Lessons in Greek
By Elisabeth Duckworth
Today's Greek words: the Seven Names of Jesus, Revelation 2-3
To the angel of the church in Smyrna write, “The words of the First and the Last, Who died and came to life.” – Revelation 2:8
The Church of Smyrna: The Church that Remains Faithful Amidst Persecution (Revelation 2:8-11)
The coastal city of Smyrna was ancient even by Bible standards. It was founded in the Eleventh Century BC and has been continuously occupied (and often destroyed) until present times (modern Bayrakli in Izmir, Turkiye). It featured cults to Athena, Demeter, Artemis, and Poseidon as well as Roman imperial cults. It was second only to Ephesus in wealth and prestige. Smyrna was home to a large Jewish community hostile to Christians. The Bible notes that slanderous accusations by Jews against Christians led to Christian persecution by Roman authorities (Acts 14:2, 19; Acts 17:13). Perhaps the earliest Christian graffito has been found in Smyrna: “The One Who has given the Spirit“ (ο δεδοκος πνεύμα).
Christ's revelation to the church of Smyrna commends the community for its material poverty but its spiritual wealth, and acknowledges its wrongful persecution (Revelation 2:9). Christ does not reprimand this church but warns of impending imprisonment for some of its members, urging them to remain faithful “even to the point of death” and remember the promise of their “victor's crown” (Revelation 2:10).
Vocabulary:
- Words (ta de; τα δε) – the things.
- The First (o protos; ο πρωτος) – foremost, in the front ranks, forefront; first in a sequence, earlier; original; fundamental; best, highest. We see examples of the proto- prefix in such English words as prototype, protoplasm, protocol, protein, etc.
- The Last (o eschatos; ο εσχατος) – farthest in distance, at the extreme edge, remotest; earliest edge of day; last in a sequence; at the back, last, final, the last possible; most recent. English example using eschato- prefix: eschatology. The phrase “the First and the Last” is a direct reference to God. In Isaiah 44:6, God says, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides me.’” This verse highlights God's divine nature and suggests that He is the only true God. By using this phrase in Revelation 2:8 the speaker is equating himself with God and emphasizing his divine nature.
- Who Died (os egeneto nekros; ος εγενετο νεκρός) – The Greek is a little more graphic than the English “died”. The Greek says “He who became a dead body” or corpse. This places an important emphasis on the fact that Jesus actually and fully died; He became a dead corpse. English words include necromancy, necrophilia, necrotising, etc.
- Came to Life (ezesen; εζησεν) – In contrast to “becoming a corpse”, this descriptor emphasizes that the Jesus who was a dead thing became a living, animate, existing being; part of the here and now; valid and having an effect. The root of this word zoe- is found in the English zoology, zoo, zoomorphic, zooplankton, protozoa, etc.
The phrase “died and came to life” is a clear reference to Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and was resurrected three days later. In Revelation 1:18, Jesus himself says, “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.“ This verse confirms that the speaker in Revelation 2:8 is none other than Jesus Christ.
The combination of the phrases “the First and the Last” and “who died and came to life” creates a paradoxical statement that emphasizes the divine and human nature of Jesus. This paradoxical nature is a significant theme in the New Testament, and it highlights the mystery and complexity of Jesus' identity. By using this phrase in Revelation 2:8, the speaker is emphasizing his divine nature and his role as the Messiah.
~ Next time Revelation 2:12-17 The Church in Pergamum
