And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Sardis - the ancient capital of Lydia, the kingdom of wealthy Croesus, on the river Pactolus. The address is full of rebuke: not in vain; for Melito, Bishop of Sardis in the second century, was eminent for piety. He visited Palestine to assure himself and his flock as to the Old Testament canon, and wrote an letter on the subject (Eusebius, 4:, 26); also a commentary on the Apocalypse, (Eusebius, 4: 26; Jerome, 'Catalogus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum,' 24:)
He that hath the seven Spirits of God - i:e., the fullness of the Spirit (John 3:34; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 5:6: cf. Zechariah 3:9; Zechariah 4:10), proving His Godhead. Implying His infinite power by the Spirit to convict of sin and of a hollow profession.
And the seven stars - (Revelation 1:16; Revelation 1:20.) His having the seven stars, or presiding ministers, flows from His having the seven Spirits, or the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The human ministry is the fruit of Christ's sending the gifts of the Spirit. Stars imply brilliancy; the fullness of the Spirit, and of brilliant light in Him, form a contrast to the formality which He reproves.
Name ... livest ... dead - (1 Timothy 5:6; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16: cf. Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 5:14.) Sardis was famed among Name ... livest ... dead - (1 Timothy 5:6; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16: cf. Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 5:14.) Sardis was famed among the churches for spiritual vitality; yet He who sees not as man seeth, pronounces her dead: how great searchings of heart should her case create among even the best! Laodicea deceived herself as to her state (Revelation 3:17); but she is not mentioned as having a high name among the churches, as sardis.