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Rev_3:1-6. The epistle to the church at Sardis.
Sardis, the ancient capital of the kings of Lydia, of whom Crœsus was the last, in a rich plain irrigated by the auriferous Pactolus, bounded on the south by Mount Tmolus, lying about thirteen hours south of Thyatira, and three days’ journey east of Ephesus, was distinguished for its wealth and luxury. Under Tiberius, Sardis, with twelve other cities, suffered severely from an earthquake, and was restored by the assistance of the emperor.[1300] In the history of the Christian Church, it does not again appear until the middle of the second century, and then as the residence of the Bishop Melito.[1301] The present Sardis is a paltry village.
[1300] Tacitus, Ann., ii. 47.
[1301] Eusebius, H. E., iv. 13, 26; v. 24.
The church at Sardis is severely reproved; yet it is rather intimated than expressly said as to wherein its wrong consisted. We are not to think of a proper, i.e., intentional hypocrisy,[1302] but of a mode of life which did not agree with the confession firmly maintained externally.[1303] Its members had a dead[1304] faith; they faltered in their faith, and lacked the works, and the holy, pure life, which proceed from the living power of the true faith.[1305]
The supposition of Ewald, that their heathenish life protected the Christians at Sardis from being annoyed by the heathen, and, that, for this reason, nothing is said in the epistle concerning ΘΛῖΨΙς and ὙΠΟΜΟΝΉ , is only reconciled with the text with great difficulty. At all events, the church had enough Christian appearance (Rev_3:1) to restrain the friendship of the heathen. But whether it had actually experienced no form of ΘΛῖΨΙς , even not from the Jews, and how this perhaps occurred, is not perceptible.
[1302] Vitr.
[1303] Cf. Ebrard.
[1304] Rev_3:1-2.
[1305] Cf. Rev_3:2-4.