1I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, 2for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time, 7to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. 9In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, 10but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness. 11Let a woman learn in quietness with full submission. 12But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; 15but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with sobriety.
3:1 Sardis, located 30 miles southeast of Thyatira, had been the capital of Lydia. The worship of the Roman Caesar and of Artemis, goddess of fertility, were active here. The seven Spirits may be the Holy Spirit, or perhaps seven angels ( 1:4 ). The seven stars are “the angels of the seven churches” ( 1:20 ).
3:2 No one’s works are completely perfect before God (see Rom 3:23 ). Unbelievers, those whose names are not “written in the Book of Life” ( Rev 20:15 ), will be judged solely according to their works ( 20:12 , 13 ).
3:3 Christ’s warning that He will come unexpectedly as a thief echoes His repeated emphasis in Matt 24:36-25:13 : Be alert and ready for My coming ( Rev 16:15 ).
3:4 Those who have not defiled their garments are those who have remained faithful to Christ. Unlike some of the believers, they have had victory over sin and have demonstrated a practical righteousness. The Lord promises those who have not defiled their garments that they will walk with Him in white, for they are worthy. This image probably describes righteous acts, not the imputed righteousness of Christ ( 19:8 ).
3:5 The white garments probably symbolize the Lord’s recognition of godly character and faithful service in this life (v. 4 ; 6:11 ; 19:7 , 8 ). White is the color of the garments the redeemed will wear in the Lord’s presence ( 7:13 , 14 ). The Book of Life is the list of the eternally redeemed ( 20:12 , 15 ). To not blot out is a figure of speech, affirming a positive by negating its opposite. Thus it means “I will include their names.” Blot out likely alludes to Exod 32:32 , 33 , where God says He will blot out sinners, but not faithful ones like Moses, from His Book. Christ will make sure the faithful believer’s name and works are not erased, but remembered and honored. Confess his name before My Father and before His angels: The text does not state that any believer will have his name blotted out of the Book of Life (see Luke 10:20 ). Rather, the faithful believer will be resoundingly confessed before the saints, the angels, and the Father by the Son (see Matt 10:32 , 33 ; 2 Tim 2:12 ). To have the Lord publicly confess one’s name is to have the Lord’s approval of one’s character and service (see Matt 10:32 , 33 ; 1 Tim 2:12 , 13 ).
NKJV Study Bible.