Revelation / Question
In the message to Ephesus, Jesus states he has this against them: they left their first love Revelation 2:4. The next verse links this to remembering, repenting, and doing the works they did at first Revelation 2:5.
In Revelation 2:4–7 Jesus rebukes the Ephesus church for leaving its “first love,” even though it has maintained certain right actions. He calls them to remember the drop from where they once were, to change course, and to return to their earlier deeds. If they refuse, their “lampstand” will be removed. These verses sit inside the first of seven messages to assemblies in Asia Minor (Revelation 2:1–7).
Revelation 2:4–7 presents a clear contrast: Ephesus is commended for certain “works,” yet rebuked for having “left” its “first love.” The problem is not described as inactivity but as a relational and moral decline from an earlier state (verse 4–5).
A common mistake is to turn the wording into a slogan. The better reading keeps the phrase tied to the passage, the speaker, and the problem the book is addressing.
Start with Revelation 2:4, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
4But I have this against you, that you left your first love.