Revelation 2:19

Thy works (sou ta erga) . As in Revelation 2:2 and explained (explanatory use of kai =namely) by what follows. Four items are given, with separate feminine article for each (thn agaphn, thn pistin, thn diakonian, thn upomonhn), a longer list of graces than in Revelation 2:2 for Ephesus. More praise is given in the case of Ephesus and Thyatira when blame follows than in the case of Smyrna and Philadelphia when no fault is found. Love comes first in this list in true Johannine fashion. Faith (pistin) here may be "faithfulness," and ministry (diakonian) is ministration to needs of others ( Acts 11:29 ; 1 Corinthians 16:15 ). And that (kai). Only kai (and) in the Greek, but doubtless oti (that) is understood. Than the first (twn prwtwn). Ablative after the comparative pleiona (more).