“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9).
Just as we saw in His earlier message to the church at Ephesus, Jesus knew everything about the church at Smyrna. But how is it that the Christians of Smyrna were so poor while living in such a wealthy city? To answer that question, it helps to consider some of the political realities that were facing the church within that community.
First, it’s important to remember that the city of Smyrna promoted Emperor worship, along with the worship of other pagan deities during that time. A Christian who was serious about his or her relationship with Christ in that era was not likely to get along well in that environment. That may partially explain the reason why the Christians in Smyrna were suffering in poverty.
But there may have been another contributing factor as well. You see, Smyrna also featured a first-century version of modern day labor unions called “guilds” during that time. These guilds served as organizations for craftsmen and business owners that established rules and requirements for various industries. One such requirement involved an oath of loyalty to Caesar. Those who refused to declare that “Caesar is Lord” were denied membership within these guilds.
This meant that Christians who refused to worship the Emperor in Smyrna likely had difficulty finding employment. Furthermore, it was a traitorous offense for anyone to refuse to worship the Emperor during that period. The Roman government could respond to such acts of “disloyalty” by confiscating financial assets or property. These harsh realities may help explain why the Christians in Smyrna were so poor in a city of such great wealth.
In fact, when Jesus says, “I know… your poverty,” He uses a word that means. “the condition of one destitute of riches and abundance.” (1) But despite these things, Jesus also told the church at Smyrna, “… you are rich.” How could Jesus say such a thing to those who possessed so little? Well, it seems that Jesus was reminding His readers of something He said earlier in Matthew 6:19-21…
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth where they can erode away or may be stolen. Store them in heaven where they will never lose their value and are safe from thieves. If your profits are in heaven, your heart will be there too” (TLB).
(1) G4432 – ptocheia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4432/kjv/tr/0-1/