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1 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things says he, who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: 2 I know your works, and your labour, and your patience, and how you can not bear them that are evil, and you have tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: 3 And you have patience, and have endured for my name, and have not fainted. 4 But I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. 5 Be mindful therefore from whence you are fallen: and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to you, and will move your candlestick out of its place, except you do penance. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaites, which I also hate. 7 He, that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him, that overcomes, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God.


2:1 angel of the church in Ephesus: That is, its bishop. Moreover, the expositors commonly say it was Timothy, the disciple of Paul. St. Timothy was the apostle over all the bishops of Asia, nevertheless he mostly stayed in Ephesus. (Nicholas of Lyra) The bishop is said to be an angel because of his innocence of the heart, and the chastity of the body. (St. Albert the Great)  Or each church has its own guardian angel. (St. Gregory the Great) He addresses the Church through an angel; somewhat in the same manner as if any one should address a pupil who is undergoing instruction, through the medium of his teacher; since teachers are sometimes wont to transfer to themselves what pertains to their pupils, whether it be their errors or their distinguished actions ; for they endeavor to render their disciples as far as possible like to themselves. (St. Andrew of Caesarea) 

Ephesus: The Church at Ephesus was the metropolis among the seven Churches of Asia.  And for that reason, he writes to the Ephesian bishop first as if Ephesus were more worthy. (Hugh of St. Cher) 

who holds: That is, He does not desert them even though they have sinned, but He guards them so that they may not be lost altogether. (Hugh of St. Cher)  

right hand: With the right hand means His mercy. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  He shields them with His mercy from sin.  The Gloss says, 'yet if they sin, He still does not release them.' (St. Albert the Great)  

walks in the midst: The same as if he should say, he who walks in the midst of you scrutinizes the hearts and the reins of each. Since therefore he walks amidst candlesticks of this kind, he watches the light of each to see how it shines. (Rupert of Deutz)


2:2 I know your works: That is, I approve.  labors and your patience: Namely, they did not murmur because of the delayed reward. (St. Martin of Leon) 

labors: That is tribulation, in which is a great labor, but the expectation of reward relieves the trouble... and according to the Gloss, this is the voluntary endurance of tribulation. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Obviously these works are to labor in the rule of the Catholic faith, to exercise patience in this labor, even when disputing against perverse dogmas, the wicked fabricators of which are so many and so loquacious, that you can not endure them; such as were Marcion, Cerinthus, and many other heretics. (Rupert of Deutz) 

you cannot bear them: That is, in their congregation or their diocese.  you have tried them: Namely, you have probed their teachings. (St. Martin of Leon)  Also the way they live, and their doctrines. (St. Albert the Great)  At the time when John was in exile in Asia, there arose Marcion, Cerinthus, and Ebion, whose faith and teaching were found to be false by their bishop. (Hugh of St. Cher)  

who say they are apostles but are not: That is, they said that they had been sent by God.  They did this to make it easier to deceive. (St. Martin of Leon)  He is referring to the followers of Cerinthus, who were contemporaries of John and were preachers of profane doctrines. (Oecumenius)  They imposed themselves under the name of the apostles to deceive or make a financial gain. (Hugh of St. Cher)


2:3 have endured: That is, not yielded to, for it was not for worldly gain, but for the glory of Christ that they took on the fight. (Hugh of St. Cher) 

have not fainted:  That is, they held fast to correct doctrine. (St. Martin of Leon)



2:4 have somewhat against you: Here He sets down a reproach, but as Haimo says, it is not directed to the bishop himself but some of those who were under him.  Therefore Haimo says, 'Before, He was talking to the saints, now He is talking to the reprobates.'  That is to say, against your bad subjects, who are with you... For the Gloss says, 'The priest Eli, who was good, was condemned, because he refused to correct his children (1 Sam 2).' (St. Albert the Great) 

have left your first love: This means the first warmth that moves within us through the grace of God, but which one abandons. (Bulus al-Bushi)  As Gregory says in Morals on Job 19, 'Some people, while time goes by, suffer loss of virtue.' (St. Thomas Aquinas) Though it is not to be believed that he fell from grace, but from a certain state of fervor, where he had formerly been before he was tried. (Hugh of St. Cher)  To become numb. (St. Albert the Great) 


2:5 move your candlestick out of its place: That is, I will move the church that is committed to you, from its place, which is from your control.  I will then take that church and hand to another to govern.  Or I will remove the miracles and spiritual gifts by which each candlestick is established, which in itself shines and gives light to others. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Victorinus, who thus explains the words; ' I will remove your candlestick out of his place; I will disperse your congregation.' Andrew, however, has perhaps explained the words still more aptly as follows: ' I will remove your candlestick, I will throw the church into billows and storms.' The explanation of Nicholas of Lyra looks the same way; 'I will withdraw from obedience to you those who are under your authority'. (Luis of Alcazar) 

except you do penance: Notice that without repentance there is no salvation for the wicked. ' but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish (Lk 13:3).' (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Not only make a resolution, not only accept, not only make promises, but do.  For Luke 3:8 says, 'Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of penance.'  For Haimo says, 'Unless you do penance, you will move out of the company faithful.'  Psalm 51:7 'Therefore will God destroy you for ever: he will pluck you out etc.'  Haimo also says, even though he, who sins, yet, if he has done a perfect penance, does not lose the degree of his former dignity.  Although Peter sinned, he did not lose his Apostolic grade (Mt 26:75). (St. Albert the Great)



2:6 hate the deeds: Where its justly to love goodness, so its praiseworthy to hate evil.  Hence the Psalm 97:10 says, 'You that love the LORD, hate evil.' (Hugh of St. Cher)  

Nicolaites: they made their appearance and lasted for a very short time. They boasted that the author of their sect was Nicolaus, one of the deacons who, with Stephen, were appointed by the apostles for the purpose of ministering to the poor Acts 6:5. St. Clement of Alexandria, in the third book of his Stromata, relates the following things concerning him. "They say that he had a beautiful wife, and after the ascension of the Saviour, being accused by the apostles of jealousy, he led her into their midst and gave permission to any one that wished to marry her. For they say that this was in accord with that saying of his, that one ought to abuse the flesh. And those that have followed his heresy, imitating blindly and foolishly that which was done and said, commit fornication without shame." (Eusebius of Caesarea) And the Nicolaitans are reported to have put forth some fabulous and almost heathen statements concerning the beginning of the world, and not to have kept their food separate from things offered to idols. (St. Bede)


2:7 that has an ear: This is said to the angel in Ephesus, but its also applied to others in general. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  He who has ears, that is, listen in order to obey and to understand.  Hence James 1:22 says, 'be doers of the word, and not hearers only.' (Hugh of St. Cher)  Or, that is, a spiritual understanding.  hear what the Spirit says: namely, the most Holy Trinity, because 'God is a spirit (Jn 4:24).' (St. Martin of Leon)  Or this is said to indicate that the vision is spiritual and not material. (St. Albert the Great)

to the churches: Through the words to the churches, which is in the plural, it is clear that John does not speak of the church, as only one alone, but to everyone in general. Many have ears but do not hear what he speaks of the spirit. (Hugh of St. Cher)  Previously, he was speaking in particular, now the churches in general. (St. Thomas Aquinas) 

overcomes: Namely, overcomes the world, the flesh, the devil, because they move towards diverse battles, 'we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers (Eph 6:12).  The world is overcome by faith, 'this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 Jn 5:4). (Hugh of St. Cher)  

to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God: This tree of life is Christ himself: 'He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me: and I in him (Jn 6:57).'  (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Or the Tree of Life is Sacred Scripture. (Hugh of St. Cher)   Or the phrase is figurative, for by the tree of life he means the blessed and eternal life, which the saints will enjoy in the kingdom of God, which he has called Paradise. (Oecumenius) Or the Church is to be regarded as paradise, and the tree of life is the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Church and in the spiritual paradise which gives the faithful food of life and the Sacrament of the celestial bread. (Tyconius) 

paradise: Namely, in eternal life, or in the Church Triumphant. (St. Albert the Great) Or that is, in the Church Militant; which is a paradise for the lovers of God... And well in this paradise is said to be a tree, because there is no salvation outside of the Church Sacrament, just as there is neither salvation.  my God: As if to say, what my Father planted: in which Christ, according to His humanity, calls Him His God. (St. Thomas Aquinas)



8 And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive: 9 I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich: and you are blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which you shall suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death: and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He, that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt by the second death.



2:8 angel of the church in Smyrna: This was commonly held by the doctors to be St. Polycarp. (Nicholas of Lyra) Polycarp was not only instructed by the Apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by the apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna. (St. Irenaeus of Lyons)

first: That is, there is none before Him, which is against the Arians, who say that Christ is a pure creature.  last: Because there is none after Him, which is also against the Arians. (Hugh of St. Cher)   dead: to redeem us from death. (St. Albert the Great)  Which is against the Manicheans, who say that He did not rise again. alive: which is to give us the hope of us rising again. (Hugh of St. Cher)



2:9 tribulation: Not one, but multiple.  Psalm 33:20 says, 'Many are the afflictions of the just.' (St. Albert the Great)

poverty: It may also be understood by this as voluntary poverty, of which the Lord says in the Gospel, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3).' (St. Ambrosius Autpertus)   

you are rich: Rich in growth of virtue and spiritual goods in the hope of reward, even though you are poor in temporal matters; you are rich in heaven, even though poor in the world. (Hugh of St. Cher)  Or rich in conscience, even though poor in money.  Or rich in faith, poor in a temporal reality. (St. Albert the Great)

blasphemed: That is, to belittle and blame. (St. Albert the Great)

say their Jews but are not: That is, they say they are literally the sons of Abraham... Note, that these men have tried to stir up the Gentiles to the persecution of Christians. (St. Albert the Great)  Or they confess the name of the Catholic Faith and appearing to be brethren and members of the Church, but they are not.  For Titus 1:16 says, 'They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him.'  (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Therefore the true Jews and the spiritual Israel would be those who confess Christ, “He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. Rom. 2:29” as Paul says. (Oecumenius) In the city of Smyrna many Jews lived who encouraged the Gentiles to persecute the Christians. In this persecution many were not only robbed of their things but also crowned with martyrdom- among whom Polycarp was thrown into the fire, and when the fire did not harm him, he was struck with a sword and departed to God. (Eusebius of Caesarea)

synagogue of Satan: That is, a congregation of Satan, namely which Satan himself has gathered.  Or they are subjected to Satan.  Satan means 'adversary'.  For 1 Peter 5:8 says, 'Your adversary the devil.' (St. Thomas Aquinas)  They are those who oppose the congregation of the good. Of this congregation Sirach 21:10 says, 'The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.' (Hugh of St. Cher)  It means they have held to the way of error and have abandoned the truth. Satan triumphed over them when God abandoned His care of them because of their unbelief. (Bulus al-Bushi)


2:10 fear none of those things: Namely, the tribulation, poverty, blasphemies, and other things which you shall suffer...  It is well, therefore, he says: Fear none of these things, which you shall suffer, whether it be in matters of poverty, whether in corporeal tribulations, whether it be wrongfully blamed.  Mt. 20:28, 'Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can not kill the soul.'   And Paul in Acts 20:24 'But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself.' (Hugh of St. Cher)

the devil: by using his own followers, by using suggestions, by his own hands, in order to carry it out. (St. Albert the Great)

prison: That is, tribulation, which is like a prison to one who is afflicted. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Haimo says, 'Prison is the name that stands for every trial which the saints have suffered by the devil.' (St. Albert the Great) 

may be tried: That is to try them through trial, as gold is tried by fire.  Sirach 27:6 says, 'The furnace tries the potter's vessels, and the trial of affliction just men.'  Or that is, cleanse us from the rust of sins.  Proverbs 25:4 says, 'Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel.' (St. Albert the Great)

ten days: That is, during the whole time of the present life, by which the life of man ought to be exercised in the Ten Commandments.  Or that is to say, at the time that proceeded under the ten leaders at Rome, who are signified by the beast mentioned by Daniel 7:7 that had ten horns.  Or many days, a finite number used to describe an infinite amount of days. (St. Albert the Great)

Or the 10 days may be literal, and the time mentioned in the letter called The Martyrdom of St. Polycarp.  The ten days might have ended when St. Polycarp was martyred on Febuary 22, 156AD. The Church of Smyrna wrote, "We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution, having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his martyrdom. (Martyrdom of St. Polycarp 1.1)."

be faithful: in all the suffering with bravery... As St. Bernard says, 'What good is it to run the course and fail before the goal?' (St. Thomas Aquinas)

until death: As if to say, you do not abandon the faith even unto death.  For Sirach 4:33 says. 'Strive for justice for your soul, and even unto death fight for justice.' (St. Albert the Great)

crown of life: In other words 'those who endure to the end shall be saved.' Mt 10:22 (Oecumenius)  Life without end, which is marked in the crown of which is circular, and a circle has no beginning nor end.  Or, namely royal, for kings are usually crowned.  This will be a crown of God Himself, or His vision. (St. Albert the Great)



2:11has an ear: Namely, prompt intellect and fit for discernment. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

that overcomes: He that overcomes the world, the flesh, the devil, as was said above. (Hugh of St. Cher)


second death: The first death is the death of the soul in sin, the second is the pains of hell. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  The first is the separation of the soul from the body, the second is eternal damnation. (St. Albert the Great)  Whoever, therefore, does not want to be hurt by the second death, he should seek to be healed here from the injury of the first death. (Hugh of St. Cher)  Note that sin is death, for Wisdom 1:12 says, 'Seek not death in the error of your life.' (St. Albert the Great)
 



12 And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things, says he, that has the sharp two edged sword: 13 I know where you dwell, where the seat of Satan is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith. Even in those days when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have against you a few things: because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat, and to commit fornication: 15 So have you also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites. 16 In like manner do penance: if not, I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He, that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches: To him that overcomes, I will give the hidden manna, and will give him a white counter, and in the counter, a new name written, which no man knows, but he that receives it.

Catechism Cross-reference 2:16 1429; 2:17 1025, 2159
Bible Cross-References 2:14: Numbers 24:2. 25:2.


2:12 angel: The bishop of Pergamum according to Apostolic Constitutions 7.46 was St. Gaius.

two-edged sword: Namely, the divine word, or sentence of the judiciary.  It says two-edged, which is said to those who lived before the time of grace and those after... Or that is, of the doctrine of Balaam, and of the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, of whom there were both in this diocese. (Hugh of St. Cher)  The sword is two-edged, as well for other reasons because it lays open not only the faults of works, but also unlawful thoughts. (St. Ambrosius Autpertus) Or it is meant the doctrine of the Gospel, which circumcises the hearts of believers, and separates believers from unbelievers. (St. Andrew of Caesarea)


2:13 seat of Satan: That is, a bad group, who you and everyone of the good are opposed to.  In that group is where the devil sits.  For Job 40:16 says, 'He sleeps under the shadow,' that is, in the shadow of the greedy who seek only worldly things. (St. Albert the Great)  The seat of the pestilence may signify confirmed habits of vice; likewise the perverse doctrine of heretics, which is truly pestilential. The seat of the beast is the church of the evil and the throne of the devil, which is to the north. The seat of the beast is also a very seat itself, upon which devils and heretics rest themselves. (Rupert of Deutz)

you hold fast my name: by resisting the arguments of the heretics, where my name is being blasphemed.  Or from whom people say you are a Christian, and you stand firm. (St. Albert the Great)

Antipas: Antipas was Bishop of Pergamum; was brought before an image of Caesar and told to confess that Caesar was God. When he refused, the Roman official said, "Antipas, don't you know that the whole world is against you?," to which he replied, "Then Antipas is against the whole world!" Antipas was then placed inside of a brass bull which was heated with fire until he was roasted to death. (Symeon Metaphrastes)  Bernard says, 'Some people say this was a martyr of Pergamum, others understand this to be the Lord Jesus, by the unbelievers, who by within themselves lies slain.'  Haimo says that he was a martyr for the Church in Pergamum.  Note, Antipas is interpreted as giving the way, which signifies martyrdom, by means of which there is a way to the kingdom of heaven.  Or, it signifies that the killers of the martyrs gave them death, through which they would pass out of this world into Heaven, and so on. (St. Albert the Great)

was slain among you: And therefore you ought to be reinforced by the example of his.  And there is no wonder if he was killed among them, that there were many evil people there.  Hence it follows, where the seat of Satan is, that is, where there is a congregation of the wicked, in which the devil is sitting, and is at home. (Hugh of St. Cher)



2:14 you have there: That is, in your diocese. (St. Albert the Great)

doctrine of Balaam: Not in reality, but in similitude. (Nicholas of Lyra) As Balaam taught Balak how to deceive the children of Israel, causing them to fornicate with women, and to administer and partake of the sacrifices offered to idols; so Nicholas and Nicolaitans preached indiscriminately to fornicate with women and eat things sacrificed to idols.  For Balaam was a false prophet, from which is also called a soothsayer, though he did prophesy many truths, Numbers 24:17, 'A star shall rise out of Jacob.'  For God can predict the future through the wicked at anytime. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Figuratively Balaam means idle people, and signifies the heretics.  Balak is interpreted 'destroy' and it signifies the princes of the world. (Hugh of St. Cher)

eat: Namely food sacrificed to idols, in which the charge is the sin of gluttony,  commit fornication: Namely, the veneration of idols, in which the charge is the sin of lust.  These two sins are connected, that is, lust and gluttony... In this way, there were some in the Church of Pergamum, who taught to commit fornication, and to eat of the sacrifices to idols. (St. Albert the Great)


2:15 doctrine of the Nicolaites: Who taught that all women were open to be used by all.  And in the statement, 'them that hold,' this shows the persistence in their sin. (St. Albert the Great)



2:16 in like manner: Meaning similar to what he said to the bishop of Ephesus (Rev 2:5).  Or meaning to do contrary to their sin... Or the penalty equals the guilt of the sin. (St. Albert the Great)

I will come to you quickly: That is, soon you will feel the wrath of my coming.  Isaiah 16:5 says, 'quickly rendering that which is just.'  I will come to you, namely, against you.  quickly, that is to say, in death, or sudden onset.  On the contrary, Sirach 5:4 says, 'The Most High is a patient rewarder.'  I answer, it is quick by reason of the brevity of the present life.  (St. Albert the Great)

sword of my mouth: That is, in the sentence which he brings forth. (St. Thomas Aquinas)



2:17 hidden manna: That is Christ Himself, who says in Jn. 6, “Truly truly I say to you, it was Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from Heaven.” And it is added, “I am the bread of Life.” This is the Heavenly manna that refreshes the saints inside and outside. (Nicholas of Lyra)  Namely, Christ, who is the bread of angels: and therefore He became a man, so that man could eat the bread of angels. (St. Albert the Great)  Or the hidden manna is immortality. (Cornelius a Lapide)  Or is called the Holy Spirit, of which the Psalmist says (67:11), 'in your sweetness, O God, you have provided for the poor.'  Hidden, because Christ was hidden in the figures of the law by means of signification, in human flesh for our redemption, in the Sacrament of the altar for our consolation. (St. Albert the Great)

white stone: That is, the glorified body. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  According to Ambrose the white stone is the pure and bright uncontaminated doctrine of Christ. (Cornelius a Lapide) Or it is adoption to be the son of God. (St. Victorinus of Pettau)  Or eternal contemplation. (St. Albert the Great)

new name That is, the title of a son, or friends, not servant, that is the old name.  John 15:15, 'no longer call you servants, for the servant knows not what his lord does: But I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my Father I have made known unto you.' (Hugh of St. Cher) This new name can be understood as immortality, which is understood in a way that the immortality is complete, and it excludes all manner of concupiscence.  Or, that is, new name meaning Christian, which is the name of newness...  For when someone is said to be a Christian from Christ, he ought in himself represent the new life in Christ, so that his life is not the life of old, but acceptable to newness. Eph. 4:24, 'And put on the new man, who according to God, and so forth.' (St. Thomas Aquinas)  St. Bernard understands " a new thing, a new and unheard of gift, consolation from heavenly goods and their abundance. (Cornelius a Lapide) Or the white stone is the body which is now made white by baptism, and is then refulgent with the glory of incorruption. (St. Bede)

written: That is, firmly and clearly apparent; because the Christian ought to live just with his body through right actions and enduring suffering; and that in itself is evidence to be truly Christian, not only by name, but through the strength and the life and holiness. 1 Peter 4:16, 'but let him glorify God in that name.' (St. Thomas Aquinas)

which no man knows but he that receives it: No one fully knows but he that knows in itself through the experience of it. (St. Thomas Aquinas)





18 And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like to a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass. 19 I know your works, and your faith, and your charity, and your ministry, and your patience, and your last works which are more than the former. 20 But I have against you a few things: because you suffer the woman Jezabel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her a time that she might do penance, and she will not repent of her fornication. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed: and they that commit adultery with her shall be in very great tribulation, except they do penance from their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he that searches the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say, 24 And to the rest who are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will not put upon you any other burthen. 25 Yet that, which you have, hold fast till I come. 26 And he that shall overcome, and keep my works to the end, I will give him power over the nations. 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and as the vessel of a potter they shall be broken, 28 As I also have received of my Father: and I will give him the morning star. 29 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Bible Cross-References 23: 1 Sam 16:7.; Psalm 7:10.; Jeremiah 11:20. 17:10. 20:12.


2:18 angel of the church of Thyatira: Some (namely Alexander) call this angel St. Irenaeus who illuminated the church in Thyatira all the way to Lyons. However he was not a contemporary of St. John. Therefore I submit myself to better judgment, it seems to me that it was another bishop of lesser reputation and a contemporary of St. John. (Nicholas of Lyra)

son of God: He was mentioned above (Rev 1:13) as the son of man, this was done in order to show that they are the same. (Hugh of St. Cher)

who has eyes: That is, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (St. Albert the Great)  Or eyes of the Lord are the doctors and bishops, who watch over the whole body of believers.  Of these are who the Song of Songs 5:12 says, 'His eyes as doves upon brooks of waters, which are washed with milk, and sit beside the plentiful streams.' (Hugh of St. Cher)

flame of fire: That is, gleaming and penetrating, in which John says in order to terrify the wicked at Thyatira, whose sins may be seen by the Son of God.  Sirach 23:28, 'The eyes of the Lord are much more brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men.' (Hugh of St. Cher)  Or namely, in order to enlighten their understanding, and kindle their love.  For some, the gifts are to enlighten, for others its to inflame.  Because of this, it is said, Daniel 10:6, 'and his eyes as a burning lamp.'  Or, who enlightens their intellect, inflames their love, and consumes all that is evil. (St. Albert the Great)

feet like unto fine brass: That is, agile feet, as if John is saying, the Lord sees all our sins, and He shall come quickly to judgment.  Also his feet are preachers, as Haimo says, who bear the consequences of Christ and preached throughout the whole world. Of which Is. 52:7 says, 'How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, and that preaches peace.' (Hugh of St. Cher)



2:19 First come works, then charity, after this faith is inferred ; when nevertheless the first thing is to believe, afterwards what one believes to love, then that which belief and love compel us to do, namely, to work. (St. Ambrosius Autpertus)


2:20 you suffer the woman: For the Gloss says, 'By not excommunicating the woman.' (St. Albert the Great)

Jezebel: Probably heretical woman, who had taken upon herself to teach what she had learnt from the Nicolaitans. (Tertullian) Or it is highly probable that this Jezebel was not an individual female, but some people or sect. This opinion is not new, but is expressly followed by Tychonius, Epiphanius, Andreas, Arethas, Haimo, Bede, Aureolus, Richard, Autpertus, Thomas, and Seraphinus. These and other authors, although differing from each other in designating the people or sect, here called by the name of Jezebel, nevertheless agree in this, that she was not any particular woman, but a people or sect. (Luis of Alcazar)

seduce: That is, by leading away from the path of truth, or from the way of faith and morals. (St. Albert the Great)

to commit fornication: In the literal sense with women in a physical manner, or spiritually with demons through idolatry and other sins. (St. Albert the Great)

eat of things sacrificed to idols: That is, of the things sacrificed and offered to idols in veneration of them; also the scandal it brings to the weak brethren.  Otherwise it is not prohibited from the learned who know that an idol is nothing. (St. Albert the Great)



2:21 I gave her a time that she might do penance: Namely, of her own sins, in which this shows the excellence of God's mercy in that He wishes no one to be lost.  For Ezekiel 33:11 says, 'As I live, says the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways.'  For if there is time given to take action, then we should always be in the movement of doing penance.  For Sirach 4:23 says, 'Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.'  In the future, however, it will be the time of the Lord.  For Psalm 74:3 says, 'When I shall take a time, I will judge justices.' (St. Albert the Great)  Behold, it is very important when time is given by God to gain merit or to do penance.  It is a serious offense to try to hide and be neglectful.  For Job 24:23 says, 'God has given him place for penance, and he abuses it unto pride.' (St. Thomas Aquinas)



2:22 I will cast her into a bed: That is, to allow or permit to fall into bed with ease. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Also a bed is sickness.  For Haimo says, 'I will put him in the bed, not that he may rest, but with a fever he becomes faint and endures madness.'  Concerning this bed Psalm 41:3 says, 'The Lord help him on his bed of sorrow: you have turned all his couch in his sickness.' (Hugh of St. Cher)  Bed, that is, sinning carelessly. (St. Albert the Great) St. Ambrosius Autpertus and Primasius say that bed denotes security and impunity in sinning; in which state the sinner, being as it were at ease upon a soft couch, rushes from one sin to another, and at length into damnation. (Cornelius a Lapide)

they that commit adultery with her: That is, who are delighted to be in with heretics who imitate the error of Jezebel, and being in with them, they may make others heretics as well. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

in very great tribulation: Namely temporal punishment, or great tribulation after death. (St. Albert the Great)  Because the wicked people get worse in adversity, while the righteous get better or are purged.  Or great tribulation, that is, of Hell.  For Romans 2:9 says, 'Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that works evil.'  (St. Thomas Aquinas)

except they do penance: That is, from his past sins. For Sirach 2:22 says, 'If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.' (St. Albert the Great)  For God refrains by being merciful to those who repent from their deeds.  For Romans 2:5 says, 'But according to thy hardness and impenitent heart', and so forth. (St. Thomas Aquinas)


2:23 kill her children: Namely, her own followers. (Hugh of St. Cher)  Those are the followers of the devil who the heretics bore with bad doctrine.  Kill, that is with eternal death.  For Hosea 9:13 says, 'Ephraim shall bring out his children to the murderer.' (St. Thomas Aquinas)

all the churches: That is the whole community of the religious who have faith. (Hugh of St. Cher)

I am he that searches: That is, the thoughts and the desires in order to punish or reward. Zephaniah 1:12 says, 'I will search Jerusalem with lamps.'   Wisdom 6:4 says, 'the Most High will examine your works, and search out your thoughts.'  Psalm 7:10 says, 'the searcher of hearts and reins is God.' (Hugh of St. Cher)

according to his works: That is to say, to reward the just for his labor, and eternal damnation for the unjust. (St. Albert the Great)  That is whether good or bad. Psalm 62:12 says, 'you will render to every man according to his works.'  But one might ask why God condemns the reprobate since the Psalm 25:10 says, 'All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth.'  I answer, the Lord always rewards above what is deserved and punishes on the basis of His mercy.  Cassiodorus says in his commentary on Psalms, 'Mercy and judgment is based on a mutual partnership.' If he acted well, then good shall be repaid to him: but if you do not do well, then punishment.  Also, if the offense deserves much, much will be punished.  (St. Thomas Aquinas)




2:24 have not this doctrine: That is, that there is no salvation apart from the law, and that it is lawful to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (St. Albert the Great)

have not known: He means that their simplicity is sufficient for them. (Oecumenius)  Or they did not take it to heart or imitate. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Or approve of it. (St. Albert the Great)

depths of Satan: That is the pride of Satan, the Devil, and opposition to human salvation. Hence, Satan: for the name is interpreted as an adversary, 1 Pet. 5:8 says, 'your adversary the Devil', and so forth. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Or the depths of Satan are the deep and cunning counsels which the enemy of the human race has devised and inspired into his members, unto the perdition of many. (Francisco Ribera)

as they say: That is, some of the Jews who were saying that the Law had to be observed along with the Gospel.  On the contrary, Our Lord says that he will not send them any other burden. Whence it follows, I will put upon you none other burden, tribulation that is, or the Law, as they say. (Hugh of St. Cher)



2:25 Yet that which you have: Namely, the light yoke of the Gospel, of which Matthew 11:29 speaks about, 'Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me', etc. (St. Albert the Great)
(St. Albert Or, tribulations or the Gospel.  hold fast: patiently and faithfully.  till I come: To repay each one according to his merit. (Hugh of St. Cher) 



2:26 he that overcomes: Namely the temptations of sin. Romans 12:21 says, 'Be not overcome by evil.' (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Or to work with perseverance.  Haimo says, 'The desires of the flesh and these temptations.' (St. Albert the Great) Or their doctrines and by resisting their craftiness.  unto the end: That is, the end of his life.  my works: That which I have commanded to be done, that is, my commandments. Or, the works of mercy, which are, properly speaking, the works of Christ.  power over the nations: Of pastoral power. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Or as the Gloss says, over the men living in the nations. (Hugh of St. Cher) This is what is said in the Gospels to those who were good steward of the pounds and talents entrusted to them, “Be in charge of ten cities”; and to another, “be in charge of five cities.(Luke 19:17,19).” And in Daniel, “And the kingdom shall be given to the saints of God. (Dan. 7:22,27)” For he shows by this that same kind of rule and authority will be given to the saints over the more inferior and those in need of correction. (Oecumenius)


2:27 shall rule them with a rod of iron: That is with a rectitude of inflexible justice.  This is the use of power and its action.  they shall be broken: This is the effect, to let them perish because they did not want to follow the correct governing of the Shepherd. (St. Thomas Aquinas)  Or ruling with the rod of iron is an inflexible sentence, namely cast into Hell. (Hugh of St. Cher)  Some may be changed for the better, as needing correcting, some to be destroyed, as who won't be restored.  For Psalm 27:5 says, ' you shall destroy them, and shall not build them up.'  he shall rule them: That is, concerning the elect.  as the vessel of a potter they shall be broken: That is, regarding what was known beforehand, for Isaiah 30:13-14 says, 'for the destruction thereof shall come on a sudden, when it is not looked for.  And it shall be broken small, as the potter's vessel is broken all to pieces with mighty breaking.' (St. Albert the Great)



2:28 morning star: That is the soul, which is called a star on account of clarity, with a robe of divine knowledge.  Morning is meant as the beginning of happiness. Hence, Job 29:29, 'my glory shall always be renewed.'  Also star always dispels the darkness of night.  The glory of the soul dispels all ignorance and doubt.  Also, the morning star is said to be Christ Himself.  Just as the morning star surpasses all the stars shining, so Christ surpasses all the saints in knowledge, for John. 3:31 says, 'He that comes from above is above all.' (Hugh of St. Cher)  Or its Christ who enlightens the world... Or, its John the Baptist, who preceded the sun, that is to say, Christ.  For Job 38:32 says, 'Can you bring forth the day star in its time.'  That is, John the Baptist.  Or its every good saint who gives the light of good example.  For Daniel 12:3 says, 'But they that are learned, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity.'  Or it is the truth revealed.  For 2 Peter 1:19 says, 'until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.' (St. Albert the Great)  Or it is Satan, for the prophet Isaiah says of the Assyrian, that is, Satan, “How did the morning star which rises early in the morning fall from heaven? Is. 14:12” So he now calls him the morning star: he says, “I will make Satan subject to my servants.” This is similar to what was said by the apostle: “God will soon crush Satan under your feet. Rom. 16:20" (Oecumenius)