NLT Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Study Bible, and “The Seven Churches” (Revelation 1:4)
I have done a lot of studying from the book of Revelation over the past couple of years. I thought I would plunge into the available material concerning this controversial book. With so many points of view and interpretations concerning the book, how will the study Bibles “reveal” their information? Will their be a bias toward a millennial view? Or can the study notes make points without choosing a point of view?
NLT Study Bible:
1:4 To the seven churches does not mean that there were only seven churches in the Roman province of Asia but that these seven churches represent the entire group.
ESV Study Bible:
1:4-6 the seven churches that are in Asia. Since churches existed in other cities of Roman Asia (e.g., Colossae, Troas), Christ’s selection of “seven,” symbolizing completeness, implies that he addresses the whole church through them.
NIV Study Bible:
1:4 seven churches. Located about 50 miles apart, forming a circle in Asia moving clockwise north from Ephesus and coming around full circle from Laodicea (east of Ephesus). They were perhaps postal centers serving seven geographic regions. Apparently the entire book of Revelation (including the seven letters) was sent to each church (see v. 11).
________________________________
I find it interesting that neither the NLTSB or the ESVSB allowed for the possibility that these letters are to actual churches. While there were more than seven churches in Asia, it seems reasonable to not symbolize or spiritualize the number seven because each church is named. If the seven churches were to merely symbolize the whole church or represent all local churches in the area, then why name the seven churches as Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea? We should expect just the phrase “seven churches” like “seven Spirits,” “seven trumpets,” “seven seals,” etc. Only the NIV Study Bible treats the seven churches as actual churches that received these letters and the book of Revelation. Therefore, the NIV Study Bible is superior here in my opinion.
Don't forget to browse Biblical Studies or The Bible or Translations.
Your Thoughts
4 Comments so far4 Responses to “NLT Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, NIV Study Bible, and “The Seven Churches” (Revelation 1:4)”
By submitting a comment here you grant Christian Monthly Standard a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate comments will be removed at our discretion.
Joe
October 8, 2008 at 11:49 am
I believe Revelation could bring out many interesting notes :-).
The verse does seem very specific and we know those congregations existed so why ignore the literal possibility? Another sentence or two would have completed the possibilities.
I am pleased not to find a “seven churches represent seven different periods in the history of the church” type of note.
Sean Harrison
October 10, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hi, Brent. The NLTSB note is not intended to spiritualize the individual churches, as the notes on the individual churches’ letters show — each church’s letter addresses that church with reference to some aspect of that church’s historical setting. The NLTSB note is simply making the somewhat basic point that we should not conclude that these were the only churches in the region. The NIV Study Bible note aptly states the point.
Justin Taylor
October 10, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Brent,
I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood the ESVSB note as well. It certainly doesn’t deny that these were seven actual churches. But it does affirm that these seven were chosen as representative of “all the churches” (cf. 2:23, 2:7). But as Sean mentions with regard to the NLTSB, the ESVSB notes on the various letters show pretty clearly that these were actual churches with real historical situations being alluded to and addressed.
Blessings!
JT
Jo Bernard
April 5, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Jesus is not dealing with a moment in time here, he’s setting a precedence for all time unto the end of time, I’m sure if you consider closely and open your eyes to see it, the seven churches are symbolic of the spirit of all churches of all times, yes I know it is difficult for you to fathom, but Jesus is saying here that there is and will be certain characters and attitudes or “types of people” in the church from beginning to end, that’s difficult for most Christians because we live in an age which have convince most Christians that obedience is works, thus since we are not saved by works we are dismissed from obedience, but true obedience is not works of righteousness but the substance that makes evident a true belief and is the faith whereby we receive grace. Conclusion: Jesus is saying most of the people, even those in the church are servants of sin of whom candles shall be extinguished in due time.