Letter to Laodicea: Lukewarmness and the Call to Repent
Revelation 3:14-22
Rev.3.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγγελω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Λαοδικεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εκκλησιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- γραψον·Ταδε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Αμην: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μαρτυς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αληθινος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αρχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κτισεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 1:5 (verbal): Uses the title 'faithful witness' (ὁ μάρτυς ὁ πιστός) of Christ — the same witness-language applied to Jesus in 3:14, linking the Laodicean address to the Christological identity introduced in ch.1.
- Revelation 19:11 (verbal): Describes Christ as 'Faithful and True' (Πιστός καὶ Ἀληθινός) — the exact adjectival pairing in 3:14, reinforcing Christ's reliability and eschatological role.
- Colossians 1:15–18 (thematic): Calls Christ 'the firstborn of all creation' and presents him as supreme over creation — parallels the phrase 'beginning of God's creation' in 3:14 and raises the related Christological theme of Christ's status relative to creation.
- John 1:3; Colossians 1:16 (thematic): Affirms that all things were created through (and for) the Son — these creation-imperatives thematically contrast/read against the ambiguous title 'beginning of the creation of God' in 3:14 (originator/ruler rather than a created being).
Alternative generated candidates
- And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of God's creation.
- Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: 'Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and Origin of God's creation.'
Rev.3.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- οτι: CONJ
- ουτε: CONJ
- ψυχρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ουτε: CONJ
- ζεστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- οφελον: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- ψυχρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ζεστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 3:16 (structural): Immediate continuation of the Laodicean rebuke — explains the consequence of being neither cold nor hot and uses the familiar lukewarm imagery.
- Revelation 2:2 (verbal): Same Johannine formula 'I know your works' used elsewhere in the letters to assess churches' deeds; contrasts commendation for perseverance with the Laodicean rebuke.
- Revelation 2:4 (thematic): Another rebuke of a church (Ephesus) for spiritual failure — both passages critique deficient spiritual vitality and call for repentance.
- James 1:8 (thematic): James's warning about the 'double-minded' (unstable) parallels the moral and spiritual indecisiveness condemned as 'neither cold nor hot' in Revelation 3:15.
- Romans 12:11 (thematic): Paul's exhortation to be 'fervent in spirit' stands as a theological contrast to the lukewarm complacency condemned in the Laodicean address.
Alternative generated candidates
- I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
- I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot.
Rev.3.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- χλιαρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουτε: CONJ
- ζεστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- ψυχρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μελλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- εμεσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Revelation 3:15 (structural): Immediate context: the same address to Laodicea contrasts 'hot' and 'cold' with 'lukewarm'—verse 15 frames the choice that verse 16 condemns.
- James 1:8 (thematic): Speaks of the 'double-minded' person who is unstable in all ways; parallels the moral/spiritual instability implied by being neither 'hot' (zealous) nor 'cold' (decided).
- Amos 5:21-24 (thematic): God rejects outward worship when it is empty and unjust; analogous to Christ's disgust with Laodicea's nominal, complacent faith that elicits divine rejection.
- Matthew 7:21-23 (thematic): Jesus pronounces judgment on those whose profession does not match true obedience ('I never knew you'); echoes Revelation's warning that mere nominal affiliation (lukewarmness) brings rejection.
- Isaiah 1:13-15 (thematic): God expresses disgust at ritual activity divorced from righteousness ('I cannot endure your solemn assemblies'); thematically parallels the image of being 'spit out' for unacceptable worship/life.
Alternative generated candidates
- So, because you are lukewarm—neither cold nor hot—I will spit you out of my mouth.
- So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I will spew you out of my mouth.
Rev.3.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- λεγεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- Πλουσιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- πεπλουτηκα: VERB,perf,mid,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- χρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδας: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ταλαιπωρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ελεεινος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πτωχος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τυφλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- γυμνος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 12:16-21 (thematic): Parable of the rich fool: self-sufficient confidence in wealth and future contrasted with true spiritual poverty—same theme of false security despite real need.
- Luke 6:24 (thematic): Jesus' 'woe to you who are rich' pronouncement condemns complacent wealth and anticipates judgment, echoing Laodicea's self-satisfaction.
- Amos 6:1-6 (thematic): Prophetic rebuke of those 'at ease' in Zion who live in luxury and feel secure—parallels the Laodicean complacency and moral/ spiritual poverty.
- 1 Corinthians 4:8 (verbal): Paul's ironic charge 'already you have become rich' and 'have it made' echoes the language of claiming wealth and sufficiency used in Revelation 3:17.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (thematic): Paul's warning to the rich not to be arrogant or put hope in wealth but in God contrasts with Laodicea's trust in material sufficiency.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you say, 'I am rich; I have prospered and need nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
- For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Rev.3.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συμβουλευω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- αγορασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- παρ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- χρυσιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- πεπυρωμενον: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- πυρος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- ινα: CONJ
- πλουτησης: VERB,aor,act,sub,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ιματια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- λευκα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ινα: CONJ
- περιβαλη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- φανερωθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αισχυνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γυμνοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- κολλουριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εγχρισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- οφθαλμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ινα: CONJ
- βλεπης: VERB,pres,act,sub,2,sg
Parallels
- Malachi 3:2-3 (verbal): Uses the image of the Lord as a refiner who sits and purifies with fire—direct verbal parallel to “gold refined by fire” as divine purification.
- Zechariah 13:9 (allusion): Speaks of being brought through the fire and refined like silver; echoes the refining/testing motif and communal purification language.
- Isaiah 61:10 (thematic): Celebrates being clothed in garments of salvation and righteousness; parallels Revelation’s call to acquire white garments to cover nakedness.
- Zechariah 3:3-4 (structural): The high priest/Joshua’s filthy garments removed and replaced with clean clothes—structural parallel to covering shame with white garments.
- Isaiah 35:5 (thematic): Promises opened eyes and restored sight; thematically linked to the exhortation to anoint the eyes so one may see (spiritual sight/restoration).
Alternative generated candidates
- I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments to clothe you and hide the shame of your nakedness; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
- I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white garments to clothe you and cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Rev.3.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- οσους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εαν: CONJ
- φιλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ελεγχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- παιδευω·ζηλευε: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- μετανοησον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): The proverb 'whom the LORD loves he reproves/chastens' is the direct Old Testament source echoed by Rev 3:19's link between divine love and discipline.
- Hebrews 12:5-6 (quotation): Hebrews explicitly cites the same proverb—'whom the Lord loves he disciplines'—using it to interpret suffering as loving correction, paralleling Revelation's intent.
- Proverbs 13:24 (thematic): Parental discipline as an expression of love ('whoever spares the rod hates his son') shares the same moral logic that love sometimes requires corrective chastening.
- Revelation 2:5 (verbal): Both letters to the churches issue the command 'repent' in the context of divine warning and corrective love—here urging renewed zeal and return to right practice.
- Revelation 3:3 (structural): Immediate context within the Laodicean letter: Jesus calls for remembrance, watchfulness and repentance—3:19 functions as the culmination of this corrective admonition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those whom I love I reprove and discipline. Be zealous, therefore, and repent.
- Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Rev.3.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδου: PART
- εστηκα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- θυραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- κρουω·εαν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg+PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ακουση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- φωνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ανοιξη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- θυραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εισελευσομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δειπνησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- John 10:7-9 (verbal): Uses the door imagery: Jesus as the door/gate through which one enters—parallels Rev 3:20's motif of standing at a door and the salvific, invitational connotation of entry.
- John 14:23 (thematic): Speaks of mutual indwelling—'we will come to him and make our home with him'—echoing Rev 3:20's promise of Christ entering and dining with the believer (intimate fellowship).
- Matthew 7:7-8 (thematic): The knock/seek/ask motif: knocking prompts a response. Rev 3:20's 'I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears...' resonates with this exhortation to respond to a knock.
- Song of Solomon 5:2-5 (allusion): Features a beloved knocking at a door and the dynamics of opening/withdrawing—literary parallel to the image of knocking, opening, and the consequences of response or refusal in Rev 3:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
- Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with them, and they with me.
Rev.3.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νικων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- καθισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θρονω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ως: ADV
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ενικησα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- εκαθισα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- μετα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θρονω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 2:26-27 (verbal): Same promise to 'him who overcomes' about sharing authority/rule—continuation of the reward language given to overcomers in the letters to the seven churches.
- Revelation 3:5 (thematic): Another reward promised to the overcomer (white garments; confession before the Father)—shares the motif of final vindication and public identification with Christ.
- Ephesians 2:6 (thematic): Believers are said to be 'seated with Christ in the heavenly places'—parallels the promise that overcomers will sit with Christ on his throne.
- Hebrews 10:12 (allusion): After accomplishing salvation Christ 'sat down at the right hand of God'—echoed by Christ's claim that he 'also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.'
- Psalm 110:1 (allusion): The enthronement motif ('Sit at my right hand') provides the Old Testament background for NT language of Christ's exaltation and sharing of throne with the Father.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the one who conquers I will grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
- To the one who conquers I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Rev.3.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ακουσατω: VERB,aor,act,imp,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- εκκλησιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Rev.2.7 (verbal): Identical concluding formula at the end of the first of the seven letters: 'He who has an ear, let him hear'—part of the repeated epistolary refrain addressed to the churches.
- Rev.2.11 (verbal): Same verbal refrain closing the Smyrna letter; demonstrates the recurring rhetorical tag that frames each of the seven messages.
- Rev.2.17 (verbal): The Pergamum letter ends with the same short admonition—verbal repetition that ties the seven church messages together.
- Rev.3.6 (verbal): Sardis letter closes with the identical phrase, showing the consistent final injunction in the series of letters.
- Matt.11.15 (allusion): Jesus’ saying 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' (also in Matt.13:9, Mark 4:9) provides the proverbial source; Revelation echoes this Gospel admonition, applying it as the Spirit’s call to the churches.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let anyone who has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of God's creation.
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I will spit you out of my mouth.
For you say, 'I am rich, I have become wealthy and have need of nothing,' and you do not know that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich; and white garments to clothe yourself and to cover your shameful nakedness; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Those whom I love I reprove and discipline. Be zealous, therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
To the one who conquers I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.