Rev 1:5 | RWP | e4.org | Who is the faithful witness ( ο μαρτυς ο πιστος ). "The witness the faithful," nominative in apposition like πρωτοτοκος and αρχων with the preceding ablative Ιησου Χριστου with απο , a habit of John in this book (apparently on purpose) as in , ; , etc. See this same phrase in ; . The use of μαρτυς of Jesus here is probably to the witness ( ) in this book ( .), not to the witness of Jesus before Pilate ( ). The first-born of the dead ( ο πρωτοτοκος των νεκρων ). A Jewish Messianic title ( ) and as in refers to priority in the resurrection to be followed by others. See for the word. The ruler of the kings of the earth ( ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης ). Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth ( ; ), what the devil offered him by surrender ( .). Unto him that loveth us ( τω αγαπωντ ημας ). Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντ ) active participle of αγαπαω in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ ( ; ; , .; , , etc.). For the thought see . Loosed ( λυσαντ ). First aorist active participle of λυω (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντ (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always. By his blood ( εν τω αιματ αυτου ). As in . John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption.

‏ Revelation of John 1:5

Who is the faithful witness ( ο μαρτυς ο πιστος ). "The witness the faithful," nominative in apposition like πρωτοτοκος and αρχων with the preceding ablative Ιησου Χριστου with απο, a habit of John in this book (apparently on purpose) as in 2:13, 20; 3:12, etc. See this same phrase in 2:13; 3:14. The use of μαρτυς of Jesus here is probably to the witness (1:1) in this book (22:16f.), not to the witness of Jesus before Pilate (1Ti 6:13).

The first-born of the dead ( ο πρωτοτοκος των νεκρων ). A Jewish Messianic title (Ps 88:28) and as in Col 1:18 refers to priority in the resurrection to be followed by others. See Lu 2:7 for the word.

The ruler of the kings of the earth ( ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης ). Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth (17:14; 19:16), what the devil offered him by surrender (Mt 4:8f.).

Unto him that loveth us ( τω αγαπωντ ημας ). Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντ ) active participle of αγαπαω in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ (1:6; 4:11; 5:9, 12f.; 7:10, 12, etc.). For the thought see Joh 3:16.

Loosed ( λυσαντ ). First aorist active participle of λυω (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντ (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always.

By his blood ( εν τω αιματ αυτου ). As in 5:9. John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption.