Revelation 2:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Despite their faithful works, the Lord charges the Ephesians with a serious loss: they have abandoned the love they had at first.
What Does Revelation 2:4 Mean?
After warm praise comes a sober word. "Nevertheless" turns the letter on its hinge. For all their labor and doctrinal vigilance, something essential had drained away. The fervent love that once filled them, toward the Lord and toward one another, had grown cold.
Right works can outlive the love that first inspired them. A church can defend the truth and tire of every error and still lose the warmth that made it alive. The Lord counts this no small thing. He desires not only correct service but a heart that loves Him as it did in the beginning. Activity is never a substitute for affection.
Revelation 2:4 in the Original Language
agape (ἀγάπη), 'love' -- self-giving love that seeks another's good and devotion to God above all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 2:4
What does Revelation 2:4 mean?
Despite their faithful works, the Lord charges the Ephesians with a serious loss: they have abandoned the love they had at first.