Rev 1:5-6 | RWP | e4.org | Who is the faithful witness ( ο μαρτυς ο πιστος ). "The witness the faithful," nominative in apposition like πρωτοτοκος and αρχων with the preceding ablative Ιησου Χριστου with απο , a habit of John in this book (apparently on purpose) as in , ; , etc. See this same phrase in ; . The use of μαρτυς of Jesus here is probably to the witness ( ) in this book ( .), not to the witness of Jesus before Pilate ( ). The first-born of the dead ( ο πρωτοτοκος των νεκρων ). A Jewish Messianic title ( ) and as in refers to priority in the resurrection to be followed by others. See for the word. The ruler of the kings of the earth ( ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης ). Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth ( ; ), what the devil offered him by surrender ( .). Unto him that loveth us ( τω αγαπωντ ημας ). Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντ ) active participle of αγαπαω in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ ( ; ; , .; , , etc.). For the thought see . Loosed ( λυσαντ ). First aorist active participle of λυω (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντ (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always. By his blood ( εν τω αιματ αυτου ). As in . John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption.

‏ Revelation of John 1:5-6

Who is the faithful witness ( ο μαρτυς ο πιστος ). "The witness the faithful," nominative in apposition like πρωτοτοκος and αρχων with the preceding ablative Ιησου Χριστου with απο, a habit of John in this book (apparently on purpose) as in 2:13, 20; 3:12, etc. See this same phrase in 2:13; 3:14. The use of μαρτυς of Jesus here is probably to the witness (1:1) in this book (22:16f.), not to the witness of Jesus before Pilate (1Ti 6:13).

The first-born of the dead ( ο πρωτοτοκος των νεκρων ). A Jewish Messianic title (Ps 88:28) and as in Col 1:18 refers to priority in the resurrection to be followed by others. See Lu 2:7 for the word.

The ruler of the kings of the earth ( ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης ). Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth (17:14; 19:16), what the devil offered him by surrender (Mt 4:8f.).

Unto him that loveth us ( τω αγαπωντ ημας ). Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντ ) active participle of αγαπαω in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ (1:6; 4:11; 5:9, 12f.; 7:10, 12, etc.). For the thought see Joh 3:16.

Loosed ( λυσαντ ). First aorist active participle of λυω (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντ (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always.

By his blood ( εν τω αιματ αυτου ). As in 5:9. John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption.

And he made ( κα εποιησεν ). Change from the participle construction, which would be κα ποιησαντ (first aorist active of ποιεω ) like λυσαντ just before, a Hebraism Charles calls it, but certainly an anacoluthon of which John is very fond, as in 1:18; 2:2, 9, 20; 3:9; 7:14; 14:2f.; 15:3.

Kingdom ( βασιλειαν ). So correctly Aleph A C, not βασιλεις (P cursives). Perhaps a reminiscence of Ex 19:6, a kingdom of priests. In 5:10 we have again "a kingdom and priests." The idea here is that Christians are the true spiritual Israel in God's promise to Abraham as explained by Paul in Ga 3; Ro 9.

To be priests ( ιερεις ). In apposition with βασιλειαν, but with κα (and) in 5:10. Each member of this true kingdom is a priest unto God, with direct access to him at all times.

Unto his God and Father ( τω θεω κα πατρ αυτου ). Dative case and αυτου (Christ) applies to both θεω and πατρ. Jesus spoke of the Father as his God (Mt 27:46; Joh 20:17) and Paul uses like language (Eph 1:17), as does Peter (1Pe 1:3).

To him ( αυτω ). Another doxology to Christ. "The adoration of Christ which vibrates in this doxology is one of the most impressive features of the book" (Moffatt). Like doxologies to Christ appear in 5:13; 7:10; 1Pe 4:11; 2Pe 3:18; 2Ti 4:18; He 13:21. These same words ( η δοξα κα το κρατος ) in 1Pe 4:11, only η δοξα in 2Pe 3:18; 2Ti 4:18, but with several others in Re 5:13; 7:10.