February 14, 2022
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
In the Hellenistic world of the first century, Pergamos, which means elevation, sat atop a high and very steep hill. It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. In addition to its militarily advantaged position, it had a very exalted place in the minds of the general population. The library there was world-famous, upholding the city’s reputation of superiority in the fields of politics, economics, religion (pagans are very religious), medicine, and intellectual life. The city was famed for its enormous temples and statues dedicated to the various pagan gods.
The worship system included Roman emperor worship. Every citizen of the province was required to appear yearly before Pergamum’s magistrates to offer a pinch of incense while saying “Caesar is Lord.” The certificate received for doing this was one’s “safety and protection” for the year.
The heady atmosphere of pride and arrogance was personified by the Roman governor who was [supposedly] endowed with the power of life and death. This endowment was called ius gladdi – literally “the right of the sword.” Knowing this gives a particular depth of meaning to this identification that Jesus chose for Himself: He who has the sharp two-edged sword (Revelation 2:12). While many humans might claim “the power of life and death,” those submitted to Christ are given assurance that power over life and death belongs only to Him! The power of His Word is all that will be needed when the time comes to pronounce judgement: eternal life to the faithful and eternal death for the unfaithful.
The emperor-worship policy was a test of loyalty to Rome. Without the aforementioned certificate, one was subjected to persecution and/or death. The church at Pergamos had false teachers who were encouraging their members to avoid trouble by compromising with regard to emperor worship and also to take part in pagan socio-religious activities (see 2:14). It’s no big deal, said they in eloquent Greek, to do what you have to do to get along in the world. It will be worth it to get that certificate. You’ll be accepted in society and allowed to conduct business – to buy and sell, said the false teachers.
The commendation of Jesus to His faithful ones at Pergamos (2:13) means a very great deal in light of the situation: “…you hold fast to My name and did not deny My faith . . .” As for that prized certificate of safety and protection, hear the precious promise of our Savior to His faithful overcomers: I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” (v.17b)