Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Do his commandments. So B, Syriac, Coptic, Cyprian; but A 'Aleph ('), Vulgate, read, '(blessed are they that) wash their robes'-namely, in the blood of the lamb (cf. Revelation 7:14). This takes away pretext for the notion of salvation by works. But the English reading is compatible with salvation by grace: for God's first grand Gospel "commandment" is to believe on Jesus (John 6:28-29; 1 John 3:23). Our "right" to х exousia (G1849), privilege over] the tree of life is due to, not our doings, but what He has done for us. The privilege is founded on, not merits, but God's grace. Through - `by the gates.'