Revelation 2 · Verse 26

Revelation 2:26

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Revelation 2:26, King James Version

Revelation 2:26 in other translations

BSBAnd to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations.
WEBHe who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.
ASVAnd he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations:
YLTand he who is overcoming, and who is keeping unto the end my works, I will give to him authority over the nations,
DARBYAnd he that overcomes, and he that keeps unto the end my works, to him will I give authority over the nations,
BBEHe who overcomes, and keeps my works to the end, to him I will give rule over the nations,
WebsterAnd he that overcometh, and keepeth my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

What does Revelation 2:26 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
26. And--implying the close connection of the promise to the conqueror that follows, with the preceding exhortation, Re 2:25. and keepeth--Greek, "and he that keepeth." Compare the same word in the passage already alluded to by the Lord, Ac 15:28, 29, end. my works--in contrast to "her (English Version, 'their') works" (Re 2:22). The works which I command and which are the fruit of My Spirit. unto the end--(Mt 24:13). The image is perhaps from the race, wherein it is not enough to enter the lists, but the runner must persevere to the end. give power--Greek, "authority." over the nations--at Christ's coming the saints shall possess the kingdom "under the whole heaven"; therefore over this earth; compare Lu 19:17, "have thou authority [the same word as here] over ten cities."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 26. And he that overcometh. Rev 2:7.

And keepeth my works unto the end. The works that I command and that I require, to the end of his life. See Jn 13:1.

To him will I give power over the nations. The evident meaning of what is said here, and in the next verse, is, that in accordance with the uniform promise made to the redeemed in the New Testament, they would partake of the final triumph and glory of the Saviour, and be associated with him. It is not said that they would have exclusive power over the nations, or that they would hold offices of trust under him during a personal reign on the earth; but the meaning is, that they would be associated with him in his future glory. Rom 8:17; 1Cor 6:2-3.

(g) "overcometh" Rev 2:7,11,17, 3:5,12,21, 21:7 (h) "works" Jn 6:29, Jas 2:20

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 26 Power over the nations - Every witness of Christ has power to confute and confound all the false doctrines and maxims of the nations of the world, for Christianity shall at last rule over all; the kingdom of Christ will come, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 2:18-29

Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better. All Christians should earnestly desire that…

Read the full comment on Revelation 2:18-29 →

Revelation 2:26 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ὁhothe [one]G3588
νικῶνnikōnovercomingG3528
καὶkaiandG2532
ὁhowhoG3588
τηρῶνtērōnis keepingG5083
ἄχριachriuntilG891
τέλουςtelous[the] endG5056
τὰtatheG3588
ἔργαergaworksG2041
μου,mouof Mine,G3165
δώσωdōsōI will giveG1325
αὐτῷautōto himG846
ἐξουσίανexousianauthorityG1849
ἐπὶepioverG1909
τῶνtōntheG3588
ἐθνῶν·ethnōnnations;G1484

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Revelation 2:26

  • Revelation 3:21

    To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

  • Daniel 7:27

    And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

  • Psalms 2:8

    Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

  • Revelation 20:4

    And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

  • Revelation 22:5

    And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

  • Matthew 24:13

    But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

  • John 6:29

    Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

  • 1 John 5:5

    Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

  • Revelation 2:11

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

  • Daniel 7:22

    Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

  • Revelation 2:17

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he.
7,11,17; 3:5,12,21; 21:7; Ro 8:37; 1Jo 5:5
keepeth.
Mt 24:13; Lu 8:13-15; Joh 6:29; 8:31,32; Ro 2:7; 1Th 3:5
Heb 10:38,39; Jas 2:20; 1Jo 2:19; 3:23
to him will I give.
3:21; 20:4; 22:5; Ps 49:14; Da 7:18,22,27; Mt 19:28; Lu 22:29,30
1Co 6:3,4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Revelation 2:25

    But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

  • Revelation 2:26

    And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

  • Revelation 2:27

    And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Read all of Revelation 2

Revelation 2:26 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y al que hubiere vencido, y hubiere guardado mis obras hasta el fin, yo le daré potestad sobre las gentes;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et celui qui vaincra, et celui qui gardera mes œuvres jusqu’à la fin, – je lui donnerai autorité sur les nations;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und wer überwindet und meine Werke bewahrt bis ans Ende, dem werde ich Gewalt über die Nationen geben;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et qui vicerit, et custodierit usque in finem opera mea, dabo illi potestatem super gentes,