Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration 'those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; so be zealous and repent' applies the Proverbs 3:12 principle ('the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights') to Christ's correction of the Laodicean church. The present tense 'I love' (phileō — affectionate, familial love rather than agapaō) is theologically significant: the rebuke is an expression of active love, not its suspension. Hebrews 12:5-11 develops the same Proverbs text into an extended theology of divine discipline as evidence of sonship rather than abandonment. The verse is immediately followed by the invitation to open the door (verse 20), making the call to repentance the precondition for the intimate fellowship promised to the one who opens.
Other Translations
As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
`As many as I love, I do convict and chasten; be zealous, then, and reform;
To all those who are dear to me, I give sharp words and punishment: then with all your heart have sorrow for your evil ways.
Cross References
Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed …
For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations …
O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, …
In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a …
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they …
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto …
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.