What Does Revelation 2:25 Mean in the King James?

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Revelation 2:25 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Endurance here is the active keeping of what is already in your hands through the interval before arrival.

THE MEANING

What you already have remains the thing held through the waiting; the verse places your present possession beside a future arrival. Its focus is continuity: what is yours now stays in view until the one who comes arrives.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that what you hold now is inadequate unless you acquire something more before the arrival.

THE ROOT

κρατήσατε

kratēsate

GROWS FROM

κρατ-

krat-

Strength, power, or mastery expressed as taking hold and retaining.

The verb ⁨κρατέω⁩ (krateō) means to seize, hold firmly, or retain. Its family also carries the sense of strength and might, so “hold fast” describes an active grasp on what is already yours, sustained through the waiting.

ALSO GROWS

krateō: Seize, hold firmly, retain.

κρατέω

This is the verb used here; it gives the keeping the force of an active grip.

kratos: Strength, might, power.

κράτος

This related word reveals the strength carried in the idea of holding fast.

krataios: Strong, mighty.

κραταιός

This related form connects a firm hold with strength that endures.

THE PATTERN

What is already entrusted remains present through waiting as it is actively retained.

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

Proverbs 4:13 · KJVInstruction is pictured as something already within reach, to be held and kept as life.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Hebrews 4:14 · KJVWhat is already held in declaration remains the focus as the verse speaks of holding fast.

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 3:11 · KJVThe same call to retain what is already possessed appears beside the promise of coming.

THE THREAD

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 3:11 · KJV

This verse uses the same Greek verb, ⁨κρατέω⁩ (krateō), for holding fast. It links the present grasp to the promised coming and makes visible what the hold protects: the crown.

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