What Does Revelation 3:5 Mean in the King James?

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:5 · 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.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The name kept from erasure is also spoken aloud: belonging is both preserved and publicly acknowledged.

THE MEANING

Your overcoming is met with the promise of a white garment, a name kept in the book of life, and open acknowledgment before the Father and his messengers. The name is not merely a label on a page; it carries the identity that Jesus promises to acknowledge.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the fear that the one who overcomes can be quietly erased or left unacknowledged: the promise holds together a name kept and a name spoken.

THE ROOT

ὄνομα

onoma

GROWS FROM

ὀνομ-

onom-

name, designation, identity

The same name is first kept in the book of life and then acknowledged before witnesses. In this verse, a name carries the person’s identity and nature, not just a label.

ALSO GROWS

onomazō: to name or call

ὀνομάζω

This verb shows the name as an act of identifying someone.

onomastos: named, well known

ὀνομαστός

This form links a name with the identity by which someone is known.

ὁμολογήσω

homologēsō

GROWS FROM

ὁμολογ-

homolog-

acknowledge, agree; literally, say the same

“confess” in this verse is homologēsō. The speaker does more than keep the name on record: he acknowledges it aloud before the Father and the messengers. The word carries the sense of openly affirming who this person is.

ALSO GROWS

homologeō: to acknowledge or confess

ὁμολογέω

This is the verb used for the speaker’s promised acknowledgment.

homologia: acknowledgment or confession

ὁμολογία

The related noun names the act of openly affirming what is true.

ἐξαλείψω

exaleipsō

GROWS FROM

ἀλειφ-

aleiph-

smear or apply; with ⁨ἐξ-⁩ (ex-), wipe away

“blot out” in this verse is exaleipsō. The word for erasing carries the image of wiping a surface clean. The promise negates that erasure, then turns to the opposite movement: the name is spoken aloud and affirmed.

ALSO GROWS

aleiphō: to anoint or rub with oil

ἀλείφω

This related verb keeps the sense of applying something across a surface.

exaleiphō: to wipe away or erase

ἐξαλείφω

This is the verb behind “blot out”; here it describes the erasure the promise refuses.

THE PATTERN

Scripture links belonging with a name preserved, a person publicly acknowledged, and a place among those clothed in white.

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28 · KJVThe image of a name erased from a book makes the promise in Revelation not to blot out the name especially vivid.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Luke 12:8 · KJVThe same verb for confessing connects public acknowledgment on earth with acknowledgment before heavenly witnesses.

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Revelation 3:4 · KJVNames and white garments appear together again, joining recognized identity with the promise of walking in white.

THE THREAD

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Luke 12:8 · KJV

The same Greek verb, ⁨ὁμολογέω⁩ (homologeō), appears in both verses: to acknowledge or confess openly. Luke makes the public dimension clear, the name in Revelation is not only retained but affirmed before heavenly witnesses.

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