Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Revelation 3:5 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Re 3:5	Strong Concordance	He that overcometh [3528], the same [3778] shall be clothed [4016] in [1722] white [3022] raiment [2440]; and [2532] I will [1813] not [3364] blot out [1813] his [846] name [3686] out of [1537] the book [976] of life [2222], but [2532] I will confess [1843] his [846] name [3686] before [1799] my [3450] Father [3962], and [2532] before [1799] his [846] angels [32].
	King James	He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
white--not a dull white, but glittering, dazzling white [GROTIUS]. Compare Mat 13:43. The body transfigured into the likeness of Christ's body, and emitting beams of light reflected from Him, is probably the "white raiment" promised here. the same--Greek, "THIS man"; he and he alone. So one oldest manuscript reads. But two oldest manuscripts, and most of the ancient versions, "shall THUS be clothed," &c. raiment--Greek, "garments." "He that overcometh" shall receive the same reward as they who "have not defiled their garments" (Rev 3:4); therefore the two are identical. I will not--Greek, "I will not by any means." blot out . . . name out of . . . book of life--of the heavenly city. A register was kept in ancient cities of their citizens: the names of the dead were of course erased. So those who have a name that they live and are dead (Rev 3:1), are blotted out of God's roll of the heavenly citizens and heirs of eternal life; not that in God's electing decree they ever were in His book of life. But, according to human conceptions, those who had a high name for piety would be supposed to be in it, and were, in respect to privileges, actually among those in the way of salvation; but these privileges, and the fact that they once might have been saved, shall be of no avail to them. As to the book of life, compare Rev 13:8; Rev 17:8; Rev 20:12, Rev 20:15; Rev 21:27; Exo 32:32; Psa 69:28; Dan 12:1. In the sense of the "call," many are enrolled among the called to salvation, who shall not be found among the chosen at last. The pale of salvation is wider than that of election. Election is fixed. Salvation is open to all and is pending (humanly speaking) in the case of those mentioned here. But Rev 20:15; Rev 21:27, exhibit the book of the elect alone in the narrower sense, after the erasure of the others. before . . . before--Greek, "in the presence of." Compare the same promise of Christ's confessing before His Father those who confessed Him, Mat 10:32-33; Luk 12:8-9. He omits "in heaven" after "My Father," because there is, now that He is in heaven, no contrast between the Father in heaven and the Son on earth. He now sets His seal from heaven upon many of His words uttered on earth [TRENCH]. An undesigned coincidence, proving that these epistles are, as they profess, in their words, as well as substance, Christ's own addresses; not even tinged with the color of John's style, such as it appears in his Gospel and Epistles. The coincidence is mainly with the three other Gospels, and not with John's, which makes the coincidence more markedly undesigned. So also the clause, "He that hath an ear, let him hear," is not repeated from John's Gospel, but from the Lord's own words in the three synoptic Gospels (Mat 11:15; Mat 13:9; Mar 4:9, Mar 4:23; Mar 7:16; Luk 8:8; Luk 14:35).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

white--not a dull white, but glittering, dazzling white [GROTIUS]. Compare Mat 13:43. The body transfigured into the likeness of Christ's body, and emitting beams of light reflected from Him, is probably the "white raiment" promised here.

the same--Greek, "THIS man"; he and he alone. So one oldest manuscript reads. But two oldest manuscripts, and most of the ancient versions, "shall THUS be clothed," &c.

raiment--Greek, "garments." "He that overcometh" shall receive the same reward as they who "have not defiled their garments" (Rev 3:4); therefore the two are identical.

I will not--Greek, "I will not by any means."

blot out . . . name out of . . . book of life--of the heavenly city. A register was kept in ancient cities of their citizens: the names of the dead were of course erased. So those who have a name that they live and are dead (Rev 3:1), are blotted out of God's roll of the heavenly citizens and heirs of eternal life; not that in God's electing decree they ever were in His book of life. But, according to human conceptions, those who had a high name for piety would be supposed to be in it, and were, in respect to privileges, actually among those in the way of salvation; but these privileges, and the fact that they once might have been saved, shall be of no avail to them. As to the book of life, compare Rev 13:8; Rev 17:8; Rev 20:12, Rev 20:15; Rev 21:27; Exo 32:32; Psa 69:28; Dan 12:1. In the sense of the "call," many are enrolled among the called to salvation, who shall not be found among the chosen at last. The pale of salvation is wider than that of election. Election is fixed. Salvation is open to all and is pending (humanly speaking) in the case of those mentioned here. But Rev 20:15; Rev 21:27, exhibit the book of the elect alone in the narrower sense, after the erasure of the others.

before . . . before--Greek, "in the presence of." Compare the same promise of Christ's confessing before His Father those who confessed Him, Mat 10:32-33; Luk 12:8-9. He omits "in heaven" after "My Father," because there is, now that He is in heaven, no contrast between the Father in heaven and the Son on earth. He now sets His seal from heaven upon many of His words uttered on earth [TRENCH]. An undesigned coincidence, proving that these epistles are, as they profess, in their words, as well as substance, Christ's own addresses; not even tinged with the color of John's style, such as it appears in his Gospel and Epistles. The coincidence is mainly with the three other Gospels, and not with John's, which makes the coincidence more markedly undesigned. So also the clause, "He that hath an ear, let him hear," is not repeated from John's Gospel, but from the Lord's own words in the three synoptic Gospels (Mat 11:15; Mat 13:9; Mar 4:9, Mar 4:23; Mar 7:16; Luk 8:8; Luk 14:35).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
He that overcometh - See the notes on Rev 2:7. The same shall be clothed in white raiment - Whosoever he may be that shall overcome sin and the temptations of this world, shall be admitted to this glorious reward. The promise is made not only to those in Sardis who should be victorious, but to all in every age and every land. The hope that is thus held out before us, is that of appearing with the Redeemer in his kingdom, clad in robes expressive of holiness and joy. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life - The book which contains the names of those who are to live with him forever. The names of his people are thus represented as enrolled in a book which he keeps - a register of those who are to live forever. The phrase "book of life" frequently occurs in the Bible, representing this idea. See the notes on Phi 4:3. Compare Rev 15:3; Rev 20:12, Rev 20:15; Rev 21:27; Rev 22:19. The expression "I will not blot out" means, that the names would be found there on the great day of final account, and would be found there forever. It may be remarked, that as no one can have access to that book but he who keeps it, there is the most positive assurance that it will never be done, and the salvation of the redeemed will be, therefore, secure. And let it be remembered that the period is coming when it will be felt to be a higher honor to have the name enrolled in that book than in the books of heraldry - in the most splendid catalogue of princes, poets, warriors, nobles, or statesmen that the world has produced. But I will confess his name, ... - I will acknowledge him to be my follower. See the notes on Mat 10:32.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
angels (See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Book of life Lit., the book of the life. For the figure, see Exo 32:32; Psa 69:28; Dan 12:1; Phi 4:3. Compare Luk 10:20; Heb 12:23. I will confess (ἐξομλογήσομαι) Openly confess (ἐξ). See on Mat 11:25; see on Act 19:18; see on Jam 5:16.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
He shall be clothed in white raiment - The colour of victory, joy, and triumph. And I will not blot his name out of the book of life - Like that of the angel of the church at Sardis: but he shall live for ever. I will confess his name - As one of my faithful servants and soldiers.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
I will not blot out his name - This may be an allusion to the custom of registering the names of those who were admitted into the Church in a book kept for that purpose, from which custom our baptismal registers in Churches are derived. These are properly books of life, as there those who were born unto God were registered; as in the latter those who were born in that parish were enrolled. Or there may be allusions to the white raiment worn by the priests, and the erasing of the name of any priest out of the sacerdotal list who had either sinned, or was found not to be of the seed of Aaron. In Middoth, fol. 37, 2: "The great council of Israel sat and judged the priests. If in a priest any vice was found they stripped of his white garments and clothed him in black, in which he wrapped himself, went out, and departed. Him in whom no vice was found they clothed in white, and he went and took his part in the ministry among his brother priests." I will confess his name - I will acknowledge that this person is my true disciple, and a member of my mystical body. In all this there may also be an allusion to the custom of registering citizens. Their names were entered into books, according to their condition, tribes, family, etc.; and when they were dead, or had by unconstitutional acts forfeited their right of citizenship, the name was blotted out, or erased from the registers. See the note on Exo 32:32.

Top

³⁵ It is [2076] neither [3777] fit [2111] for [1519] the land [1093], nor yet [3777] for [1519] the dunghill [2874]; but men cast [906] it [846] out [1854]. He that hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

⁸ And [2532] other [2087] fell [4098] on [1909] good [18] ground [1093], and [2532] sprang up [5453], and bare [4160] fruit [2590] an hundredfold [1542]. And when he had said [3004] these things [5023], he cried [5455], He that hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

¹⁶ If any man [1536] have [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

²³ If any man [1536] have [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

⁹ And [2532] he said [3004] unto them [846], He that hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

⁹ Who [3588] hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

¹⁵ He that hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

⁸ Also [1161] I say [3004] unto you [5213], Whosoever [3956] [3739] [302] shall confess [3670] [1722] me [1698] before [1715] men [444], [1722] him [846] shall [3670] the Son [5207] of man [444] also [2532] confess [3670] before [1715] the angels [32] of God [2316]:
⁹ But [1161] he that denieth [720] me [3165] before [1799] men [444] shall be denied [533] before [1799] the angels [32] of God [2316].

³² Whosoever [3956] [3748] therefore [3767] shall confess [3670] [1722] me [1698] before [1715] men [444], [1722] him [846] will I confess [3670] also [2504] before [1715] my [3450] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772].
³³ But [1161] whosoever [3748] shall [302] deny [720] me [3165] before [1715] men [444], him [846] will I also [2504] deny [720] before [1715] my [3450] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772].

²⁷ And [2532] there shall [1525] in no wise [3364] enter [1525] into [1519] it [846] any thing [3956] that defileth [2840], neither [2532] whatsoever worketh [4160] abomination [946], or [2532] maketh a lie [5579]: but [1508] they which are written [1125] in [1722] the Lamb's [721] book [975] of life [2222].

¹⁵ And [2532] whosoever [1536] was [2147] not [3756] found [2147] written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of life [2222] was cast [906] into [1519] the lake [3041] of fire [4442].

¹ And at that time [06256] shall Michael [04317] stand up [05975], the great [01419] prince [08269] which standeth [05975] for the children [01121] of thy people [05971]: and there shall be [01961] a time [06256] of trouble [06869], such as never was since there was a nation [01471] even to that same time [06256]: and at that time [06256] thy people [05971] shall be delivered [04422], every one that shall be found [04672] written [03789] in the book [05612].

²⁸ Let them be blotted [04229] out of the book [05612] of the living [02416], and not be written [03789] with the righteous [06662].

³² Yet now, if thou wilt forgive [05375] their sin [02403]--; and if not, blot [04229] me, I pray thee, out of thy book [05612] which thou hast written [03789].

¹⁵ And [2532] whosoever [1536] was [2147] not [3756] found [2147] written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of life [2222] was cast [906] into [1519] the lake [3041] of fire [4442].

¹² And [2532] I saw [1492] the dead [3498], small [3398] and [2532] great [3173], stand [2476] before [1799] God [2316]; and [2532] the books [975] were opened [455]: and [2532] another [243] book [975] was opened [455], which [3739] is [2076] the book of life [2222]: and [2532] the dead [3498] were judged [2919] out of [1537] those things which were written [1125] in [1722] the books [975], according to [2596] their [846] works [2041].

⁸ The beast [2342] that [3739] thou sawest [1492] was [2258], and [2532] is [2076] not [3756]; and [2532] shall [3195] ascend [305] out of [1537] the bottomless pit [12], and [2532] go [5217] into [1519] perdition [684]: and [2532] they that dwell [2730] on [1909] the earth [1093] shall wonder [2296], whose [3739] names [3686] were [1125] not [3756] written [1125] in [1909] the book [975] of life [2222] from [575] the foundation [2602] of the world [2889], when they behold [991] the beast [2342] that was [3748] [2258], and [2532] is [2076] not [3756], and yet [2539] is [2076].

⁸ And [2532] all [3956] that dwell [2730] upon [1909] the earth [1093] shall worship [4352] him [846], whose [3739] names [3686] are [1125] not [3756] written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of life [2222] of the Lamb [721] slain [4969] from [575] the foundation [2602] of the world [2889].

¹ And [2532] unto the angel [32] of the church [1577] in [1722] Sardis [4554] write [1125]; These things [3592] saith [3004] he that hath [2192] the seven [2033] Spirits [4151] of God [2316], and [2532] the seven [2033] stars [792]; I know [1492] thy [4675] works [2041], that [3754] thou hast [2192] a name [3686] that [3754] thou livest [2198], and [2532] art [1488] dead [3498].

⁴ Thou hast [2192] a few [3641] names [3686] even [2532] in [1722] Sardis [4554] which [3739] have [3435] not [3756] defiled [3435] their [846] garments [2440]; and [2532] they shall walk [4043] with [3326] me [1700] in [1722] white [3022]: for [3754] they are [1526] worthy [514].

⁴³ Then [5119] shall the righteous [1342] shine forth [1584] as [5613] the sun [2246] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of their [846] Father [3962]. Who [3588] hath [2192] ears [3775] to hear [191], let him hear [191].

¹⁹ And [2532] if [1437] any man [5100] shall take away [851] from [575] the words [3056] of the book [976] of this [5129] prophecy [4394], God [2316] shall take away [851] his [846] part [3313] out of [575] the book [976] of life [2222], and [2532] out of [1537] the holy [40] city [4172], and [2532] from the things which are written [1125] in [1722] this [5026] book [975].

¹⁵ And [2532] whosoever [1536] was [2147] not [3756] found [2147] written [1125] in [1722] the book [976] of life [2222] was cast [906] into [1519] the lake [3041] of fire [4442].

³ And [2532] they sing [103] the song [5603] of Moses [3475] the servant [1401] of God [2316], and [2532] the song [5603] of the Lamb [721], saying [3004], Great [3173] and [2532] marvellous [2298] are thy [4675] works [2041], Lord [2962] God [2316] Almighty [3841]; just [1342] and [2532] true [228] are thy [4675] ways [3598], thou King [935] of saints [40].

³ And [2532] I intreat [2065] thee [4571] also [2532], true [1103] yokefellow [4805], help [4815] those women [846] which [3748] laboured [4866] with me [3427] in [1722] the gospel [2098], with [3326] Clement [2815] also [2532], and [2532] with other [3062] my [3450] fellowlabourers [4904], whose [3739] names [3686] are in [1722] the book [976] of life [2222].

⁷ He that hath [2192] an ear [3775], let him hear [191] what [5101] the Spirit [4151] saith [3004] unto the churches [1577]; To him [846] that overcometh [3528] will I give [1325] to eat [5315] of [1537] the tree [3586] of life [2222], which [3739] is [2076] in [1722] the midst [3319] of the paradise [3857] of God [2316].

⁴ Being made [1096] so much [5118] better than [2909] the angels [32], as [3745] he hath by inheritance obtained [2816] a more excellent [1313] name [3686] than [3844] they [846].

¹⁶ Confess [1843] your faults [3900] one to another [240], and [2532] pray [2172] one [240] for [5228] another [240], that [3704] ye may be healed [2390]. The effectual fervent [1754] prayer [1162] of a righteous man [1342] availeth [2480] much [4183].

¹⁸ And [5037] many [4183] that believed [4100] came [2064], and confessed [1843], and [2532] shewed [312] their [846] deeds [4234].

²⁵ At [1722] that [1565] time [2540] Jesus [2424] answered [611] and said [2036], I thank [1843] thee [4671], O Father [3962], Lord [2962] of heaven [3772] and [2532] earth [1093], because [3754] thou hast hid [613] these things [5023] from [575] the wise [4680] and [2532] prudent [4908], and [2532] hast revealed [601] them [846] unto babes [3516].

²³ To the general assembly [3831] and [2532] church [1577] of the firstborn [4416], which are written [583] in [1722] heaven [3772], and [2532] to God [2316] the Judge [2923] of all [3956], and [2532] to the spirits [4151] of just men [1342] made perfect [5048],

²⁰ Notwithstanding [4133] in [1722] this [5129] rejoice [5463] not [3361], that [3754] the spirits [4151] are subject [5293] unto you [5213]; but [1161] rather [3123] rejoice [5463], because [3754] your [5216] names [3686] are written [1125] in [1722] heaven [3772].

²⁸ Let them be blotted [04229] out of the book [05612] of the living [02416], and not be written [03789] with the righteous [06662].

³² Yet now, if thou wilt forgive [05375] their sin [02403]--; and if not, blot [04229] me, I pray thee, out of thy book [05612] which thou hast written [03789].