The angel of the church at Ephesus
And who can doubt that there was faith in the angel of the church of Ephesus, when our Lord said to him: I know your works, and your labor, and your patience. You have patience, and for my name's sake you have labored, and have not fainted. Revelation 2:2-4. But was there, in the meantime, no sin in his heart? Yes, there was, or Christ would not have added: Nevertheless, I have something against you, because you have left your first love. This was a real sin which God saw in his heart, and for which he is accordingly urged to repent. And yet we have no authority to say that even then he had no faith.
1771 text
4. And who can doubt, but there was faith in the angel of the church of Ephesus, when our Lord said to him, I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, thou hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured and hast not fainted. Rev. ii. 2, 3, 4. But was there meantime no sin in his heart? Yea, or Christ would not have added, nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. This was a real sin which God saw in his heart (of which accordingly he is exhorted to repent.) And yet we have no authority to say, that even then he had no faith.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.