Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Thy tribulation and thy poverty (sou thn qliyin kai ptwxeian). Separate articles of same gender, emphasizing each item. The tribulation was probably persecution, which helped to intensify the poverty of the Christians (James 2:5; 1 Corinthians 1:26; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 8:2). In contrast with the wealthy church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17).
But thou art rich (alla plousiov ei). Parenthesis to show the spiritual riches of this church in contrast with the spiritual poverty in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17), this a rich poor church, that a poor rich church. Rich in grace toward God (Luke 12:21) and in good deeds (1 Timothy 6:18). Perhaps Jews and pagans had pillaged their property (Hebrews 10:34), poor as they already were.
Blasphemy (blasfhmian). Reviling believers in Christ. See Mark 7:22. The precise charge by these Jews is not indicated, but see Acts 13:45.
Of them which say (ek twn legontwn). "From those saying" (ek with the ablative plural of the present active articular participle of legw).
They are Jews (Ioudaiouv einai eautouv). This is the accusative of general reference and the infinitive in indirect discourse after legw (Acts 5:36; Acts 8:9) even though legontwn is here ablative (cf. Revelation 3:9), common idiom. These are actual Jews and only Jews, not Christians.
And they are not (kai ouk eisin). Another parenthesis like that in Revelation 2:2. These are Jews in name only, not spiritual Jews (Galatians 6:15 f., Romans 2:28).
A synagogue of Satan (sunagwgh tou Satana). In Revelation 3:9 again and note Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:24, serving the devil (John 8:44) instead of the Lord (Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Revelation 1:6
Revelation 2:2
Revelation 3:8
Revelation 3:9
Revelation 3:17
Revelation 7:4
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