The Meaning of Revelation 3:11 Explained

Revelation 3:11

KJV: Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

YLT: Lo, I come quickly, be holding fast that which thou hast, that no one may receive thy crown.

Darby: I come quickly: hold fast what thou hast, that no one take thy crown.

ASV: I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Behold,  I come  quickly:  hold that fast  which  thou hast,  that  no man  take  thy  crown. 

What does Revelation 3:11 Mean?

Context Summary

Revelation 3:7-13 - Let No One Take Thy Crown
For those who have but a little strength, the Lord sets open a wide door. You may not be able to open the door, but you can enter it in His Name. Once He opens the door, all the opposition you may be called upon to encounter will not avail to shut it; and if He shuts the door against your adversaries, all their craft and strength will beat against its exterior in vain. Get Christ to shut the door against the tempting at would allure you from your allegiance, may be sorely beset, but He will keep them in the hour of trial. They shall not miss their crown, but shall become permanent and important constituents in the eternal Temple. "We have often stood to notice the strength and stability of a pillar in an old church. It has looked unmoved on generations that have grown from youth to age at its base, and so shall Christ's saints endure.
It is marvelous how much Christ can make of our poor lives, if only we yield to Him. It was said of a great statesman recently deceased, "He was a resounding example of what a great thing a great man may make of a life." But how much greater can Christ make a life, once a mere block of stone, but now inscribed with His own mystic handwriting and engraving! [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 3

1  The angel of the church of Sardis is reproved and exhorted to repent
7  The angel of the church of Philadelphia is approved for his diligence and patience;
14  the angel of Laodicea rebuked for being neither hot nor cold
20  Christ stands at the door and knocks

Greek Commentary for Revelation 3:11

I come quickly [ερχομαι ταχυ]
As in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. “The keynote of the book” (Beckwith). But allow the author‘s own meaning of “quickly.” [source]
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]
That no one take [ινα μηδεις λαβηι]
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]
Behold []
Omit. [source]
That no one take thy crown [ἵνα μηδεὶς λάβῃ τὸν στέφανον]
Take it away. The idea is not that of one believer stepping into the place which was designed for another, but of an enemy taking away from another the reward which he himself has forfeited. The expression is explained by Colossians 2:18. It is related by Mahomet that, after having attempted, in vain, to convert one Abdallah to the faith, and having been told by him to go about his business and to preach only to those who should come to him - he went, downcast, to a friend's house. His friend, perceiving that he was sad, asked him the reason; and on being told of Abdallah's insult, said, “Treat him gently; for I swear that when God sent thee to us, we had already strung pearls to crown him, and he seeth that thou hast snatched the kingdom out of his grasp.” For crown, see on Revelation 2:10. Thy crown is not the crown which thou hast, but the crown which thou shalt have if thou shalt prove faithful. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 3:11

1 Corinthians 16:22  []
Ανατεμα — AnathemaThe word seems a bit harsh to us, but the refusal to love Christ (ου πιλει — ou philei) on the part of a nominal Christian deservesανατεμα — anathema(see note on1 Corinthians 12:3for this word).Μαραν ατα — Maran athaThis Aramaic phrase means “Our Lord (μαραν — maran) cometh (ατα — atha)” or, used as a proleptic perfect, “has come.” It seems to be a sort of watchword (cf.1 Thessalonians 4:14.;James 5:7.;Philemon 4:5;Revelation 1:7;Revelation 3:11;Revelation 22:20), expressing the lively hope that the Lord will come. It was a curious blunder in the King James Version that connectedΜαραν ατα — Maran athawithΑνατεμα — Anathemasa120 [source]
Revelation 11:14 The third woe [η ουαι η τριτη]
(η ουαι η τριτη — hē ouai hē tritē feminine as in Revelation 9:12) is the seventh trumpet, which now “cometh quickly” (ερχεται ταχυ — erchetai tachu), for which phrase see Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. Usually pointing to the Parousia. [source]
Revelation 2:10 Some of you [εχ υμων]
Without τινας — tinas (some) before εχ υμων — ex humōn a common idiom as in Revelation 3:9; Revelation 11:19; Luke 11:49.That ye may be tried (ινα πειραστητε — hina peirasthēte). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πειραζω — peirazō John himself is in exile. Peter and John had often been in prison together. James the brother of John, Paul, and Peter had all suffered martyrdom. In Revelation 3:10 a general persecution is outlined by πειρασμος — peirasmos shall have (εχετε — hexete). Future active, but some MSS. read εχητε — echēte (present active subjunctive with hina, “that ye may have”).Tribulation ten days “Tribulation of ten days” (or “within ten days”). It is unwise to seek a literal meaning for ten days. Even ten days of suffering might seem an eternity while they lasted.Be thou faithful (γινου πιστος — ginou pistos). “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι — ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all).The crown of life See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος — stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 2:10 Tribulation ten days [τλιπσιν ημερων δεκα]
“Tribulation of ten days” (or “within ten days”). It is unwise to seek a literal meaning for ten days. Even ten days of suffering might seem an eternity while they lasted.Be thou faithful (γινου πιστος — ginou pistos). “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι — ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all).The crown of life See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος — stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 2:10 The crown of life [τον στεπανον της ζωης]
See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος — stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [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 2:25 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]
Revelation 22:7 And behold, I come quickly [και ιδου ερχομαι ταχυ]
Christ is the speaker, either through this angel or more probably directly from Christ without introduction as in Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:16. About Christ coming quickly see Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 16:15, and already in Revelation 1:2. Once more we must recall that ταχυ — tachu and εν ταχει — en tachei are according to God‘s time, not ours (2 Peter 3:8). [source]
Revelation 2:16 I come [ερχομαι]
Futuristic present middle indicative, “I am coming” (imminent), as in Revelation 2:5 with ταχυ — tachu as in Revelation 3:11; Revelation 11:14; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. As with εν ταχει — en tachei (Revelation 1:1), we do not know how soon “quickly” is meant to be understood. But it is a real threat.Against them (μετ αυτων — met' autōn). This proposition with πολεμεω — polemeō rather than κατα — kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete).With Instrumental use of εν — en For the language see Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 19:15. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 3:11 mean?

I am coming quickly Hold fast to what you have so that no one may take the crown of you
ἔρχομαι ταχύ κράτει ἔχεις ἵνα μηδεὶς λάβῃ τὸν στέφανόν σου

ἔρχομαι  I  am  coming 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ταχύ  quickly 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ταχύς  
Sense: quickly, speedily (without delay).
κράτει  Hold  fast 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κρατέω  
Sense: to have power, be powerful.
  to  what 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἔχεις  you  have 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
μηδεὶς  no  one 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μηδείς 
Sense: nobody, no one, nothing.
λάβῃ  may  take 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
στέφανόν  crown 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: στέφανοσ2  
Sense: a crown.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.