Lessons in Greek
By Elisabeth Duckworth
Today's Greek words: the Seven Names of Jesus, Revelation 3:7.
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, The words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one will shut, Who shuts and no one opens. – Revelation 3:7
The city of Philadelphia was the newest of the seven cities addressed in Revelation. It was founded ca 150 BC, approximately 200 years before the New Testament era. The founder, Attalus II, was famous for rejecting a lucrative offer from Rome in exchange for betraying his brother, Eumenes II. Attalus chose loyalty to his brother thus earning the nickname “Philadelphus” – brother lover. Like the other Revelation churches, Philadelphia is located inland in modern Turkey. Its closest neighbour was Sardis (Revelation 3:1). Archaeology reveals heavy Macedonian cultural and religious influences, including cultic shrines to at least ten Greek gods and goddesses. It was home to a stadium, theatre, and fortress walls. The modern city, Alasehir, has covered or destroyed most of the ancient remains of the city.
Holy One (Agios αγιος) – Someone or something called agios is considered dedicated or set aside for the service and worship of the gods. A holy one is sacred, venerated, hallowed, and revered as being perfectly real. When Paul addresses Christians in his letters, he calls them agios ones (usually translated as “saints”), holy, sacred people dedicated to God and hallowed (root “holy”) or “sanctified” (root “saint”) by Him.
True One (Alethinos αληθινος) – Α true one is someone or something who is true to or deserving of their role or title. Such a person is genuine, real, or actual (as opposed to the false teachers who wormed their way into early churches bringing fake, fictional, or imaginary doctrines with them). A true one can be relied on for speaking, doing, and being what is true, truthful, honest, accurate, and genuine.
Opens (Anoigo ανοιγω) – In many ways, the word to open is a straight forward one. It simply means to open doors, gates, windows, enclosures, rooms, books, etc. But in the New Testament, to open is used in reference to eyes, mouth, ears (when Jesus heals the deaf or blind). Christians open their mouth to sing or speak the gospel news. The heavens are opened for Stephen when he is being stoned enabling him to see Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). In Revelation 5:1-14, John describes a magnificent scene where the Lamb, the Lion of Judah, is the only One worthy to open the scroll bound with the seven seals. “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain and by Your blood you ransomed for God people from every tribe and language and nation…” (Revelation 5:9)
Shuts (Kleio κλειω) – In like manner, the one who has the authority to open, also has the right to shut or close up again. The Greek word kleio implies not just closing something, but to close it by barring or locking doors or gates, to blockade, seal tight, imprison, to bind with an oath. It is also used to describe closing one's eyes in sleep (or death), and to close one's mouth.
Key (Klein κλεις) – Sharp-witted readers will have noticed the similarity in spelling between the verb to shut (kleio) and the noun key (kleis). A kleis is used to describe the bar or bolt on a door or gate as well as the key used to unlock the bolt. Kleis is also used figuratively in reference to control of access to counsels, war, love, marriage, and knowledge. Jesus holds the key of David. He is not only the “Root of David” (Revelation 5:5, 22:16), but also assumes under His status as king the full role of chief steward of the royal household. The chief steward controls entrance into the royal palace and, hence, to the royal presence. It is Jesus who controls who may enter into the household of God.
Next time we'll look at Laodicea, the seventh and final church in our look at the Seven Names of Jesus, Revelation 3:14
