Revelation 3:8 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Behold, I have set before thee an open door’ – they could see it; even as he spoke this door was opening. The apostle Paul uses this very terminology in three different places. In 1 Corinthians 16:9, he says that ‘a great door and effectual is opened unto me.’, and though there were many enemies he would go through that door. It was a door of opportunity for the gospel. Maybe in Philadelphia there was a waking up in certain homes that had previously been resistant or hostile to the message, perhaps on a much larger scale than ever before, perhaps getting opportunities down the very trade routes on which the city was built. ‘And no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength.’ The thought is positive here as the two following clauses show – ‘and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name’, and so should be translated ‘thou hast a little strength’, not ‘thou hast little strength’. They Lord implies that they are using the little strength they have and he would strengthen them further and ensure their enemies could not overpower them. The three sentiments go together, and it is clear that this little strength had been applied and put to use. Another way of looking at it which is just as good is to say, although you are few and feeble, it is enough for me. That strength which you apply to the work however little it may be, with all your heart and with all your desire is enough for me to magnify and to use mightily.