The Letter to the Church in Ephesus
The letter to the church in Ephesus is one of seven messages from Jesus to churches in Asia Minor found in Revelation 2:1–7. This letter commends the church for its hard work and perseverance but also challenges them to return to their first love.
Scripture Reference
Revelation 2:1–7 (NIV)
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Background of Ephesus
- Ephesus was a significant city in the Roman Empire, known for its bustling trade and as a center of worship for Artemis (Diana).
- The city was home to a strong Christian community, established by Paul (Acts 19). Timothy and later John the Apostle are believed to have ministered there.
Message to the Church in Ephesus
1. Commendation for Hard Work and Faithfulness (Revelation 2:2–3)
- Jesus praises the Ephesian church for their deeds, hard work, and perseverance.
- They were discerning, identifying false apostles and rejecting heresy, including the practices of the Nicolaitans (a heretical group promoting immorality and compromise).
- Reflection: What can we learn from the Ephesians’ dedication to truth and their perseverance in the face of challenges?
2. The Rebuke: Forsaking Their First Love (Revelation 2:4)
- Despite their diligence, Jesus reproves them for abandoning their “first love,” likely their passionate devotion to Him and their love for others.
- This indicates a shift from heartfelt worship to mechanical religious duty.
- Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where your love for Christ has grown cold or routine?
3. The Call to Repent and Return (Revelation 2:5)
- Jesus urges the Ephesians to remember where they once were, repent of their coldness, and return to their original love and works.
- Without repentance, their “lampstand” (church) would be removed, symbolizing the loss of their witness and effectiveness.
- Reflection: How can you renew your love for Christ and rekindle the passion of your faith?
4. Promise to the Victorious (Revelation 2:7)
- Jesus promises that those who overcome will eat from the “tree of life” in the paradise of God, a symbol of eternal life and restored fellowship with Him.
- Reflection: How does this promise inspire you to remain faithful and rekindle your love for Christ?
Themes in the Ephesus Letter
- Love and Devotion
- True faith is not only about right doctrine and good works but also about a deep, personal love for Christ.
- Perseverance in Truth
- Discernment and rejection of false teaching are vital for a faithful church.
- Call to Repentance
- Even a faithful church can lose its spiritual fervor and needs to be vigilant in maintaining its love for Christ.
- Reward for Faithfulness
- The promise of eternal life reminds believers of the ultimate goal of their faith.
Practical Applications
- Evaluate Your Love for Christ
- Reflect on your spiritual life: Is your love for Jesus as vibrant as it was when you first believed?
- Guard Against Routine Religion
- Avoid letting your faith become merely about duty or knowledge. Strive for heartfelt devotion and joy in serving Christ.
- Repent and Rekindle
- If you feel distant from God, remember His grace, repent, and return to acts of love, worship, and service.
- Stay Faithful in Doctrine and Practice
- Hold fast to truth, discern false teachings, and live out your faith in action.
Discussion Questions
- How can a church maintain a balance between doctrinal purity and passionate devotion to Christ?
- What does it look like to “return to your first love” in practical terms?
- How does the promise of the tree of life encourage you to remain faithful?
Poem,The Letter to Ephesus
O Ephesus, once burning bright,
Your lampstand glowed with holy light.
Your deeds of toil, your patient fight,
Against what’s false, your zeal was right.
You’ve tested those who falsely claim,
To bear My truth, to speak My name.
Your steadfast heart, your patient pace,
Have borne the trials, stood in grace.
Yet one thing now I hold to you,
A love once fresh, now faint, untrue.
The passion lost, the fire grown dim,
Your first love’s song, no longer hymn.
Remember then from where you’ve strayed,
The heights of love where once you stayed.
Repent, return, and do the deeds,
Of hearts consumed by love that leads.
Or else, beware, your lamp may fall,
Extinguished flame, no light at all.
Unless you turn, embrace My voice,
And make again your love My choice.
To those who conquer, hear this word:
The tree of life shall be conferred.
In paradise, its fruit you’ll eat,
A victory sweet, a love complete.
O Ephesus, rekindle fire,
Let love for Me be your desire.
For in My arms, your rest is true,
Come back, dear church, I wait for you.