I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 2:9)
Compare the opprobrious epithet, “generation [brood] of vipers” (Matt. 3:7). As a center of Jewish communal life the synagogue (see Vol. V, pp. 56-58) was doubtless the place where many an evil plot was formed against Christians.
The name Satan means “accuser,” or “adversary” (see on Zech. 3:1; Rev. 12:10). These Jewish centers became, literally, “synagogues of the accuser.”
Are not.
They were hypocrites.
Jews.
Probably “Jews” in a figurative, not a literal, sense (in the sense that Christians now are sometimes described as Israel see Rom. 2:28, 29; 9:6, 7; Gal. 3:28, 29; 1 Peter 2:9). As here used, the term no doubt refers to those who claimed to serve God, but actually served Satan.
The figure has its basis in history. The book of Acts reveals that many of the troubles of the early church grew out of slanderous accusations hurled at them by Jews (see Acts 13:45; 14:2, 19; 17:5, 13; 18:5, 6, 12; 21:27). Apparently this situation was true at Smyrna. In the 2d century Jews are said to have brought about the martyrdom of Polycarp, a bishop of Smyrna. During this time Tertullian speaks of the synagogues as “fountains of persecution” (Scorpiace 10; ANF, vol. 3, p. 643).
Blasphemy.
Gr. blasphēmia, “evil speaking,” whether of God or man. In the present context the translation “slander” may be preferable.
Poverty.
Gr. ptōcheia, “abject poverty” (cf. on Mark 12:42). Doubtless church at Smyrna was not so large or so prosperous as the neighboring congregation at Ephesus.
The Christians at Ephesus had left their “first love,” but no such rebuke is sent to those at Smyrna. Instead, Christ reminds them that spiritually they are “rich” (see on James 2:5).
Tribulation.
Or, “distress,”“trouble”“affliction.” Intermittent persecution at the hands of various Roman emperors characterized the experience of the church during this period. Under Trajan (98-117), Hadrian (117-138), and Marcus Aurelius (161-180), persecution was sporadic and localized. The first general, systematic persecution of Christians was conducted by Decius (249-251) and Valerian (253-259). Political oppression reached a bloody climax under Diocletian (284-305) and his immediate successors (305-313). Historically, the period represented by the Smyrna church may well be called the Age of Martyrdom. The centuries since have been fragrant (see on v. 8) with the love and devotion of the thousands of unnamed martyrs of this period who were “faithful unto death.”
Works.
Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between retaining and omitting this word. See on v. 2.