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Rev_2:26-28. The promise to the victor.
The combination with Rev_2:25, indicated by the καὶ ,[1279] lies in the fact that the victory is won by the τηρεῖν ἄχρι τέλους τὰ ἕργα μου , which in meaning is nothing else than the κρατεῖν commanded in Rev_2:25. With respect to the form of the expression, the τηρεῖν corresponds to the κρατεῖν , the ἄχρι τέλους to the ἄχρι οὗ ἂν ἥξω . The τὰ ἔργα μου find their explanation partly in opposition to the works of Jezebel,[1280] and partly in combination with Rev_2:25; they are such works as the Lord requires by the commandment which he imposes. Incorrectly, Grotius: Metonymy, for ἔργα are said to be precepts concerning works.
Concerning the broken construction of the sentence, Rev_2:26, as the αὐτῷ refers back to absolute preceding nominative ὁ νικῶν , κ . τ . λ ., cf. Winer, pp. 170, 533.
The substantial sense of the promise δώσω
πατρός μου is that the victor is to share in the work of establishing the βασιλεία [1281] at the coming of the Lord. For just as the Son has already received ( εἰλ .) from the Father power over the heathen, that he breaks them like earthen vessels with a rod of iron,[1282] so also will they who believe in Jesus Christ be raised by him, their Mediator, through whom they have already at the present time the kingdom,[1283] to participation in the glory which then becomes manifest.[1284] The coming of the Lord completely and actually effects the victory over all that is hostile; and he who remains faithful until that coming will then receive as a reward the royal glory in its fuller development, whose possession in faith has already conditioned the victory over all temptations or persecutions on the part of the world. Incorrectly Grot., on ἐξουσ . ἐπὶ τ . ἐθν .: “I will raise him to the grade of presbyter, that he may judge concerning those who live not in a Christian but a heathen way;” and Rev_2:27 of excommunication.[1285] The conversion of the heathen, also, we must regard neither alone,[1286] nor with the addition of the idea of the future royal dominion.[1287]
ΠΟΙΜΑΝΕῖ [1288] according to the LXX., Psa_2:9, for úÌÀøÉòÅí (break), is interchanged with úÌÄøÀòÀú (feed).
In the epistle to the church at Thyatira, this promise has its reference to the opposition to the heathen libertinism of Jezebel and her party.
Κ . ΔΏΣΩ ΑὐΤῷ ΤῸΝ ἈΣΤ . Τ . ΠΡ ., Rev_2:28, cannot be like ΘΉΣΩ ΑὐΤΌΝ , Κ . Τ . Λ .[1289] That the morning star which Christ will give to the victor is “the glorious body refulgent with the endowment of brilliancy,”[1290] is an entirely arbitrary assumption of exegetical helplessness; while still others have advanced the idea, with allusion to Isa_14:12, that by the morning star the Devil is to be understood,[1291] or the Babylonian, i.e., the most powerful king of the world.[1292] According to Rev_22:16, to understand Christ himself[1293] is impossible because of the ΔΏΣΩ , which makes us expect[1294] a gift of the Lord. According to the analogy of Dan_12:3, Mat_13:43, 1Co_15:40 sqq., the expression in general designates the bright glory,[1295] the heavenly ΔΌΞΑ ,[1296] with which the victor is to be endowed, without regarding ἈΣΤΉΡ itself as used[1297] of nothing else than “brilliancy and rays of the star.”[1298] Yet it is difficult for the discourse to be in reference to a domination of the star, similar to that in what precedes.[1299] The bold poetical idea appears rather to be, that the victor beams in the brilliancy of the morning star, because he has the morning star in his possession, just as a precious stone adds its effulgence to those who wear it. [See Note XXXIV., p. 157.]
[1279] Cf. Bengel, De Wette, Hengstenb.
[1280] Rev_2:22. Eichh., Heinr., Ewald, etc.
[1281] Cf. Rev_19:15, Rev_12:5.
[1282] Cf. Psa_2:8-9.
[1283] Rev_1:6; Rev_1:9.
[1284] Rev_3:21, Rev_20:6.
[1285] ῥαβδ . σιδ . ═ word of God, a part of which is excommunication.
[1286] Cf. Primas, Beda, Alcas., who immediately regard the iron rod as a designation of the bishop’s crosier.
[1287] Cf. Ebrard.
[1288] Cf. Rev_12:5, Rev_19:15.
[1289] Eichh. Cf. also Heinr.
[1290] N. de Lyra. Cf. Rev_2:17.
[1291] Cf. Rom_16:20. Andr., Areth.
[1292] Züll.
[1293] Primas, Beda, Alcas., C. a Lap., Calov., Vitr., Wolf, Beng., Stern, Ebrard, Klief.
[1294] Rev_2:17; Rev_2:10.
[1295] Aretius.
[1296] De, Wette. Cf. also Hengstenb.
[1297] Ew. ii. wishes to insert the entire promise of Rev_2:28 into Rev_3:5, and then to interpret ἀστ . according to Rev_1:20.
[1298] Rev_12:1. Heinr., Ewald.
[1299] Cf. De Wette.
XXXIV. Rev_2:28. τὸν ἀστέρα τὸν πρωινόν