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Revelation 3:7-9 ESV
To the Church in Philadelphia
7 “And 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.
8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
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The city of Philadelphia was named after the king of Pergamum, Attalus Philadelphus, who had built it. He gave the city his name because of his love and loyalty to his brother.1 “Philadelphus” is similar to the Greek word philadelphia, meaning “brotherly love,” which occurs seven times in the Bible.2 A brotherly love shows a great bond between them. Not only was the city named “The City of Brotherly Love,” but Jesus says to the church in Philadelphia that He has loved them.
I can’t help but picture the Apostle John writing these words, possibly smiling as he thinks about how in his gospel, he referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” (John 13:23)
How do you feel when someone says they love you? How about if they make that proclamation to a roomful of others? When we know we are deeply loved, it motivates us to love others deeply. It’s contagious.
Where else is this Greek word, Philadelphia, used in the Bible?
Romans 12:10 ESV
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 ESV
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more.
Hebrews 13:1 ESV
Let brotherly love continue.
1 Peter 1:22 ESV
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflect: Think about God’s deep love for you. Pray and ask Him to bring to mind an image, a memory, or maybe a verse that reminds you how much you are loved by Him. Take time to sit with Him in that place and experience His love. As you go throughout your day, intentionally love others with a sincere brotherly love. What would it look like to “Outdo one another in showing honor”?
1 Osborne, G. R. (2002). Revelation (p. 184). Baker Academic.
2 Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 939). Victor Books