2:7 {4} He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in {5} the midst of the {b} paradise of God.
(4) The conclusion containing a commandment of attention, and a promise of everlasting life, shown in a figure; Ge 2:9.
(5) That is, in paradise after the manner of the Hebrew phrase.
(b) Thus Christ speaks as he is mediator.
2:7 He that hath an ear. The call to solemn attention found at the close of each epistle. See Re 2: 7,11,17,29 3:6,13,22.
To him that overcometh. The Christian life is a battle and must also be a victory. The Greek word nikao, rendered overcome, is peculiar to John. It occurs once in his Gospel (Joh 16:33), six times in his epistles (1Jo 2:13,14 4:04 5:4,5), and sixteen times in Revelation (Re 2:7,11,17,26 3:5,12,21 5:05 6:02 11:07 12:11 13:07 Re 15:2 17:14 21:7), but only three times in all the rest of the New Testament (Lu 11:22 Ro 3:4 12:21).
To eat of the tree of life. The symbol of eternal life. The tree is seen in Eden (Ge 2:9 3:22), here, and in the New Jerusalem (Re 22:2).
Which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Since the tree of life is found in both, Paradise and the New Jerusalem must mean the same. Paul uses the term as a synonym of the Third Heaven, or Heaven itself (2Co 12:2-4).
2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear - Every man, whoever can hear at all, ought carefully to hear this. What the Spirit saith - In these great and precious promises. To the churches - And in them to every one that overcometh; that goeth on from faith and by faith to full victory over the world, and the flesh, and the devil. In these seven letters twelve promises are contained, which are an extract of all the promises of God. Some of them are not expressly mentioned again in this book, as the hidden manna, the inscription of the name of the new Jerusalem, the sitting upon the throne. Some resemble what is afterwards mentioned, as the hidden name, Rev 19:12; the ruling the nations, Rev 19:15; the morning star, Rev 22:16. And some are expressly mentioned, as the tree of life, Rev 22:2; freedom from the second death, Rev 20:6; the name in the book of life, Rev 20:12; 21:27; the remaining in the temple of God, Rev 7:15; the inscription of the name of God and of the Lamb, Rev 14:1; 22:4. In these promises sometimes the enjoyment of the highest goods, sometimes deliverance from the greatest evils, is mentioned. And each implies the other, so that where either part is expressed, the whole is to be understood. That part is expressed which has most resemblance to the virtues or works of him that was spoken to in the letter preceding. To eat of the tree of life - The first thing promised in these letters is the last and highest in the accomplishment, Rev 22:2,14,19. The tree of life and the water of life go together, Rev 22:1,2; both implying the living with God eternally. In the paradise of my God - The word paradise means a garden of pleasure. In the earthly paradise there was one tree of life: there are no other trees in the paradise of God.
2:1-7 These churches were in such different states as to purity of doctrine and the power of godliness, that the words of Christ to them will always suit the cases of other churches, and professors. Christ knows and observes their state; though in heaven, yet he walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is wrong in them, and what they want. The church of Ephesus is commended for diligence in duty. Christ keeps an account of every hour's work his servants do for him, and their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. But it is not enough that we are diligent; there must be bearing patience, and there must be waiting patience. And though we must show all meekness to all men, yet we must show just zeal against their sins. The sin Christ charged this church with, is, not the having left and forsaken the object of love, but having lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared. Christ is displeased with his people, when he sees them grow remiss and cold toward him. Surely this mention in Scripture, of Christians forsaking their first love, reproves those who speak of it with carelessness, and thus try to excuse indifference and sloth in themselves and others; our Saviour considers this indifference as sinful. They must repent: they must be grieved and ashamed for their sinful declining, and humbly confess it in the sight of God. They must endeavour to recover their first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when they first set out in the ways of God. If the presence of Christ's grace and Spirit is slighted, we may expect the presence of his displeasure. Encouraging mention is made of what was good among them. Indifference as to truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not so; and it is displeasing to Christ. The Christian life is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. We must never yield to our spiritual enemies, and then we shall have a glorious triumph and reward. All who persevere, shall derive from Christ, as the Tree of life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness, not in the earthly paradise, but in the heavenly. This is a figurative expression, taken from the account of the garden of Eden, denoting the pure, satisfactory, and eternal joys of heaven; and the looking forward to them in this world, by faith, communion with Christ, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit. Believers, take your wrestling life here, and expect and look for a quiet life hereafter; but not till then: the word of God never promises quietness and complete freedom from conflict here.
