The pronoun σου in the letters to the Seven Churches.
Posted: December 14th, 2025, 10:23 am
In 5 of the Seven Letters, Jesus starts by saying, "I know your works..." using four words, οἶδά τὰ ἔργα σου
The first time to Ephesus the order is οἶδά τὰ ἔργα σου. Then in Thyatira and continuing with Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, it is οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα.
I'm wondering what the different placement of the pronoun is intended to do.
Since Paul was prominent in Ephesus does Jesus intend to make a distinction between what is happening in Ephesus which is not what Paul taught? Or is there an implication of Spirit led work? That is, churches are doing things on their own without the guidance of the Spirit? Another thought I had was the meaning of ἔργα should be different. Rather than each being works, one is works and the other is activities.
The first time to Ephesus the order is οἶδά τὰ ἔργα σου. Then in Thyatira and continuing with Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, it is οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα.
I'm wondering what the different placement of the pronoun is intended to do.
Since Paul was prominent in Ephesus does Jesus intend to make a distinction between what is happening in Ephesus which is not what Paul taught? Or is there an implication of Spirit led work? That is, churches are doing things on their own without the guidance of the Spirit? Another thought I had was the meaning of ἔργα should be different. Rather than each being works, one is works and the other is activities.