The Meaning of Revelation 2:25 Explained

Revelation 2:25

KJV: But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

YLT: but that which ye have -- hold ye, till I may come;

Darby: but what ye have hold fast till I shall come.

ASV: Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  that which  ye have  [already] hold fast  till  I come. 

What does Revelation 2:25 Mean?

Context Summary

Revelation 2:18-29 - "hold Fast Till I Come"
Note that Jesus does not hesitate to appropriate the sublime title-the Son of God. His eyes penetrate profoundest secrets, and His advent leaves a trail of purity like fire behind Him. He recognizes the many good qualities of His church at Thyatira, but accuses her of having raised no protest against the woman Jezebel. She had actually permitted the promulgation of soul-destroying error, with most disastrous results.
This Jezebel apparently taught that there were deep philosophies in the heathen system around them, and the result was that the professing servants of Christ were led into complicity with the outward corruption of heathendom. An evident attempt was being made to graft on to Christianity the mysteries of darkness, which were in direct antagonism to the purity of the teachings of Christ.
Notice the contrast between her works and my works, Revelation 2:22; Revelation 2:26. The saints who are true to Christ shall be associated with Him in His Kingdom, but best of all they are made to possess the Morning Star, that is, they now stand with their Lord in the dawn of a new era. Already the day has dawned and the Day Star has arisen in their hearts, 2 Peter 1:19. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 2

1  What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8  Smyrna,
12  Pergamos,
18  Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them

Greek Commentary for Revelation 2:25

Howbeit [πλην]
Common after ουκ αλλο — ouk allo as a preposition with the ablative (Mark 12:32), but here a conjunction as in Philemon 1:18. [source]
Hold fast [κρατησατε]
First aorist active imperative of κρατεω — krateō either ingressive (get a grip on) or constative (hold on as a single decisive effort). See present imperative κρατει — kratei in Revelation 3:11 (keep on holding).Till I come (αχρι ου αν ηχω — achri hou an hēxō). Indefinite temporal clause with αχρι ου — achri hou (until which time) with modal αν — an and either the future active indicative or the first aorist active subjunctive of ηκω — hēkō (usual idiom with αχρι — achri in Revelation as in Revelation 7:3; Revelation 15:8; Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:5). [source]
Till I come [αχρι ου αν ηχω]
Indefinite temporal clause with αχρι ου — achri hou (until which time) with modal αν — an and either the future active indicative or the first aorist active subjunctive of ηκω — hēkō (usual idiom with αχρι — achri in Revelation as in Revelation 7:3; Revelation 15:8; Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:5). [source]
Hold fast [κρατήσατε]
See on Mark 7:3; see on Acts 3:11. [source]
Till I come [ἄχρις οὗ ἂν ἥξω]
The conditional particle ἂν marks the time of His coming as uncertain. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 2:25

Mark 7:2 Holding [κρατοῦντες]
Strictly, holding firmly or fast. So Hebrews 4:14; Revelation 2:25; denoting obstinate adherence to tradition. [source]
Revelation 2:13 Holdest fast my name [κρατεω]
Present active indicative of Κυριος Καισαρ — krateō “dost keep on holding,” as in Revelation 2:25, Revelation 3:11. This church refused to say Κυριος Ιησους — Kurios Kaisar (Martyrd. Polyc. 8f.) and continued to say ουκ ηρνησω — Kurios Iēsous (1 Corinthians 12:3). They stood true against the emperor-worship.Didst not deny (αρνεομαι — ouk ērnēsō). First aorist middle second person singular of την πιστιν μου — arneomai Reference to a specific incident not known to us.My faith Objective genitive, “thy faith in me.”Of Antipas (Αντιπα — Antipas). Indeclinable in this form. It is possible that ο μαρτυς μου — Antipa (genitive) was really written, though unimportant as the nominative follows in apposition. Nothing is really known of this early martyr in Pergamum before the writing of the Apocalypse. One legend is that he was burnt to death in a brazen bull. Other martyrs followed him at Pergamum (Agathonice, Attalus, Carpus, Polybus).My witness Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in Revelation 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. “Witness” as Jesus had said they should be (Acts 1:8) and Stephen was (Acts 22:20) and others were (Revelation 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.My faithful one (μου — ho pistos mou). Nominative also, with απεκταντη — mou also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14. Faithful unto death.Was killed First aorist passive indicative of παρ υμιν — apokteinō this passive form common in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:15, Revelation 9:18, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 19:21).Among you (οπου ο Σατανας κατοικει — par humin). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, “where Satan dwells” (hopou ho Satanās katoikei), repeated for emphasis. [source]
Revelation 3:3 Therefore [ουν]
Resumptive and coordinating as in Revelation 1:19; Revelation 2:5.Thou hast received (ειληπας — eilēphas). Perfect active indicative of λαμβανω — lambanō “as a permanent deposit” (Vincent).Didst hear First aorist active indicative, the act of hearing at the time.And keep it (και τηρει — kai tērei). Present active imperative of τηρεω — tēreō “hold on to what thou hast.”And repent First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō “Turn at once.”If therefore thou shalt not watch (εαν ουν μη γρηγορησηις — ean oun mē grēgorēsēis). Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē and the first aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of γρηγορεω — grēgoreō “if then thou do not wake up.”I will come Certainly future active here, though probably aorist subjunctive in Revelation 2:25.As a thief (ως κλεπτης — hōs kleptēs). As Jesus had already said (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), as Paul had said (1 Thessalonians 5:2), as Peter had said (2 Peter 3:10), as Jesus will say again (Revelation 16:15).Thou shalt not know Strong double negative ου μη — ou mē with second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō though some MSS. have the future middle indicative γνωσηι — gnōsēi hour A rare classical idiom (accusative) surviving in the Koiné rather than the genitive of time, somewhat like John 4:52; Acts 20:16 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 470f.). Indirect question with ποιαν — poian f0). [source]
Revelation 3:3 Didst hear [ηκουσας]
First aorist active indicative, the act of hearing at the time.And keep it (και τηρει — kai tērei). Present active imperative of τηρεω — tēreō “hold on to what thou hast.”And repent First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō “Turn at once.”If therefore thou shalt not watch (εαν ουν μη γρηγορησηις — ean oun mē grēgorēsēis). Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē and the first aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of γρηγορεω — grēgoreō “if then thou do not wake up.”I will come Certainly future active here, though probably aorist subjunctive in Revelation 2:25.As a thief (ως κλεπτης — hōs kleptēs). As Jesus had already said (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), as Paul had said (1 Thessalonians 5:2), as Peter had said (2 Peter 3:10), as Jesus will say again (Revelation 16:15).Thou shalt not know Strong double negative ου μη — ou mē with second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō though some MSS. have the future middle indicative γνωσηι — gnōsēi hour A rare classical idiom (accusative) surviving in the Koiné rather than the genitive of time, somewhat like John 4:52; Acts 20:16 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 470f.). Indirect question with ποιαν — poian f0). [source]
Revelation 3:3 I will come [ηχω]
Certainly future active here, though probably aorist subjunctive in Revelation 2:25.As a thief (ως κλεπτης — hōs kleptēs). As Jesus had already said (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), as Paul had said (1 Thessalonians 5:2), as Peter had said (2 Peter 3:10), as Jesus will say again (Revelation 16:15).Thou shalt not know Strong double negative ου μη — ou mē with second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō though some MSS. have the future middle indicative γνωσηι — gnōsēi hour A rare classical idiom (accusative) surviving in the Koiné rather than the genitive of time, somewhat like John 4:52; Acts 20:16 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 470f.). Indirect question with ποιαν — poian f0). [source]
Revelation 3:11 Hold fast that which thou hast [κρατει ο εχεις]
Sort of motto for each church (Revelation 2:25).That no one take (ινα μηδεις λαβηι — hina mēdeis labēi). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist active subjunctive of λαμβανω — lambanō Here to take away “thy crown” (Revelation 2:10) which will be thine if really won and not forfeited by failure (2 Timothy 4:8). In that case it will go to another (Matthew 25:28; Romans 11:17.). [source]
Revelation 3:3 And repent [και μετανοησον]
First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō “Turn at once.”If therefore thou shalt not watch (εαν ουν μη γρηγορησηις — ean oun mē grēgorēsēis). Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē and the first aorist (ingressive) active subjunctive of γρηγορεω — grēgoreō “if then thou do not wake up.”I will come Certainly future active here, though probably aorist subjunctive in Revelation 2:25.As a thief (ως κλεπτης — hōs kleptēs). As Jesus had already said (Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39), as Paul had said (1 Thessalonians 5:2), as Peter had said (2 Peter 3:10), as Jesus will say again (Revelation 16:15).Thou shalt not know Strong double negative ου μη — ou mē with second aorist active subjunctive of γινωσκω — ginōskō though some MSS. have the future middle indicative γνωσηι — gnōsēi hour A rare classical idiom (accusative) surviving in the Koiné rather than the genitive of time, somewhat like John 4:52; Acts 20:16 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 470f.). Indirect question with ποιαν — poian f0). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 2:25 mean?

But to what you have hold fast until which [time] - I might come
πλὴν ἔχετε κρατήσατε ἄχρι οὗ ἂν ἥξω

  to  what 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἔχετε  you  have 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
κρατήσατε  hold  fast 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κρατέω  
Sense: to have power, be powerful.
ἄχρι  until 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἄχρι  
Sense: until, unto, etc.
οὗ  which  [time] 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἂν  - 
Parse: Particle
Root: ἄν  
Sense: has no exact English equivalent, see definitions under AV.
ἥξω  I  might  come 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἥκω  
Sense: to have come, have arrived, be present.