Revelation 2:2,3 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I know Jesus knows all the good and all the evil which his servants and his enemies suffer and do. Weighty words, I know! How dreadful will it one day sound to the wicked, how sweet to the righteous! The churches and their angels must have been astonished to find their several states so exactly described, even in the absence of the apostle, and could not but acknowledge the all-seeing eye of Christ and of his Spirit. With regard to us, to every one of us also he saith, I know thy works! Happy is he that conceives less good of himself, than Christ knows concerning him! The good works, which are the proper and necessary fruits of faith, are here intended. See on 1 Thessalonians 1:3; James 2:14-26. And thy labour Of love, thy endeavours to promote the glory of God, and the present and everlasting good of mankind; and thy patience In bearing persecution, opposition, and the various trials to which thou hast been exposed. And how thou hast such zeal for the honour of my gospel, and the establishment of my kingdom, that thou canst not bear them who are evil Canst not suffer them to go uncensured, but proceedest against all those by the exercise of a proper discipline, whose principles or practices are contrary to the gospel, and are stumbling-blocks in the way of others. And thou hast tried them By my word; (see on 1 John 4:1;) who say they are apostles, and are not Who make false pretensions to a divine mission, and inspiration, and have endeavoured to impose their errors on others, on the pretence of apostolical authority; and hast found them liars Or deceivers, and accordingly hast rejected their pretensions with a becoming disdain. And hast borne Endured the contradiction of false apostles, and much opposition from men and devils, and still art not wearied out, but hast patience, and perseverest, and for my name's sake That is, out of love to me, and with a view to my glory; hast laboured In opposing error and sin, and promoting the progress of truth and grace; and hast not fainted Hitherto, under any difficulties or dangers, trials or troubles, which thou hast had to encounter.