Discovery BoxRevelation 2:8-10 
Context2:8 “To 1 the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: 2
“This is the solemn pronouncement of 3 the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but 4 came to life: 2:9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering 5 and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know 6 the slander against you 7 by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue 8 of Satan. 2:10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown 9 into prison so you may be tested, 10 and you will experience suffering 11 for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 12
1 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.
2 tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.
3 tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.
sn The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in 2:1.
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.
5 tn Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).
6 tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “I also know” to link this English sentence back to “I know” at the beginning of the verse.
7 tn The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
8 sn A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59).
9 tn Grk “is about to throw some of you,” but the force is causative in context.
10 tn Or “tempted.”
11 tn Or “experience persecution,” “will be in distress” (see L&N 22.2).
12 tn Grk “crown of life,” with the genitive “of life” (τῆς ζωῆς, th" zwh") functioning in apposition to “crown” (στέφανον, stefanon): “the crown that consists of life.”
