In Revelation 2:4, Yeshua addresses the Ecclesia (Church) at Ephesus with both commendation and a strong rebuke:
"However, I am amazed because of what you yourself forsook – the first love."
This statement reveals both Yeshua’s concern for the spiritual state of the Ephesians and a profound truth about the nature of our relationship with Him. In this article, we will exegete this verse, exploring its meaning in the broader context of the Scriptures, and address what it means for believers today. We will also provide a questionnaire to help the conscientious believer reflect on their personal spiritual journey, as well as a concluding prayer to guide us in seeking restoration where necessary.
Exegesis of Revelation 2:4
In Revelation 2:1-7, Yeshua speaks directly to the Ephesian Ecclesia, a body of believers known for their hard work, perseverance, and resistance to false teachings. They were commended for their diligence in weeding out false apostles and maintaining doctrinal purity. However, Yeshua’s rebuke cuts deeply: they had "forsaken their first love."
The Greek word for “forsook” in this context is aphiemi, which implies a deliberate abandonment, or leaving behind something that once held deep significance. The Ephesians were known for their strong beginnings in faith, but over time, they had lost the fervency and love they once had for Yeshua and for others.
"First Love" – What Does It Mean?
“First love” refers to that initial passionate love that believers experience when they first come to know Yeshua. This love is marked by zeal, intimacy, and an eagerness to follow His teachings. However, the "first love" in this context also encompasses the greatest commandment Yeshua taught: to “love the Master your Elohim with all your heart, soul, and mind” and to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
The Ephesians had maintained orthodoxy in doctrine and perseverance in trials, but they had lost their fervent love. Their work became mechanical, devoid of the personal devotion and relational depth that should drive every believer’s life.
Elaboration and Application for Today’s Believers
1. Doctrinal Purity vs. Heartfelt Devotion
The Ephesians’ situation mirrors a common issue today. It is possible to be deeply involved in activities, doctrinal debates, or social causes, yet lose the heart of it all … our love for Yeshua. The focus can shift from a relationship with Him to mere religious duty.
Yeshua’s words here are a sobering reminder: good works, even those done in His Name, are empty if they are not fuelled by a deep love for Him. As believers, we must constantly guard our hearts, ensuring that our acts of service flow out of love and not simply out of obligation or tradition.
2. Love for Others as an Extension of Our Love for Yeshua
In 1 John 4:20, it is written: “If anyone says, ‘I love Elohim,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.” Our love for Yeshua must be reflected in the way we love others. The Ephesians may have been diligent in pointing out false doctrines, but they had neglected love in their dealings with others. This could manifest today as a lack of compassion or grace toward others, even while we defend doctrinal truth.
3. Restoring the First Love
Yeshua’s warning comes with hope. In Revelation 2:5, He calls the Ephesians to remember, repent, and return. These three steps are vital for any believer who finds that their love for Yeshua has waned:
Remember the passion and joy you had when you first came to faith.
Repent of any actions, attitudes, or neglect that have caused you to drift away from that love.
Return to the practices and disciplines that once helped foster intimacy with Yeshoua … prayer, worship, and spending time in His Word with the heart of seeking Him.
Considering Yeshua's Feelings
When we speak of Yeshua’s rebuke to the Ephesians, we must also consider how He feels. Yeshua loves His Ecclesia with an unfathomable, sacrificial love. He desires fellowship with us, not because He needs it, but because of His profound love for us. He longs for us to stay close to Him, to walk in intimacy and love, and it hurts Him when we become distant, when our relationship with Him becomes cold and mechanical.
Yeshua’s lament over the loss of “first love” reflects His deep heartache. It’s not just a matter of us failing to live up to some standard … it’s personal. He gave His life for us on the execution stake (cross) out of love, and He yearns for that love to be returned. When we drift away, it grieves Him, much like the heartbreak one feels when someone they love pulls away emotionally.
He is not rebuking the Ephesian believers from a place of cold authority, but from a place of love, longing for them to restore the closeness they once shared. Every act of service, every sacrifice we make, if not born out of love, misses the mark of what He desires. Yeshua is not just concerned with what we do, but why we do it.
A Questionnaire for the Conscientious Believer
The following questions are designed to help you reflect on your spiritual journey and assess whether you have forsaken your “first love”:
How would you describe your relationship with Yeshua when you first came to faith? How does it compare to your relationship with Him now?
Do you find yourself more focused on religious activity and knowledge rather than deepening your personal relationship with Yeshua?
When serving others or engaging in faith activities, do you do so out of love for Yeshua, or has it become more of a routine or duty?
How is your love for others? Do you demonstrate grace, kindness, and compassion to fellow believers, even in disagreements?
Are there any specific areas in your life where you have neglected your personal devotion to Yeshua, such as in your prayer life or time in the Word?
Is there any unrepented sin or distraction that has caused your relationship with Yeshua to cool?
What practical steps can you take today to “remember, repent, and return” to your first love?
Do you reflect on how Yeshua feels when you grow distant? How might remembering His love and desire for fellowship motivate you to draw closer to Him again?
As Yom Kippur approaches, how can reflecting on this message serve as a timely reminder for you to repent and restore intimacy with Yeshua?
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You in humility, acknowledging that we may have forsaken our first love for You. Forgive us for when we have allowed our relationship with Yeshua to become distant, and for when we have prioritised activities and service over intimacy with You. We repent of any ways we have turned from You, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
Help us to remember the joy and passion we once had in our walk with Yeshua. Renew in us a heart of deep love, devotion, and desire for Him above all else. Let everything we do … our works, our service, our relationships … flow from a place of genuine love for You and for others. Teach us to love as You have loved us.
Yeshua, we acknowledge the pain it must cause You when we grow distant, when we let our relationship with You become mechanical. We are sorry for the ways we have grieved You, and we ask for Your forgiveness. Help us to restore the intimacy we once had and to walk in deep fellowship with You.
As we approach Yom Kippur, a time of reflection and repentance, we ask that You help us use this sacred time to examine our hearts. May it serve as a reminder to turn back to You, to renew our love for You, and to walk in the light of Your grace.
We ask for Your guidance in restoring that first love, and for Your Spirit to empower us to live faithfully for You each day.
In Yeshua’s Name we pray, Amen.