The Church at Ephesus Lost Its First Love
April 21, 2019
Commentary
Keep in mind that the seven churches addressed in these letters by John were actual churches which existed in the cities mentioned. These churches were representatives of all churches at that time as well as in subsequent generations. Each letter contains commendation, condemnation, exhortation, and promise. This first letter was addressed to the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was the capital of Asia, a seaport, and the home of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – the temple of Diana. The church in that city was started by Paul on his third missionary journey.
Christ commended those in the Ephesian church for their hard work, perseverance, their condemnation of wicked men and their identification of false apostles. However, despite all these good qualities there was one vital lack: they had left the passion of their first love (v. 4). Most of these Ephesian Christians were now second-generation believers, and though they had retained purity of doctrine and life and had maintained a high level of service, they were lacking in deep devotion or passion for Christ. This shows how a church may have great zeal and activity with soundness of doctrine but still have lost its first love for Christ. The church is commanded to repent or have its light removed. The church at Ephesus continued for a while but after the 5th century both the church and the city declined. In fact, that entire area is now engulfed in the false religion of Islam.
Application
What did I do at first in my relationship with Christ that I don’t do now? Have I in any way lost my passion or first love for Christ? Do I need to repent?
Revelation 2:1– 7 (NET)
1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus, write the following:
2 ‘I know your works as well as your labor and steadfast endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have even put to the test those who refer to themselves as apostles (but are not), and have discovered that they are false. 3 I am also aware that you have persisted steadfastly, endured much for the sake of my name, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! 5 Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent. 6 But you do have this going for you: You hate what the Nicolaitans practice —practices I also hate. 7 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.’
Illustration: Skeptic Scoffed at a Little Girl
At an open-air Gospel meeting the preacher asked for testimonies. While this was going on a skeptic was passing by just when the testimony of a saved drunkard was being given. He stopped and listened. The former drunkard was telling how Jesus had wrought a miracle and saved his poor soul. The skeptic scoffingly made a few remarks to those standing near him. He said, “It was nothing more than a dream, religion saving a man in this manner.” No one answered him; but God had His way of dealing with him. Among the listeners was a little girl about ten years old. She had known the misery of a drunkard’s home. She heard the remark of the skeptic and, going up to him, she said: “Please, sir, if it is only a dream, please don’t wake him-that is my daddy!” (Source Unknown).