Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

I counsel {G4823} thee {G4671} to buy {G59} of {G3844} me {G1700} gold {G5553} tried {G4448} in {G1537} the fire {G4442}, that {G2443} thou mayest be rich {G4147}; and {G2532} white {G3022} raiment {G2440}, that {G2443} thou mayest be clothed {G4016}, and {G2532} that the shame {G152} of thy {G4675} nakedness {G1132} do {G5319} not {G3361} appear {G5319}; and {G2532} anoint {G1472} thine {G4675} eyes {G3788} with eyesalve {G2854}, that {G2443} thou mayest see {G991}.

My advice to you is to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be dressed and not have to be ashamed of your nakedness; and eyesalve to rub on your eyes, so that you may see.

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

Commentary on Revelation 3:18 (KJV)

Revelation 3:18 is part of Jesus Christ's severe yet loving counsel to the church in Laodicea, the last of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. This verse offers a profound solution to their spiritual self-deception and lukewarmness.

Context

The city of Laodicea was exceptionally wealthy, known for its banking, its thriving textile industry (producing fine black wool), and a renowned medical school famous for its eyesalve. Ironically, despite their material abundance, Jesus describes the Laodicean Christians as "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). Their external prosperity had led to internal spiritual poverty and a dangerous self-sufficiency. In this verse, Jesus offers a direct contrast to their perceived strengths, providing the true spiritual remedies they desperately needed.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Riches vs. Material Wealth: Jesus counsels them to "buy of me gold tried in the fire." This is not literal gold, but true, spiritual wealth – a purified faith and genuine devotion that endures trials, unlike their fleeting earthly riches.
  • Righteousness and Purity: The "white raiment" symbolizes the righteousness of Christ, which covers the shame of their spiritual nakedness (their sin and lack of good works). It emphasizes that true standing before God comes from His provision, not human effort.
  • Spiritual Discernment: The "eyesalve" signifies spiritual insight and understanding. Just as Laodicea was famous for its physical eyesalve, Jesus offers a divine remedy to open their spiritual eyes, enabling them to see their true condition and God's truth.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "gold tried in the fire" (Greek: chrysion pekyromenon ek pyros) directly alludes to the refining process that purifies precious metals. In a spiritual sense, it refers to a faith that has been tested and proven genuine through adversity, leading to an enduring spiritual richness, as discussed in 1 Peter 1:7.
  • "White raiment" (Greek: himatia leuka) is a powerful symbol throughout Revelation, representing purity, victory, and the righteousness of saints who have been cleansed and justified by Christ (Revelation 7:9). It underscores the need for divine covering.
  • The "eyesalve" (Greek: kollourion) was a specific medicinal ointment for the eyes. Jesus' offer of a spiritual eyesalve highlights their profound need for divine revelation to truly "see" their spiritual state and to discern His will, contrasting with their physical blindness.

Practical Application

Revelation 3:18 is a timeless call to humility and genuine faith, urging believers to recognize that true spiritual prosperity comes only from Christ. It challenges us to:

  • Assess True Wealth: Are we relying on our own resources, achievements, or material possessions, or are we seeking the enduring spiritual treasures that come from Christ alone? Our faith and relationship with God are our most valuable assets.
  • Seek Christ's Righteousness: We cannot cover our own spiritual deficiencies. Only by being clothed in Christ's righteousness can we stand blameless before God. This calls for repentance and reliance on His grace.
  • Pray for Spiritual Discernment: In a world filled with distractions and deceptions, we desperately need God to open our eyes to His truth. This "eyesalve" helps us to see ourselves as He sees us, to understand His Word, and to discern His will for our lives, leading to a deeper, more authentic walk with Him.
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 16:15

    Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

  • 1 Peter 1:7

    That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

  • Isaiah 55:1

    ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

  • Revelation 19:8

    And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

  • Malachi 3:3

    And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

  • Revelation 7:13

    ¶ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

  • Matthew 13:44

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

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