1
"Here is what I command you to write to the church in Sardis. Here are the words of the One who holds the seven spirits of God. He has the seven stars in his hand. He says, 'I know what you are doing. People think you are alive, but you are dead.
Reference
Greek: ὧδε (hōde)
in this same spot, i.e. here or hither
Hebrew: ʼêphôw
strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then
Hebrew: mân
who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: ῥέω (rhéō)
to utter, i.e. speak or say
Hebrew: ʼămar
{to say (used with great latitude)}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: Σάρδεις (Sárdeis)
Sardis, a place in Asia Minor
Greek: ὧδε (hōde)
in this same spot, i.e. here or hither
Hebrew: ʼêphôw
strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then
Greek: ἐστί (estí)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: εἰρήνη (eirḗnē)
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
Hebrew: ʼalmônîy
some one (i.e. so and so, without giving the name of the person or place)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἑπτά (heptá)
seven
Hebrew: shâbûwaʻ
literally, sevened, i.e. a week (specifically, of years)
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἑπτά (heptá)
seven
Hebrew: shâbûwaʻ
literally, sevened, i.e. a week (specifically, of years)
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Greek: χείρ (cheír)
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument)
Hebrew: ʼekeph
a load; by implication, a stroke (others dignity)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: ἴσημι (ísēmi)
to know
Hebrew: mân
who or what (properly, interrogatively, hence, also indefinitely and relatively)
Greek: ἐστί (estí)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Hebrew: maʻălâl
an act (good or bad)
Greek: δῆμος (dēmos)
the public (as bound together socially)
Hebrew: ʻam
{a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock}
Greek: ἐνθυμέομαι (enthyméomai)
to be inspirited, i.e. ponder
Hebrew: çᵉbar
to bear in mind, i.e. hope
Greek: ἐστί (estí)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Greek: εἰ μή (ei mḗ)
if not
Hebrew: ʼăbâl
nay, i.e. truly or yet
Greek: ἐστί (estí)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Greek: νεκρός (nekrós)
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
Hebrew: râphâʼ
properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only)
Verse Explanation
Jesus addresses the church in Sardis and says that He holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, but He knows that the church has a reputation for being alive while actually being spiritually dead.
History
c. AD 90s: Sardis was an ancient and once-powerful city in Roman Asia. The church there had apparently developed a good reputation despite serious spiritual weakness.