Revelation 2:4

Translations

Modern

But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.

Traditional

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Literal

But I have against you that you abandoned your first love.

Latin

Sed habeo adversum te, quod caritatem tuam primam reliquisti.

Original

Greek

English

But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.

Notes

Revelation 2:4

You have abandoned your first love: When the church began, their love for Christ and each other was strong. Struggles with false teachers and persecution caused that original love to grow cold. Correct beliefs, action, and even suffering (Revelation 2:2–3) are only an empty form of Christian life if living and active love is missing (1 Corinthians 13).

Revelation 2:1–7

The letter to the church in Ephesus speaks to Christians who follow traditions. They are faithful but have lost their early, strong love for Christ and each other (see Revelation 2:5).

Revelation 2:1–3:22

The seven messages to the seven churches show the condition of Christ's church when Revelation was written, and it is similar today. God still calls Christians to be faithful and honest. Those who listen to Christ's message will receive God's promised rewards. Those who do not will face judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

Ephesus Apostasy and Renewal God’s Judgment of His People Letters to the Seven Churches Security and Obedience Visions

Related verses

Matthew 24:12–13
Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
Jeremiah 2:2–5
“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
Hebrews 6:10–11
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Philippians 1:9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.
Revelation 3:14–17
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
1 Thessalonians 4:9–10
Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.
Philippians 3:13–16
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Revelation 2:4

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