REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE - Chapter 2 - Verse 12

Verse 12. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos. See Barnes on "Re 1:20".

These things saith he which hath the sharp sword etc. See Barnes on "Re 1:16".

Compare Heb 4:12; Ec 12:11; Isa 49:2.

Professor Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, "uttered words, as they proceeded from his mouth, the halitus which accompanied them assumed, in the view of John, the form of an igneous two-edged sword." It is more probable, however, that the words which proceeded from his mouth did not assume anything like a form or substance, but John means to represent them as if they were a sharp sword. His words cut and penetrate deep, and it was easy to picture him as having a sword proceeding from his mouth; that is, his words were as piercing as a sharp sword. As he was about to reprove the church at Pergamos, there was a propriety in referring to this power of the Saviour. Reproof cuts deep; and this is the idea represented here.

{a} "saith he" Re 1:16