2:5a

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces the desired result of hearing the rebuke in 2:4. The believers should remember and repent. Other ways to translate this word are:

then (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
So (AB)

You should begin this verse in the way that is natural in your language.

keep in mind: This phrase refers to thinking again about something that is already known. Other ways to translate this word are:

Think again about
-or-
Do not forget

how far you have fallen: This is a figure of speech. The phrase how far you have fallen indicates that the believers no longer loved as much.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

how great the love was that you used to have
-or-
how greatly/warmly you used to love!

• Use a different idiom. For example:

how close you once were to God/me

You may then want to explain the literal words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally: “the height from which you have fallen.” This saying refers figuratively to the believers’ great love as a long distance above them. Earlier they loved more or “higher,” but now they love less or “lower.”

2:5b

2:5b tells another thing that the believers must do.

Repent: This word is a command to change one’s mind, heart, and actions. Jesus commanded the believers to change the way they thought and behaved. This command indicates that they were to repent of the falling away of which Jesus spoke in 2:5a. Other ways to translate this word are:

Turn back to me (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
change your hearts ⌊and lives⌋
-or-
leave the ways of sin ⌊and follow the ways of God⌋

perform the deeds you did at first: This clause refers to the things the believers did because of their great love when they first believed. Your translation should indicate or imply a connection from this clause to the phrase “first love” in 2:4b. In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information. For example:

act as you used to when you first ⌊loved me⌋

2:5c–d

In 2:5c–d Jesus told them the consequences of not repenting. It is a threat to punish them if they do not repent. See also the General Comment at 2:5d.

2:5d

I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place:
Using the symbol of the lampstand, these words indicate that if the Ephesian believers do not repent, Jesus will cause their church to no longer exist. The believers would scatter, and none would meet in Ephesus.

In some languages people will not understand these words to have that meaning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate literally and explain or suggest its meaning in your translation. For example:

I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will come ⌊and end the church there by⌋ removing your lampstand from its place.
-or-
I will remove your lampstand. ⌊That is, I will remove your church⌋ .

• Translate literally and explain its symbolic meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This saying indicates that Jesus will cause that church to no longer exist, either by scattering the believers or some other means.

General Comment on 2:5c–d

The Revised Standard Version follows the order of the Greek phrases quite literally here. It says:

If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revised Standard Version)

The phrase “If not” can also be translated as “If you do not do that.” The Berean Standard Bible combines the Greek phrases “if not” and “unless you repent.” The Berean Standard Bible also places them together at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Another way to order the phrases is to reverse 2:5d and 2:5c:

5d I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place 5c if you don’t change. (God’s Word)

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