"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”
(Revelation 2:8-9)
The church at Smyrna heard the false accusations of Jews in the city. “I know… the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” The implication is that, though racially Jewish, spiritually they are not sons of Abraham. As Paul told the Romans, “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13). And again in Romans 2:28-29, Paul confirms: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
The Jews of Smyrna railed against the gospel and righteousness through faith in Christ. Jesus calls them “a synagogue of Satan” for their blasphemous opposition to the truth in Christ. In contrast, the church fulfills this promise to Abraham since it stands as the true heir of righteousness by faith, having been circumcised in the heart through regeneration.
(Phil A. Newton)
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