### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
* **Lemma:** ἐμέω (emeō)
* **Basic Definition:** To vomit, to spew forth.
* **Semantic Range:** The primary and almost exclusive meaning of ἐμέω is the physical act of expelling contents from the stomach through the mouth. It denotes a forceful, involuntary, and often unpleasant ejection. While its etymological affinity is noted as "uncertain," its meaning is remarkably consistent and unambiguous across ancient Greek literature. It carries no inherent metaphorical meaning in its base form but is employed in the New Testament with profound metaphorical implications of rejection and repulsion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Greek verb ἐμέω (emeō) appears only once in the New Testament, in a highly significant prophetic context:
* **Revelation 3:16**: "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to *spit you out* of my mouth." [[Revelation 3:16]]
* **Context:** This verse is part of the letter dictated by the Lord Jesus Christ to the church in Laodicea. The Lord uses the vivid and visceral imagery of vomiting to describe His utter revulsion at their spiritual apathy and indifference. Their state of being "lukewarm" (οὐχ ψυχρὸς οὐδὲ ζεστὸς) is presented as more distasteful to Him than being either "cold" (ψυχρὸς) or "hot" (ζεστὸς). The act of "spitting out" (ἐμέω) graphically illustrates a forceful and complete rejection, an expulsion born of disgust. It is not merely a turning away, but an active, visceral expulsion, indicating that their spiritual condition is nauseating to the divine standard. The future tense ("I am about to spue you out") emphasizes the certainty and imminence of this divine judgment if their condition persists.
### Related Words & Concepts
While ἐμέω itself has limited occurrences, its conceptual force of rejection and expulsion connects to broader biblical themes:
* **Spiritual Nausea/Repulsion:** The concept of God being "sickened" or "repulsed" by human behavior is found elsewhere in Scripture. For example, in the Old Testament, the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to their abominations (e.g., [[Leviticus 18:25]], [[Leviticus 18:28]], [[Leviticus 20:22]]) uses the Hebrew verb קִיא (qî') `{{H6958}}`, which also means "to vomit." This parallelism underscores a consistent divine principle: persistent sin and spiritual apathy are abhorrent to God and lead to expulsion from His presence or blessings.
* **Divine Judgment/Rejection:** The act of vomiting signifies a decisive and final rejection. This relates to other terms for divine judgment, such as "cutting off" (e.g., [[Genesis 17:14]]), "casting out" (e.g., [[Matthew 8:12]]), or "removing a lampstand" (e.g., [[Revelation 2:5]]). The intensity of ἐμέω in [[Revelation 3:16]] suggests a particularly severe form of judgment for spiritual indifference.
* **Lukewarmness (G2209):** The immediate context of ἐμέω is the state of being "lukewarm" (χλιαρός, *chliaros*) `{{G2209}}`. This spiritual condition, characterized by a lack of fervent commitment or outright opposition, is uniquely offensive to Christ. It implies a superficial religiosity that lacks genuine devotion or transformative power, being neither refreshing nor purifying.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of ἐμέω in [[Revelation 3:16]] carries profound theological weight:
* **The Holiness and Purity of Christ:** The imagery reveals the absolute purity and uncompromising nature of Christ. He cannot tolerate spiritual ambivalence or a half-hearted commitment. His disgust with lukewarmness underscores His demand for genuine, fervent devotion (either "hot" with zeal or "cold" in recognition of need, but not indifferent). This reflects His divine character which is antithetical to spiritual compromise.
* **The Gravity of Spiritual Indifference:** The use of "vomit" highlights that spiritual apathy is not merely a minor flaw but a deeply offensive state to God. It is presented as worse than outright opposition, as it embodies a façade of religion without the substance of true faith and obedience. It implies a self-sufficiency that neither seeks God's refreshing presence nor acknowledges its desperate need for Him, thus denying the transformative power of the Gospel.
* **Divine Consequence of Apathy:** The threat to "spit out" is a severe warning of spiritual disenfranchisement and loss of divine favor. For a church, this could mean the removal of its testimony, its spiritual effectiveness, or even its very existence as a recognized body within Christ's kingdom. It is a stark reminder that salvation is not merely an intellectual assent but a call to active, passionate discipleship.
* **Call to Repentance:** Implicit in the threat is a divine call to repentance. The Lord's words are not merely condemnation but a warning intended to provoke a change in condition. The severity of the imagery is meant to shock the Laodiceans (and by extension, any lukewarm believer or church) into recognizing their perilous state and seeking to regain their spiritual fervor and genuine devotion to Christ.
### Summary
The Greek verb ἐμέω (emeō), meaning "to vomit" or "to spew," appears only once in the New Testament in [[Revelation 3:16]]. In this potent passage, Christ declares His intention to "spit out" the church of Laodicea because of its spiritual lukewarmness—a state more repulsive to Him than being either hot or cold. This vivid imagery underscores the Lord's absolute purity and His utter intolerance for spiritual apathy and indifference. The act of vomiting signifies a forceful, decisive, and disgusted rejection, paralleling Old Testament concepts of the land "vomiting out" its inhabitants due to their abominations (e.g., [[Leviticus 18:25]] `{{H6958}}`). Theologically, ἐμέω highlights the severe consequences of spiritual ambivalence, demanding fervent commitment and genuine devotion from believers, and serving as a stark warning to repent from any form of half-hearted faith.
TRV