Revelation 3:16

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

So {G3779} then because {G3754} thou art {G1488} lukewarm {G5513}, and {G2532} neither {G3777} cold {G5593} nor {G3777} hot {G2200}, I will {G3195} spue {G1692} thee {G4571} out of {G1537} my {G3450} mouth {G4750}.

So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth!

So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!

So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16 delivers a stark warning from Jesus Christ to the church in Laodicea, condemning their spiritual indifference. This verse encapsulates the severe consequence of a faith that lacks fervent commitment or clear opposition, presenting a powerful metaphor for spiritual apathy.

Historical and Cultural Context

To understand the imagery of "cold," "hot," and "lukewarm," it's crucial to grasp Laodicea's unique geographical situation. Unlike nearby Hierapolis, known for its therapeutic hot springs, or Colossae, which boasted refreshing cold mountain water, Laodicea had an aqueduct system that delivered water from distant hot springs. By the time it reached the city, this water was neither invigoratingly hot nor refreshingly cold; it was tepid, mineral-laden, and often nauseating. This physical reality serves as a vivid illustration for the spiritual state of the church in Laodicea: they were not spiritually "hot" with zealous devotion, nor "cold" in outright rejection (which, paradoxically, might at least indicate a clear stance). Instead, they were bland, ineffective, and spiritually unpalatable to Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Indifference: The primary theme is the danger of being "lukewarm" – a state of apathy, compromise, and lack of genuine spiritual fervor. This condition is presented as more offensive to Christ than outright coldness because it pretends to be something it is not, lacking the transformative power of true faith.
  • Divine Disgust and Rejection: The phrase "I will spue thee out of my mouth" is a graphic and forceful expression of divine revulsion. It signifies utter rejection and a severance of relationship, highlighting that a half-hearted commitment is unacceptable to God.
  • Call to Radical Commitment: Implicit in the warning is an urgent call for the church to abandon its complacency and embrace either a fervent, active faith ("hot") or a clear, decisive position ("cold"), rather than remaining in a state of unproductive neutrality. This message is part of a broader call for repentance and zeal found later in the same message.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "lukewarm" is chliaros (χλιαρός), meaning tepid or lukewarm. It conveys the sense of something that is neither one thing nor the other, lacking any distinct quality or benefit. The verb "spue" translates the Greek emeso (ἐμέσω), which means "to vomit" or "to spew out." This is a very strong and visceral term, emphasizing the Lord's profound disgust and intolerance for spiritual mediocrity. It's not just a gentle dismissal but a forceful expulsion, indicating how repulsive this state is to Him.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 3:16 serves as a powerful reminder to examine the depth of our faith and commitment. It challenges us to avoid spiritual complacency, where we might go through the motions of Christianity without genuine passion, conviction, or active engagement. This verse urges us to pursue a vibrant, active faith, characterized by love for God and others, a pursuit of righteousness, and zeal for His kingdom. It calls us to be fully devoted, to live with purpose, and to avoid the perils of spiritual apathy that can lead to divine disfavor. It's a call to be truly "hot" for the Lord, actively seeking His will and living out our faith with fervor, as described in Romans 12:11: "not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 2:5

    Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

  • Zechariah 11:9

    Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.

  • Jeremiah 15:1

    ¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

  • Jeremiah 15:4

    And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 14:19

    Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and [there is] no healing for us? we looked for peace, and [there is] no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back