Revelation 2:3

persevered
The Ephesians had in common their perseverance (ὑπομονὴν [hypomonēn] ) with John’s patience (Rev. Rev. 1:9+), the trait of faithfully waiting while “abiding under” or bearing a heavy load. Patience and perseverance are qualities which attend selflessness, for they seek things other than self (Rom. Rom. 2:7). Perseverance is produced by tribulation (Rom. Rom. 5:3). What God has revealed afore time helps us remain patient under conditions we might not otherwise tolerate because we have hope (Rom. Rom. 15:4).

have labored
The Ephesian church had dutifully labored to produce fruit (Tit. Tit. 3:8, Tit. 3:14). These labors were evidence of the reality of their faith (Jas. Jas. 2:17-26). The Ephesian church had a clean bill of health from an external perspective.

My name’s sake
Jesus predicted that the Ephesians and all believers would be reviled, hated, and persecuted for His name’s sake (Mtt. Mat. 5:11; Mat. 10:22). It is extremely important that we take care that our persecution is for His name’s sake rather than for our name’s sake. How often do we abuse His name to defend insensitivity or rudeness on our part? When the world hates or persecutes us, is it truly because of His name? Are there times when we deserve the treatment which we have justly earned, but rationalize it by incorrectly attributing it to our position in Christ?

Anything done for His name’s sake must be done with His character . Since we are called by His name (Acts Acts 15:17; Jas. Jas. 2:7), when our actions contravene the Word of God, we profane His name (Lev. Lev. 19:12; Lev. 20:3; Lev. 22:2, Lev. 22:32; Pr. Pr. 30:9; Isa. Isa. 48:11; Isa. 52:5; Jer. Jer. 34:16; Eze. Eze. 20:9, Eze. 20:14, Eze. 20:22, Eze. 20:30; Eze. 36:21-23; Eze. 39:7).