Jesus is fully aware of developments in this congregation, as is clear from the word “I know.” (How could it be otherwise, given that Jesus was “in the midst of the lampstands,” that is, the churches?) He notices their “love and faith and service and patient endurance.” Their “love” produced works of “service” (care for one another; cf. Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:15), and their “faith” led to “patient endurance” in the face of challenges.
19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.