Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίαις
churches
G1577
ἐκκλησίαις
churches
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
4 of 33
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀσίᾳ·
Asia
G773
Ἀσίᾳ·
Asia
Strong's:
G773
Word #:
8 of 33
asia, i.e., asia minor, or (usually) only its western shore
χάρις
Grace
G5485
χάρις
Grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
9 of 33
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰρήνη
peace
G1515
εἰρήνη
peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
12 of 33
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
13 of 33
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενος
to come
G2064
ἐρχόμενος
to come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
22 of 33
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
24 of 33
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνευμάτων
Spirits
G4151
πνευμάτων
Spirits
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
27 of 33
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἃ
which
G3739
ἃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
28 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τοῦ
him which
G3588
τοῦ
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 11:2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;Psalms 90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.John 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Revelation 4:5And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.Revelation 5:6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Revelation 1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.Revelation 3:1And 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.James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.Zechariah 4:10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Historical Context
The seven churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) represented actual congregations facing real persecution. The explicit Trinitarian greeting countered both Jewish rejection of Christ's divinity and Roman emperor worship. By invoking the eternal God, John challenged Caesar's temporal claims to deity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's eternal existence ('which is, and which was, and which is to come') provide stability in your changing circumstances?
- What comfort does the Trinitarian source of grace and peace offer when facing spiritual opposition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Trinitarian greeting reflects the eternal, unchanging nature of God. 'Which is, and which was, and which is to come' echoes Exodus 3:14 ('I AM'), affirming God's self-existence and sovereignty over all time. The 'seven Spirits' likely represents the Holy Spirit in His fullness (Isaiah 11:2 lists seven aspects), with seven symbolizing completeness. This Trinitarian structure—Father, Spirit, Son (v. 5)—grounds the church's peace in the eternal counsel of the Godhead, not temporal circumstances. Grace and peace flow from divine sovereignty, a cornerstone of Reformed soteriology.