One of the seven churches in Asia Minor
Philadelphia
Named in 2 verses of Revelation, first in Revelation 1:11.
ΦιλαδέλφειαPhiladelphia
The name means “love of a brother.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Philadelphia Written by AI
Philadelphia was a city in the region of Lydia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) and was one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:11; 3:7). In the letter to the church in Philadelphia, the risen Christ commends the believers for their faithfulness, despite their limited strength (Rev. 3:8). He acknowledges that they have kept His word and have not denied His name (Rev. 3:8). Christ also mentions that He has placed before them an open door that no one can shut (Rev. 3:8), possibly referring to opportunities for spreading the gospel. The church in Philadelphia is promised protection from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world (Rev. 3:10) and is encouraged to hold fast to what they have, so that no one may take their crown (Rev. 3:11). The faithful in Philadelphia are assured that Christ will make them a pillar in the temple of God, and they will bear the name of God, the New Jerusalem, and Christ's new name (Rev. 3:12).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Brotherly love, a city of Lydia in Asia Minor, about 25 miles south-east of Sardis. It was the seat of one of the “seven churches” (Rev. 3:7-12). It came into the possession of the Turks in A.D. 1392. It has several times been nearly destroyed by earthquakes. It is still a town of considerable size, called Allahshehr, “the city of God.”
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
38.349, 28.519 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- Revelation 1:11
saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
- Revelation 3:7
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.