2:8 “To 1 the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: 2
“This is the solemn pronouncement of 3 the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but 4 came to life: 2:9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering 5 and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know 6 the slander against you 7 by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue 8 of Satan.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.
2 tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.
3 tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.
5 tn Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).
6 tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “I also know” to link this English sentence back to “I know” at the beginning of the verse.
7 tn The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
8 sn A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59).