Czech Study Bible Translation (CZ)

1„Andělu sboru v Efesu napiš: ‚Toto praví ten, který pevně drží těch sedm hvězd ve své pravici, který se prochází uprostřed těch sedmi zlatých svícnů: 2Znám tvé skutky, tvou námahu i tvou vytrvalost; vím, že nemůžeš snést zlé lidi a vyzkoušel jsi ty, kteří se nazývají apoštoly, ale nejsou, a shledal jsi, že jsou lháři. 3Máš vytrvalost a snášel jsi těžkosti pro mé jméno, a nezemdlel jsi. 4Ale to mám proti tobě, že jsi opustil svou první lásku. 5Rozpomeň se, odkud jsi spadl, učiň pokání a začni jednat jako dřív! Ne-li, přijdu k tobě brzy a pohnu tvým svícnem z jeho místa; jestliže neučiníš pokání. 6To však máš k dobru, že nenávidíš skutky Nikolaitů, které i já nenávidím. 7Kdo má uši, slyš, co Duch praví sborům: Tomu, kdo vítězí, dám jíst ze stromu života, který je v Božím ráji.‘  8Andělu sboru ve Smyrně napiš: ‚Toto praví ten první a poslední, který byl mrtev a ožil:  9Znám tvé soužení a chudobu, ale jsi bohatý. Znám i urážení od těch, kteří sami o sobě říkají, že jsou Židé, ale nejsou, nýbrž jsou synagogou Satanovou. 10Neboj se toho, co máš trpět. Hle, Ďábel se chystá některé z vás dávat do vězení, abyste byli vyzkoušeni, a budete mít soužení po deset dní. Buď věrný až na smrt, a dám ti věnec života. 11Kdo má uši, slyš, co Duch praví sborům: Kdo vítězí, tomu druhá smrt neublíží.‘ 12Andělu sboru v Pergamu napiš: ‚Toto praví ten, který má ostrý dvousečný meč: 13Vím, kde bydlíš: tam, kde je trůn Satanův; avšak pevně držíš mé jméno a nezapřel jsi mou víru ani ve dnech, v nichž můj věrný svědek Antipas byl zabit u vás, kde bydlí Satan. 14Ale mám několik věcí proti tobě. Že tam máš lidi, kteří drží učení Balaámovo, který učil Baláka položit nástrahu před syny Izraele, aby jedli maso obětované modlám a smilnili; 15tak i ty máš některé, kteří stejně drží učení Nikolaitů. 16Učiň tedy pokání! Ne-li, brzy k tobě přijdu a budu s nimi válčit mečem svých úst. 17Kdo má uši, slyš, co Duch praví sborům: Tomu, kdo vítězí, dám skrytou manu a dám mu bílý kamének a na tom kaménku napsané nové jméno, které nezná nikdo, než ten, kdo je dostává.‘ 18Andělu sboru v Thyatirech napiš: ‚Toto praví Syn Boží, který má oči jako plamen ohně a nohy podobné bronzu: 19Znám tvé skutky a tvou lásku, věrnost a službu, tvou vytrvalost a tvé poslední skutky, hojnější než ty první. 20Ale to mám proti tobě, že trpíš ženu Jezábel, která si říká prorokyně, vyučuje a svádí mé otroky, aby smilnili a jedli maso obětované modlám. 21Dal jsem jí čas k pokání, ale ona se nechce odvrátit od svého smilstva. 22Hle, uvrhnu ji na lůžko a ty, kteří s ní cizoloží, do velkého soužení, jestliže se od jejích činů neodvrátí; 23a její děti zahubím. A všechny sbory poznají, že já jsem ten, který zkoumá ledví i srdce, a každému z vás odplatím podle vašich skutků. 24Vám ostatním v Thyatirech, kteří nemáte toto učení, kteří jste, jak oni říkají, nepoznali hluboké věci Satanovy, pravím: Nekladu na vás jiné břemeno; 25pouze držte pevně, co máte, dokud nepřijdu. 26Kdo vítězí a zachovává moje skutky až do konce, tomu dám vládu nad národy; 27bude je pást železnou berlou a budou rozbíjeny jako hliněné nádobí, 28jak jsem to i já přijal od svého Otce. A dám mu hvězdu jitřní. 29Kdo má uši, slyš, co Duch praví sborům.‘


Matthew Henry - Concise Commentary
 1   These churches were in such different states as to purity of doctrine and the power of godliness, that the words of Christ to them will always suit the cases of other churches, and professors. Christ knows and observes their state; though in heaven, yet he walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they want. The church of Ephesus is commended for diligence in duty. Christ keeps an account of every hour's work his servants do for him, and their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. But it is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience. And though we must show all meekness to all men, yet we must show just zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared. Christ is displeased with his people, when he sees them grow remiss and cold toward him. Surely this mention in Scripture, of Christians forsaking their first love, reproves those who speak of it with carelessness, and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Saviour considers this indifference as sinful. They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavour to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when they first set out in the ways of God. If the presence of Christ's grace and Spirit is slighted, we may expect the presence of his displeasure. Encouraging mention is made of what was good among them. Indifference as to truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not so; and it is displeasing to Christ. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we shall have a glorious triumph and reward. All who persevere, shall derive from Christ, as the Tree of life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness, not in the earthly paradise, but in the heavenly. This is a figurative expression, taken from the account of the garden of Eden, denoting the pure, satisfactory, and eternal joys of heaven; and the looking forward to them in this world, by faith, communion with Christ, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit. Believers, take your wrestling life here, and expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not till then: the word of God never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.

 8   Our Lord Jesus is the First, for by him were all things made; he was before all things, with God, and is God himself. He is the Last, for he will be the Judge of all. As this First and Last, who was dead and is alive, is the believer's Brother and Friend, he must be rich in the deepest poverty, honourable amidst the lowest abasement, and happy under the heaviest tribulation, like the church of Smyrna. Many who are rich as to this world, are poor as to the next; and some who are poor outwardly, are inwardly rich; rich in faith, in good works, rich in privileges, rich in gifts, rich in hope. Where there is spiritual plenty, outward poverty may be well borne; and when God's people are made poor as to this life, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all up to them in spiritual riches. Christ arms against coming troubles. Fear none of these things; not only forbid slavish fear, but subdue it, furnishing the soul with strength and courage. It should be to try them, not to destroy them. Observe, the sureness of the reward; I will give thee: they shall have the reward from Christ's own hand. Also, how suitable it is; a crown of life: the life worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with a much better life, which shall be eternal. The second death is unspeakably worse than the first death, both in the agonies of it, and as it is eternal death: it is indeed awful to die, and to be always dying. If a man is kept from the second death and wrath to come, he may patiently endure whatever he meets with in this world.

 12   The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the faith, either by open apostacy, or by giving way so as to avoid the cross. Christ commends their stedfastness, but reproves their sinful failures. A wrong view of gospel doctrine and Christian liberty, was a root of bitterness from which evil practices grew. Repentance is the duty of churches and bodies of men, as well as of particular persons; those who sin together, should repent together. Here is the promise of favour to those that overcome. The influences and comforts of the Spirit of Christ, come down from heaven into the soul, for its support. This is hidden from the rest of the world. The new name is the name of adoption; when the Holy Spirit shows his own work in the believer's soul, this new name and its real import are understood by him.

 18   Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better. All Christians should earnestly desire that their last works may be their best works. Yet this church connived at some wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments he executes; and by this upon seducers, he shows his certain knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper. Encouragement is given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled. It is dangerous to despise the mystery of God, and as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. Let us beware of the depths of Satan, of which those who know the least are the most happy. How tender Christ is of his faithful servants! He lays nothing upon his servants but what is for their good. There is promise of an ample reward to the persevering, victorious believer; also knowledge and wisdom, suitable to their power and dominion. Christ brings day with him into the soul, the light of grace and of glory, in the presence and enjoyment of him their Lord and Saviour. After every victory let us follow up our advantage against the enemy, that we may overcome and keep the works of Christ to the end.