In the King James Bible, the phrase appears in Revelation 2:4 when Christ addresses the church at Ephesus: “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” (Revelation 2:4, KJV)

What was the “first love”?

The “first love” refers to the fervent devotion, zeal, and affection the believers at Ephesus had for Christ when they first trusted Him. In their early days, they were known for their love of the Lord, their eagerness to spread the gospel, and their warm charity toward one another (see Acts 19, where the Ephesian believers burned their pagan books and spread the word of the Lord mightily).

Over time, though they maintained doctrine, discipline, and discernment (Revelation 2:2–3), their heart devotion had grown cold. They were still “doing” but not “loving” as before. This is why Jesus calls them to remember, repent, and return (Revelation 2:5).

Summary

First love = The early, wholehearted devotion to Christ.
They had right works and doctrine, but had drifted from right heart and affection.
Christ warns that without returning to that love, their candlestick (their testimony and usefulness) would be removed.

Let’s walk through what some faithful conservative voices have said about the “first love” in Revelation 2:4.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714)

Henry explained that the Ephesians were commended for their labor, patience, and discernment against false teachers, but Christ noted they had lost something vital:

Their love to Christ, His truths, and one another had cooled.
They were still orthodox and diligent, but their hearts were not burning as before.
Henry called this a “decay of the first warmth of affection”, warning that even sound doctrine is empty without a heart full of love for the Lord.

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892)

Spurgeon emphasized that:

“First love” means the tender, passionate, early devotion a believer or a church has at conversion.
He compared it to the sparkling love of a newlywed bride—fresh, warm, and unreserved.
The church at Ephesus still had truth, but they had lost their fervency of affection.
Spurgeon warned that religion can become mechanical—right in form but cold in spirit.

He preached: “When love dies, every grace of religion droops in sympathy.”

Adrian Rogers (1931–2005)

Adrian Rogers often preached that:

“First love” means not just loving Christ first, but loving Him most.
The Ephesian church was busy but barren—they had substituted activity for intimacy.
Rogers pointed out that you can be fundamental without being fervent.
He broke it into three commands of Christ:
1. Remember where you fell.
2. Repent of leaving that love.
3. Repeat the first works—prayer, witness, devotion.

He said: “The church had correct theology, but cold hearts. They were like a house without a fire—sound in structure, but icy inside.”

Summary Across Commentators

Matthew Henry: Love cooled, despite soundness.
Spurgeon: Early, passionate love for Christ replaced by cold duty.
Adrian Rogers: Christ must be loved first and most—repent and return.

Revelation 2:4–5 is not just history—it’s a mirror.

How to Know if You’ve Left Your First Love

1. Cooling in Devotion

Once you delighted in prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with Christ.
Now those things feel like duty, or they’re neglected.
Symptom: You know the motions, but the fire is gone.

2. Substituting Work for Worship

Like Ephesus, you may be busy for the Lord—serving, standing against error, holding to truth.
But activity without affection is hollow.
Symptom: Doing for Christ replaces being with Christ.

3. Fading Witness

Early on, you couldn’t help but speak of Jesus.
Now the urgency to tell others has cooled.
Symptom: The gospel isn’t bubbling over from your heart.

4. Loving Other Things More

When other affections (comfort, money, success, even ministry itself) rise above love for Christ, the “first love” has been left.
Symptom: Christ becomes a part of life, not the passion of life.

Christ’s Remedy (Revelation 2:5)

Jesus gave three commands—simple, clear, and still true today:

Remember
- Think back to when you first loved Him—what He saved you from, the joy of salvation, the zeal of your heart.
- Psalm 51:12: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.”
Repent
- Acknowledge before God that your love has cooled.
- Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction.
- James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Repeat (or “do the first works”)
- Go back and do what you did when your love was fresh:
  - Spend time with Christ in prayer.
  - Read His Word with hunger.
  - Witness boldly.
  - Fellowship joyfully with believers.

Personal Application Today

Check your heart: Do you love Christ more than doctrine, service, or even His blessings?
Fan the flame: Rekindle intimacy with Him by putting Him first in daily life.
Guard against drift: Leaving “first love” doesn’t happen overnight—it happens little by little. Be watchful.

? In short: The “first love” is Jesus Himself—our personal, passionate devotion to Him. Everything else (service, doctrine, works) must flow out of that love.