Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church

Lay Academy – The Bible in Context

Contrary to popular belief, “Philadelphia” does not exactly mean “city of brotherly love”.  It was founded by Eumenes, king of Pergamum , after his brother Attalus, whose fidelity to his brother had given him the title of “Philadelphos” --  the lover of his brother.   Philadelphia overlooks a fertile plain, and was usually prosperous, but was vulnerable to earthquakes.  After the great earthquake of 17 AD, imperial funds were forthcoming to help with the repairs.  Philadelphia renamed itself “New Caesarea” in honor of the emperor Tiberius.  Much later, in the 4^th century, Philadelphia was known as “New Athens”, in recognition of its cultural achievements.

Philadelphia continued to fear earthquake, and the letter to Philadelphia reflects its longing for stability and security.  The “one who overcomes” will become a pillar in the temple, and live there forever.  This image conflicts with the later statement that the New Jerusalem would have no temple, since it would be occupied by God.

Philadelphia is offered an “open door” to a world controlled by God.  The following letter – to Laodicea -- uses the opposite image, with Jesus standing outside a closed door.

The writer again warns against the “synagogue of Satan” of those “who pretend to be Jews but are not”.  This may reflect some internal division among the Jews, such as between those who supported the temple in Jerusalem and those who preferred the temple at Heliopolis.  Alternatively, the ones who “pretend to be Jews but are not” may be the Gentile Christians who were persuaded into full Jewish practices by the Judaisers of Acts XX..  A similar argument is put forward by Pharisaic believers in Jerusalem in Acts 15:5  New Christians who become circumcised are denounced by Paul in Galatians 5, who says that “if you are circumcised then Christ is of no use to you at all”