Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
12. power, &c.] Lit. the power. Notice that the praises ascribed are either sevenfold, as here; fourfold, as in the next verse; or threefold, as in Rev 4:11, Rev 19:1 (true text).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain – See the notes on Rev 5:2, Rev 5:9. The idea here is, that the fact that he was slain, or was made a sacrifice for sin, was the ground or reason for what is here ascribed to him. Compare the notes on Rev 5:5.
To receive power – Power or authority to rule over all things. Compare notes on Mat 28:18. The meaning here is, that he was worthy that these things should be ascribed to him, or to be addressed and acknowledged as possessing them. A part of these things were his in virtue of his very nature – as wisdom, glory, riches; a part were conferred on him as the result of his work – as the mediatorial dominion over the universe, the honor resulting from his work, etc. In view of all that he was, and of all that he has done, he is here spoken of as worthy of all these things.
And riches – Abundance. That is, he is worthy that whatever contributes to honor, and glory, and happiness, should be conferred on him in abundance. Himself the original proprietor of all things, it is fit that he should be recognized as such; and having performed the work which he has, it is proper that whatever may be made to contribute to his honor should be regarded as his.
And wisdom – That he should be esteemed as eminently wise; that is, that as the result of the work which he has accomplished, he should be regarded as having ability to choose the best ends and the best means to accomplish them. The feeling here referred to is what arises from the contemplation of the work of salvation by the Redeemer, as a work eminently characterized by wisdom – wisdom manifested in meeting the evils of the fall; in honoring the law; in showing that mercy is consistent with justice; and in adapting the whole plan to the character and needs of man. If wisdom was anywhere demanded, it was in reconciling a lost world to God; if it has been anywhere displayed, it has been in the arrangements for that work, and in its execution by the Redeemer. See the notes on 1Co 1:24; compare Mat 13:54; Luk 2:40, Luk 2:52; 1Co 1:20-21, 1Co 1:30; Eph 1:8; Eph 3:10.
And strength – Ability to accomplish his purposes. That is, it is meet that he should be regarded as having such ability. This strength or power was manifested in overcoming the great enemy of man; in his control of winds, and storms, and diseases, and devils; in triumphing over death; in saving his people.
And honor – He should be esteemed and treated with honor for what he has done.
And glory – This word refers to a higher ascription of praise than the word honor. Perhaps that might refer to the honor which we feel in our hearts; this to the expression of that by the language of praise.
And blessing – Everything which would express the desire that he might be happy, honored, and adored. To bless one is to desire that he may have happiness and prosperity; that he may be successful, respected, and honored. To bless God, or to ascribe blessing to him, is that state where the heart is full of love and gratitude, and where it desires that he may be everywhere honored, loved, and obeyed as he should be. The words here express the wish that the universe would ascribe to the Redeemer all honor, and that he might be everywhere loved and adored.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. To receive power] That is, Jesus Christ is worthy to take, , to have ascribed to him, power-omnipotence; riches-beneficence; wisdom-omniscience; strength-power in prevalent exercise; honour-the highest reputation for what he has done; glory-the praise due to such actions; and blessing-the thankful acknowledgments of the whole creation. Here are seven different species of praise; and this is exactly agreeable to the rabbinical forms, which the author of this book keeps constantly in view. See Sepher Rasiel, fol. 39, 2: “To thee belongs cabod, glory; gedulah, magnitude; geburah, might; hammamlakah, the kingdom; hattiphereth, the honour; hannetsach, the victory; vehahod, and the praise.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain; the Lamb mentioned Rev 5:6, with seven horns and seven eyes, viz. Jesus Christ.
To receive power, and riches; he is worthy of those horns he weareth, emblems of power and strength given unto him; for all power was given him in heaven and earth.
And wisdom; and of those seven eyes he hath, i.e. of the spirit of wisdom, Isa 11:2, the riches of grace and wisdom.
And strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing; and of all the homage, glory, praise, blessing, and obedience, which people can give him. I know not whether there be any thing in the observation made by some, that the number of things here mentioned, of which the Lamb is worthy, answereth the number of the seven Spirits of God, before mentioned.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. to receive powerGreek,“the power.” The remaining six (the whole beingseven, the number for perfection and completeness)are all, as well as “power,” ranged under the one Greekarticle, to mark that they form one complete aggregatebelonging to God and His co-equal, the Lamb. Compare Re7:12, where each of all seven has the article.
richesboth spiritualand earthly.
blessingascribedpraise: the will on the creature’s part, though unaccompaniedby the power, to return blessing for blessing conferred[ALFORD].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Saying with a loud voice,…. To signify their zeal, fervour, and affection for Christ, and to make a free, open, and public acknowledgment of him, and that all might hear of his worthiness, and of the praise and glory that were due unto him:
worthy is the Lamb that was slain; they address him as the Lamb, and not as the Lord of lords, and their Lord; and speak of him as having been slain, and celebrate the virtue and efficacy of his sufferings and death, and ascribe his worthiness to receive glory and honour thereunto; but do not add, as the living creatures and elders do, “and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood”; because, though they were the subjects and objects of confirming grace by Christ, yet not of redeeming grace: it follows,
to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour,
and glory, and blessing; as the book has seven seals to be unloosed, and Christ had seven horns of power and ability to loose them, and fulfil the things contained in it, and seven eyes to look into it, and discover and reveal what is in it, so here are “seven” words made use of, to express the praise that was due unto him; a like number is used by the angels in Re 7:12; and when he is said to be worthy to receive these, it is not to be understood of his receiving the things themselves, but of the praise of them; and that these are to be observed in him, and to be ascribed to him: power belongs to him, as he is the mighty God; and as the Saviour and Redeemer of his people; and as risen from the dead, and as exalted at God’s right hand, and made or declared Lord and Christ; having all power in heaven and in earth: “riches” may well be ascribed to him, who has all the perfections of deity in him; whose are the heavens and the earth, and the fulness thereof; and who, as Mediator, is heir of all things, and has both the riches of grace and glory in his hands: “wisdom” also is his; he is wisdom itself, he is the only wise God; and he is the author of all wisdom, natural and spiritual; and, as Mediator, he has the spirit of wisdom and knowledge resting on him, and the treasures of both hid in him: and “strength” may be well attributed to him, which he has shown in making and supporting all things; in saving and redeeming his people with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; and in subduing and vanquishing all his and their enemies; and in giving strength to them to discharge their duty, resist temptations, oppose corruptions, and do their generation work: “honour” is due to him, as the Son of God, he being to be honoured equally as the Father; and who, as man and Mediator, is crowned with glory and honour: “glory” is what ought to be ascribed unto him, even the glory of true and proper deity, and also the glory of salvation; and who, as Mediator, had a glory promised him, and which was due unto him upon his having finished his work, and which he now enjoys: wherefore “blessing” is to be given to him, who is God over all, blessed for evermore, in himself and the perfections of his nature; in whom all spiritual blessings are, and in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed; and to whom praise and thanks are to be rendered, for the blessings of pardoning, justifying, and redeeming grace, and for all other.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Worthy (). Agreeing in gender (grammatical neuter) with , but some MSS. have (masculine, natural gender). Note change to third person instead of second . The point of the song is the same as that in verses Rev 5:9; Rev 5:10, but the language differs. Note the repeated article (the lamb the slain) referring to verses Rev 5:6; Rev 5:9. Note also the one article before for all the seven grounds of praise (, power, , wealth, , wisdom, , strength, , honor, , glory, , blessing), though is masculine, in contrast with separate article for each item (all three feminine) in 4:11, here grouping them all together, “a heptad of praise” (Swete).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Power, etc. Rev., “the power.” Compare the ascription in chapter Rev 4:11, on which see note, and notice that each separate particular there has the article, while here it is attached only to the first, the power, the one article including all the particulars, as if they formed but one word. On the doxologies, see on chapter Rev 1:6.
Riches [] . Not limited to spiritual riches, but denoting the fulness of every gift of God. Jas 1:17; Act 17:25. Only here in a doxology. Blessing [] . See on the kindred word eujloghtov blessed, 1Pe 1:3.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Saying with a loud voice,” (legontes phone megaie) “Saying with a great (a megaphone) voice,” a voice of cordiality, hearty gladness, as they as ministering spiritual, angelic creatures joined in joyous accord of worthy praise to the Lamb because of his finished work of redemption, of which they were knowledgeable, Heb 1:14; 1Pe 1:12; even as at the birth of Christ, Luk 2:9-14.
2) “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive,” (aksios estin to arnion to esphagmenon labein) “Worthy is the lamb which has been slain to receive,” seven things:
a) “power,” (ten dunamin) “the power,” dynamic and administrative power, to sit and reign as king over the earth, Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:24-28.
b) “and riches,” (kai plouton) “and wealth,” or riches, which he deserted in heaven to redeem the world, 2Co 8:9; Eph 1:18; and receives “the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”
c) “and wisdom,” (kai spohian) and wisdom, “in whom the fulness (in character and wisdom) of the Godhead dwelleth bodily, Col 2:9.
d) “and strength,” (kai ischun) “And strength,” or power physically manifested to rule with a rod of iron, Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15.
e) “and honor,” (kai timen) “And honor,” 1Ti 6:16; Rev 4:9; Rev 4:11; Rev 7:12; Rev 19:1; Rev 19:7, even at the marriage of the Lamb.
f) “and glory,” (kai doksan) “And glory,” which he received in the resurrection, 1Pe 1:21; Rev 1:6; Jud 1:25.
g) “and blessing,” (kai eulogian) “And blessing,” favor, kindness, and goodness, to him who is about to take the title-deed and judgment book from the Father upon the throne and begin his Judgment of rewards for all saints and all the redeemed, 2Co 5:10-11; Rev 5:13; Rev 7:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(12) Saying with a loud voice . . .The second chorus: the chorus of angels
Worthy is the Lamb,
That hath been slain,
To receive the power.
And riches, and wisdom, and might,
And honour, and glory, and blessing.
The doxology is seven-fold. We have noticed (Rev. 1:6) the increasing strength of the doxologies in which the redeemed take part. This, though a sevenfold one, does not interrupt that advance of praise; for in this chorus the redeemed do not take part. The definite article is prefixed to the word power only; in the doxologies of Rev. 4:11; Rev. 7:12 it stands before each word. This has led some to view the single article as prefixed to all that follows, and to regard all the words as though they formed one word. May it not, however, be used to give emphasis to the power? None, above or below, was able (same word as power here) to open the book (Rev. 5:3); but the Lamb has conquered to open it, and the chorus proclaims the Lamb worthy of that power. Some have thought that the seven terms of the doxology refer to the seven seals which the Lamb is about to open. This seems strained. The notion of completeness is common to this seven-fold blessing and the seven seals; this is the only connection between them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. The angels furnish their sevenfold ascription to the Lamb; such ascription as Scripture never makes to angels.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Ver. 12. With a loud voice ] Betokening their earnest affection; which also is here notably expressed by the many particulars they ascribe to Christ, as if they could never give enough to him. Now if angels, who have nothing so much benefit by him, do thus magnify him, how much more should we! Our hearts should be enlarged, our mouths opened, and we not a little vexed at our own vile dulness in being no more affected with these indelible ravishments.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rev 5:12 . For similar arrangements in Jewish doxologies, see Gfrrer, ii. 146 8; and, for . . . see Dan 2:37 (LXX). groups together the seven words of the panegyric; honour and glory and praise are due to one whose victorious death has won him the power of bestowing incalculable riches on his people and of unriddling the future, against all opposition (Weiss). The refrain of . is heard in Rev 11:17 , and had been already associated with “wealth” and “power” (Eph 1:18 f.) or “wisdom” (2Co 3:7 f., Rev 4:4 , etc.) in Christ (contrast Isa 53:2 LXX). The act of taking the book (Rev 5:7 ) suggests the general authority and prestige of the Lamb, which is acknowledged in this doxology. The order in 12, 13 is the same as in Psa 103:20-22 , where the angels are followed by creation in the worship. When God’s creatures and servants magnify, praise, and bless him, yielding themselves to his dominion, and acknowledging that to him all the strength and wealth and wisdom of life rightly belong, God is honoured. Christ was glorified by God ( cf. Act 3:13 , Rom 6:4 , Joh 17:1 ) at the resurrection, when God’s power raised him to eternal life; he is glorified by men in their homage and submission to him as the sole medium of redemption and revelation.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
loud = great.
power = the power. App-172.
and. The repeated “ands” in verses: Rev 5:12, Rev 5:13 form a remarkable Polysyndeton (App-6). In Rev 5:12 the sevenfold (App-10) ascription is noticed. Compare Rev 4:11.
strength. App-172.
glory. See p. 1511.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 5:12. ) is neuter; whence many have written : but regards the meaning itself.[70]- , …) The sevenfold subject of their acclamations answers to the seven seals, in the first four of which are contained visible things, in the remaining three, invisible things, subject to the Lamb.
[70] Hence the margin of Ed. ii. reckoned among the better supported readings that of , though in the Ed. maj. it was numbered among the less supported.-E. B.
A reads ; Rec. Text, .-E.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Worthy: Rev 5:9, Zec 13:7
to receive: Rev 4:11, Rev 7:12, Rev 19:1, Mat 28:18, Joh 3:35, Joh 3:36, Joh 17:2, 2Co 8:9, Phi 2:9-11, 1Ti 1:17
Reciprocal: Gen 22:8 – General Exo 25:20 – toward 2Sa 22:4 – worthy 1Ch 16:29 – the glory 1Ch 29:10 – Blessed be thou 1Ch 29:11 – is the greatness Psa 18:3 – who Psa 103:22 – all his works Psa 104:31 – The glory Psa 111:3 – honourable Psa 138:5 – for great Psa 145:11 – the glory Dan 2:20 – for wisdom Dan 2:37 – power Zec 9:17 – how great is his beauty Mat 4:11 – behold Mat 6:9 – Hallowed Mat 13:41 – The son Mat 22:42 – What Joh 1:29 – Behold Act 7:2 – The God Act 19:17 – the name Rom 11:36 – to whom 1Co 5:7 – Christ Gal 1:5 – whom Eph 1:8 – in Eph 3:10 – manifold Phi 4:20 – unto Heb 1:4 – so Heb 12:22 – an innumerable 1Pe 4:11 – dominion Rev 1:6 – to him Rev 5:6 – a Lamb Rev 5:13 – blessing Rev 13:8 – Lamb Rev 14:1 – a Lamb
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 5:12. The praises of these angels were along the same line as those that were given by the creatures in verse 9 and for the same reason. The favors named in the verse do not refer to any specific blessings. As a group they signify that the Lamb of God is entitled to every blessing that God can bestow, and that they will rejoice in the great honors thus given to Him.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 12.
2. “Worthy is the Lamb . . . to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, blessing”–Rev 5:12.
The number of these attributes is seven. It represents the complete essence of divinity. The seven attributes are distinct, no overlapping, no synonymous repetition, every word a definition of its own, a jewel in his crown of divine splendor.
Power: It is that attribute of supreme and absolute and underived authority (Rom 1:20; 1Ti 6:16 –the inherent right to do what is his will, and to hinder what is not his will. (Mat 6:13) It is all power (Mat 28:18); in earth over men (Joh 17:2; Psa 110:1-7); over the devil (Heb 2:14); in heaven over angels (Col 1:16; 1Pe 3:22); to him, the head of all principalities and power, the angelic chorus ascribed all praise.
Riches: The abounding unlimited sources to bestow and endow all things pecuniary and spiritual. (Psa 24:1; Romans 12:33)
Wisdom: The attribute and the title of him from whom it emanates (Pro 3:19; Pro 8:22-23). Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God personified from everlasting before all worlds, to be the Word through whom the Father resolved all of his purposes, to create, to govern, to uphold, to judge, to save-all wisdom is ascribed to him (Col 2:3)–“Where shall wisdom be found”?–Job exclaimed: Referring to the sublime and eminent wisdom, existing only in the counsels of God far beyond man’s reach. The excellence of knowledge and prudence are combined and centered in him who is from everlasting the wisdom of God. The eighth chapter of Proverbs is a large and profound’ discourse on the divine wisdom personified in Him.
Strength: The strength of anything is its substance, and in beings it is their character. The strength here mentioned is an integral attribute belonging to God, an essential divine emanation; the prerogative to rule over all things; and is joined to omnipotence and majesty. (Psa 93:1) The Lamb of the apocalypse was worthy to receive all the adoration in these attributes.
Honour: The word is not employed here in the sense of outward respect or deference, but denotes the integrity of a Being who deserves adoration, a divine Being, clothed with honor as a part of his Being; it is an attribute, not a term of praise. In its original sense honor is derived from honesty; it denotes what is a superlative moral attribute.
Glory: In this word is the effulgence or brightness of God, called in Heb 1:3, the brightness of his glory. It is absolute perfection in holiness, in contrast with men who come short of it (Rom 3:23). God is the King of Glory (Psalms 24:80, and Christ is the “express image of his person,” “being the brightness of his glory”–the divine effulgence. As God is called “King of glory” (Psalms 24:80), Christ is called “Lord of glory” (Jas 2:1) , and the “hope of glory” (Col 1:27). Moses pleaded to see the glory of God (Exo 33:8) in manifestation; the heavens declare it (Psa 19:1); Christ is His glory (Heb 1:3); and has the glory of God (Joh 17:5); and glory is ascribed to him in all the benedictions in the apostolic epistles (Rom 16:27; 1Ti 1:17; Php 4:20); and in the climax of them all the angelic anthem in chorus and song ascribe to Him all honour and glory.
Blessing: This is a word of frequent occurrence, the meaning of which must be determined by the connection. Men bless God in ascribing praise; God blesses men in temporal and spiritual mercies bestowed. The evident meaning here in the doxology of the angels, is praise, adoration, thanksgiving, blessing, that he alone, the Lamb in the midst of the throne, was able to open the book, and reveal its seals. In this sense Israel blessed God (Jos 22:23); so did Nehemiah, Ezra and Job (Neh 8:6; Job 1:21); in the same circumstances Daniel blessed the God of heaven (Dan 2:19); and Simeon blessed God for Jesus (Luk 2:28); and Paul proclaimed the Creator blessed forever (Rom 1:25) and the Christ is God blessed forever (Rom 9:5)–“Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, who only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” All of this was the mingled praise of “the voice of many angels.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 5:12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to take the power, and riches and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing. It will be observed that one article is connected with power alone, thus showing that this power stands in a conception by itself, and that the other parts of the doxology are added for the sake of enlarging the idea, so constituting one whole (comp. note on Joh 14:6). The thought of the power then is no doubt prominent, either because reigning had been spoken of immediately before, or, as has been suggested, because of Rev 5:3. No one was able, had power, to open the roll, but the Lamb overcame, so as to open itThis power belongs essentially to the Lamb, and He takes it to Himself (comp. on chap. Rev 4:11). The other things ascribed to Him follow as parts of the Messianic kingdom, the kingdom of redemption; and it may be noticed that all, taken together, make up the sacred number seven.The chorus is now still further enlarged.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Christ is worthy in every way, which is clearly seen in these seven expressions of worthiness.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to {d} receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
(d) To have all praise given to him, as to the mightest and wisest
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Lamb deserves all power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. All seven qualities belong intrinsically to Christ.
"The angels use seven expressions (the perfect number is probably significant) to indicate the wonder of the Lamb." [Note: Morris, p. 101.]
The repetition of "and" (Gr. kai) between each quality brings special emphasis to each one individually. This is a literary device called polysyndeton. It "produces the impression of extensiveness and abundance by means of an exhaustive summary." [Note: F. Blass and A. Debrunner, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, paragraph 460 (3).]