New Testament
Revelation 2:5
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Compare translations
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
What Revelation 2:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is addressing the church in Ephesus, urging them to remember their initial passion and commitment to Him. They have strayed from their first love, and He calls them to repent, which means to turn back to Him and restore their relationship. The 'lampstand' symbolizes their witness and presence in the world. If they do not repent and return to their original devotion, Jesus warns that He will remove their lampstand, indicating that their influence and effectiveness as a church will be lost. This serves as a serious reminder of the importance of maintaining a vibrant faith and actively living out their beliefs. The call to 'do the first works' emphasizes the need for action, not just feelings, in their faith journey. Overall, this verse highlights the necessity of self-reflection, repentance, and a return to foundational practices of faith to avoid spiritual decline.
How to apply Revelation 2:5 to your life
To apply this verse, take time to reflect on your spiritual journey. Identify areas where you may have lost your passion for God. Make a conscious effort to engage in practices that rekindle your love for Him, such as prayer, worship, and serving others. Actively seek to restore your relationship with God.
Curated for this public verse page. Revelation Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Mary, Jesus' mother's story: An Angel Visits Mary (Luke 1:26–38)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Mary, Jesus' mother
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Revelation 2:5
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Revelation 2:5
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Revelation
- Author
- John the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 95
- Genre
- Apocalyptic prophecy
- Original Audience
- The seven churches of Asia Minor
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Revelation 2:5 mean?
Revelation 2:5 means that Jesus is calling the church in Ephesus to remember their initial love and commitment to Him. He urges them to repent for straying from that love and to return to their original devotion, warning that failure to do so could lead to losing their influence as a church.
What is the meaning of 'lampstand' in Revelation 2:5?
In Revelation 2:5, the 'lampstand' symbolizes the church's witness and presence in the world. If the church does not repent and return to its first love, Jesus warns that He will remove their lampstand, indicating a loss of their effectiveness in spreading the Gospel.
Why is repentance important in Revelation 2:5?
Repentance is important in Revelation 2:5 because it signifies a turning back to God and restoring a broken relationship. Jesus emphasizes that without repentance, the church risks losing its influence and effectiveness, highlighting the need for self-reflection and action.
What can we learn from Revelation 2:5 about spiritual decline?
Revelation 2:5 teaches that spiritual decline can occur when believers stray from their first love for God. It serves as a reminder to regularly assess our faith and take steps to rekindle our passion for God through repentance and active engagement in our faith.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.