SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:8
Yo conozco tus obras: he aquí, he dado la puerta abierta delante de ti, y ninguno la puede cerrar; porque tienes algo de potencia, y has guardado mi Palabra, y no has negado mi Nombre.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:8
Verse 8. I have set before thee an open door] I have opened to thee a door to proclaim and diffuse my word; and, notwithstanding there are many adversaries to the spread of my Gospel, yet none of them shall be able to prevent it. Thou hast a little strength] Very little political authority or influence; yet thou hast kept my word - hast kept the true doctrine; and hast not denied my name, by taking shelter in heathenism when Christianity was persecuted. The little strength may refer either to the smallness of the numbers, or to the littleness of their grace.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. I know thy works , etc.] Good works, of faith, love, and patience; and which lay much in preaching, professing, and maintaining the pure Gospel, and in acts of charity to one another; and which were done to some degree of perfection, and with great sincerity; since this church is not complained of, that her works were not perfect before God, as the former church is: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; or which no man can shut, as read the Alexandrian copy, and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions.
This open door may design an uncommon opportunity of preaching the Gospel; and a very great freedom of mind in the preachers of it, and great attention in the hearers, whose hearts will be opened to observe, receive, and embrace it; and a very large gathering in of souls to Christ, and his churches; much and frequent preaching of the word with great success, which it will not be in the power of any creature to stop or hinder: now will the abundance of the sea, the forces of the Gentiles flow in, and the nation of the Jews shall be born at once. For thou hast a little strength ; which is not to be understood of inward spiritual strength, for of this the church in this period will have a great deal, as well as of courage and fortitude of mind, but outward power and authority: some great men, and princes of the earth, will come into the churches of Christ, even kings will come to the brightness of her rising; for now will all those prophesies have their accomplishment, which respect the secular grandeur of the church, with regard to its numbers, power, and riches; (see Isaiah 49:18-23 60:3-17). And hast kept my word ; both the commands and ordinances of Christ in practice, and that in their primitive purity, as they were delivered by Christ and his apostles, particularly baptism and the Lord's supper; which have been, one or other of them, or both, most sadly corrupted in all the periods of the churches hitherto, excepting the apostolical one, but will now be restored to their pristine purity and glory; and also the doctrines of the Gospel, which will be kept, not in memory only, but in the heart and life; they will be publicly and openly preached, professed, and defended: and hast not denied my name : Christ himself, his doctrine respecting his person, office, and grace, neither in words, nor in works, but both ways confessed and owned it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-13 - The same Lord Jesus has the key of government and authority in and ove the church. He opens a door of opportunity to his churches; he opens door of utterance to his ministers; he opens a door of entrance, open the heart. He shuts the door of heaven against the foolish, who slee away their day of grace; and against the workers of iniquity, how vai and confident soever they may be. The church in Philadelphia i commended; yet with a gentle reproof. Although Christ accepts a littl strength, yet believers must not rest satisfied in a little, but striv to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Chris can discover this his favour to his people, so that their enemies shal be forced to acknowledge it. This, by the grace of Christ, will softe their enemies, and make them desire to be admitted into communion with his people. Christ promises preserving grace in the most trying times as the reward of past faithfulness; To him that hath shall be given Those who keep the gospel in a time of peace, shall be kept by Chris in an hour of temptation; and the same Divine grace that has made the fruitful in times of peace, will make them faithful in times of persecution. Christ promises a glorious reward to the victoriou believer. He shall be a monumental pillar in the temple of God; monument of the free and powerful grace of God; a monument that shal never be defaced or removed. On this pillar shall be written the ne name of Christ; by this will appear, under whom the believer fought the good fight, and came off victorious.
Greek Textus Receptus
οιδα 1492 5758 σου 4675 τα 3588 εργα 2041 ιδου 2400 5628 δεδωκα 1325 5758 ενωπιον 1799 σου 4675 θυραν 2374 ανεωγμενην 455 5772 και 2532 ουδεις 3762 δυναται 1410 5736 κλεισαι 2808 5658 αυτην 846 οτι 3754 μικραν 3398 εχεις 2192 5719 δυναμιν 1411 και 2532 ετηρησας 5083 5656 μου 3450 τον 3588 λογον 3056 και 2532 ουκ 3756 ηρνησω 720 5662 το 3588 ονομα 3686 μου 3450
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. I have set (dedwka). Lit., I have given. For a similar phrase see Luke xii. 51.
An open door (quran ajnewgmenhn). Rev., more literally, a door opened. This is variously explained. Some refer it to the entrance into the joy of the Lord; others to the initiation into the meaning of scripture; others again to the opportunity for the mission-work of the Church. In this last sense the phrase is often used by Paul. See 1 Cor. xvi. 9; 2 Corinthians ii. 12; Col. iv. 3. Compare Acts xiv. 27. 77 I have given is appropriate, since all opportunities of service are gifts of God. See on chapter ii. 7. For thou hast (oti eceiv). Some texts make behold-shut parenthetical, and render oti that, defining thy works, etc. So Rev.
A little strength (mikran dunamin). This would mean, thou hast some power, though small. Many, however, omit the indefinite article in translating, and render thou hast little strength; i.e., thou art poor in numbers and worldly resources. So Alford, Trench, and Dsterdieck. And (kai). John's single copula instead of a particle of logical connection. See on John i. 10; vi. 46; 1 John i. 5; John viii. 20.
Hast kept my word (ethrhsav mou ton logon). Rev., rendering the aorist more strictly, didst keep. For the phrase, see John xvii. 6,8.
