Revelation 2:21

2:21 Through messengers such as John, Christ had given this false prophet opportunity to repent of her sinful teachings and actions, but like many, she had refused (cp. 9:20-21).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Rev_2:21. This misleaders worthiness of punishment[1243] is increased by the fact that she had time for repentance, and yet will not repent. Thus by the καί this point is added to the guilt mentioned in Rev_2:20.

ἔδωκα, κ.τ.λ., designates not the unsearchable decree of God in relation to the speedy coming of the Lord, that a time for repentance should still be open, but in connection with which it is predicted that the same will not be utilized;[1244] but a time of repentance is designated, the discerning of which, indeed, lies in an act of the Lords grace that is now past (ἔδωκα),[1245] but which, as the pres. ὑ θέκλει μεταν. shows, is to be regarded as continuing still to the present, and that, too, fruitlessly. Thus there is no ground for the opinion[1246] that John had already before published a written rebuke. But it is correctly inferred[1247] that the woman Jezebel had for a long time already exercised her corrupt activity. Even the fact that she had been let go[1248] appears from the standpoint of Divine Providence to afford an opportunity for a time of repentance, although the church must on this account be censured.

The ὲκ after μεταν.[1249] naturally stands as a designation of the movement out of sins.

The ΠΟΡΝΕΊΑnot inaccurately stated for immodest pursuits leading to inchastity[1250]is meant precisely as in Rev_2:20 (Rev_2:14). Fornication in its various forms was properly the heart of the error.

[1243] Cf. Rev_2:22.

[1244] Ebrard.

[1245] Cf. Winer, p. 80. Ebrard inaccurately paraphrases the aor. after the manner of the present.

[1246] Ew. ii.

[1247] Ew., De Wette.

[1248] Cf. Rev_2:20.

[1249] Rev_2:22. Cf. Act_8:22 : ἀπό.

[1250] De Wette.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Rev 2:21 . The immorality was flagrant; more flagrant still was the obstinate persistence in it, despite admonitions and forbearance ( cf. Ecc 8:11 ; Bar. Ap. xxi. 20; 2Pe 3:9 ). This allusion to an abuse of God’s patience and to a warning given already (hardly in some writing like Jud 1:2 Peter, Spitta) is left quite indefinite; it was probably familiar enough to the first readers of the book. Interests and old associations had proved hitherto too strong for this prophetic counsel to be followed. Membership of a trade-guild, although it necessarily involved the recognition of some pagan deity and often led to orgies, “was a most important matter for every tradesman or artisan; it aided his business, and brought, him many advantages socially” (Ramsay).

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

space--Greek, "time."

of her fornication . . . she repented not--The three oldest manuscripts read, "and she willeth not to repent of (literally, 'out of,' that is, so as to come out of) her fornication." Here there is a transition from literal to spiritual fornication, as appears from Rev 2:22. The idea arose from Jehovah's covenant relation to the Old Testament Church being regarded as a marriage, any transgression against which was, therefore, harlotry, fornication, or adultery.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 21. I gave her space to repent] "This alludes to the history of Jezebel. God first sent Elijah to Ahab to pronounce a severe judgment upon him; upon which Ahab showed tokens of repentance, and so God put off his punishment. By these means the like punishment pronounced against Jezebel was also put off. Thus God gave her time to repent, which she did not, but instead of that seduced her sons to the same sins. See 1Kgs 21:1-29. According to the Mosaical law, the punishment of idolatrous seducers was not to be delayed at all, but God sometimes showed mercy; and now much more under the Christian dispensation, though that mercy is often abused, and thus produces the contrary effect, as in the case of this Jezebel. See Ec 8:11.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(21) And I gave her space.—Read, And I gave her time to repent, and she will not (or, is not willing to) repent of her fornication, or, to repent out of—i.e., so as to forsake her fornication. Here, as before, we are reminded that true repentance is a repentance whereby we forsake sin. (Comp. Rev_2:5; Rev_3:2.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

21. Read, And I gave her time that she should repent, and she will not [does not choose to] repent of her fornication.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication,.... Of idolatry. This may have respect to the time of the witnesses, the Waldenses, and others, who bore a testimony against the Romish idolatry, and reproved for it, and denounced the judgment of God in case of impenitence; and as these things were repeated time after time, this may be called a space given to repent in; just as Jezebel had a space given her to repent in, from the time that Elijah declared the word of the Lord, that the dogs should eat her: so the Jews (b) say of the old world, that God gave them , "space to repent", but they repented not, as here:

and she repented not; see Rev 9:20; for the time for, and means leading to repentance may be given, yet if the grace of repentance itself is not given, men, either particular persons, or whole bodies of men, will never repent of their sins. The Alexandrian copy, Complutensian, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "and she would not repent",

(b) Juchasin, fol. 7. 1.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Ver. 21. And I gave her space to repent] "In space comes grace" proves not always a true proverb. They that defer the work, and say that men may repent hereafter, say truly, but not safely. The branch that bears not timely fruit is cut off. Joh 15:2. The ground that yields not a seasonable and suitable return is nigh unto cursing, Heb 6:8. The chick that comes not at the clucking of the hen becomes a prey to the kite, &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication - Probably after some direct and solemn warning of the evil of her course. The error and sin had been of long standing, but he now resolved to bear with it no longer. It is true of almost every great sinner, that sufficient time is given for repentance, and that vengeance is delayed after crime is committed. But it cannot always be deferred, for the period must arrive when no reason shall exist for longer delay, and when punishment must come upon the offender.

And she repented not - As she did not do it; as she showed no disposition to abandon her course; as all plea of having had no time to repent would now be taken away, it was proper that he should rise in his anger and cut her down.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

I was not quick with her, but gave her a time of patience, and did not cut her off at first; but she was incorrigible, and went on in her sinful courses.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

21. I gave her space—The Church tolerated her from negligence, but Christ allowed her space in mercy. Yet she had been living on probation.

Repented not—It would seem that the space for repentance hardly now existed; yet there is a saving clause at the close of the next verse.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Here again the Revised Version must be preferred; the Authorized Version follows a corrupt Greek text. With the construction, "I gave her time that (ina) she should repent," comp. Rev_8:3 Rev_9:5 Rev_12:14 Rev_19:8 Joh_17:4 1Jn_3:1 1Jn_5:20. With "willeth not to repent, comp. Joh_6:21, 67 7:17 8:44. Jezebel "despised the riches of Christ"s forbearance and long suffering, not believing that his goodness led her to repentance". (Rom_2:4) The whole passage should be compared with this. (see also Ecc_8:11-13 Psa_10:6 2Pe_3:3, 2Pe_3:4, 2Pe_3:9)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I gave her time to repent - So great is the power of Christ! But she will not repent - So, though repentance is the gift of God, man may refuse it; God will not compel.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

21. I gave her space (time) to repent. The long suffering and mercy shown in the delay of judgment are here pointed out.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

21. καὶ οὐ θέλει μετανοῆσαι ἐκ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς. א* 1 Text. Rec[106] omit καὶ … μετανοῆσαι; 1 Text. Rec[107] add καὶ οὐ μετενόησεν.

[106] Rec. Textus Receptus as printed by Scrivener.

[107] Rec. Textus Receptus as printed by Scrivener.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.