Yet you have still a few names in Sardis: it should be noticed that the words are addressed to “the angel” of the church in Sardis, who is told “You still have a few people in Sardis who….” If a translation follows this form, care should be taken to avoid giving the impression that the angel owns or controls these people—and this may be difficult to avoid. The text means that they belong to “your” church, the church of which you are “the angel.” So it may be better to imitate Good News Translation, “But a few of you there in Sardis…”; note New Jerusalem Bible “There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who….” In 2.1 we suggested that “angel” may be better expressed as “representative.” So in this verse one may say “In the church in Sardis, which you represent, there are a few people….” Here names means “people” (see 2.3), referring specifically to Christians.

Who have not soiled their garments: to keep one’s clothes clean is a figure for pure behavior, Christian conduct. If there is danger that the figure of speech be taken literally, the translation may abandon it and say “who have not been defiled (or, corrupted) by sin,” “who have kept themselves spiritually pure,” “who have lived pure lives as Christians.” Or it may be possible to retain the figure but state it positively, as Good News Translation has done, “who have kept their clothes clean.” In English “to soil one’s clothes” refers to a specific and unfortunate action.

And they shall walk with me in white: the color white may be symbolic of victory, or immortality, or purity. Purity is indicated by what precedes, and victory by what follows. But the translator must avoid the temptation to explicitly build into the figure the meaning it is supposed to have, unless a literal rendering conveys the wrong meaning. In that case it will be helpful to have a footnote explaining what white refers to. The verb walk with means to accompany, either as a disciple (see John 6.66) or as a friend and companion, in the Messianic kingdom. Translators should try to maintain the symbol of “walking” if at all possible.

For they are worthy: they deserve it, they have a right to do so, for they have lived as Christ, or God, would have them live.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• But there are a few people whom you represent in Sardis who have lived pure lives as Christians. They will walk with me wearing pure white garments, because they have the right to do this.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .