Revelation 2:8-9

To the Church in Smyrna

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.

[2:8]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.

[2:8]  ² tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.

[2:8]  ³ tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.

[2:8]  ⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.

[2:9]  ⁵ tn Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).

[2:9]  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.

[2:9]  ⁷ tn The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

[2:9]  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).