neuter of a presumed derivative of (a cake; prob akin to the base of κολλάω); properly, a poultice (as made of or in the form of crackers), i.e. (by analogy) a plaster:-- eyesalve.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term "κολλούριον" (kolloúrion) refers primarily to a medicinal preparation, specifically an "eyesalve" or "poultice." Its etymology is suggested to be related to a "cake" or "cracker," possibly indicating the cylindrical or disc-like shape in which such salves were often prepared or sold, or perhaps the consistency of the material itself. In ancient medicine, poultices and salves were common external applications for various ailments. The specific designation as "eyesalve" points to its targeted use for ophthalmic conditions, aiming to restore or improve vision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word "κολλούριον" (kolloúrion) appears only once in the New Testament, in the book of Revelation:
* **[[Revelation 3:18]]:** "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and eyesalve [[G2854]] to anoint your eyes, so that you may see."
This verse is part of Christ's poignant message to the church in Laodicea. The Laodiceans were characterized by spiritual lukewarmness, self-sufficiency, and a profound lack of awareness regarding their true spiritual poverty. They boasted of their material wealth and self-sufficiency ("I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing," [[Revelation 3:17]]), yet Christ declared them "wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."
The counsel to "buy eyesalve" is particularly pointed given Laodicea's historical reputation. The city was a center of trade and banking, known for its wealth. It also boasted a famous medical school and was renowned for producing a specific eye ointment, often called "Phrygian powder" or "collyrium," which was exported widely. Therefore, Christ's command to "buy eyesalve" from Him directly challenged their reliance on their own physical remedies and their spiritual blindness. The "eyesalve" offered by Christ is not a physical substance but a spiritual remedy, enabling true spiritual vision and discernment, allowing them to see their true condition and God's truth.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Spiritual Blindness and Sight:** The concept of "eyesalve" directly addresses the biblical theme of spiritual blindness (e.g., [[Isaiah 6:10]], [[Matthew 13:13]], [[2 Corinthians 4:4]]) and the necessity of divine intervention for spiritual sight. This parallels Jesus' physical healings of the blind, such as in [[John 9:1-7]], where He applied mud to the blind man's eyes, a form of poultice.
* **Anointing:** The act of anointing with the eyesalve connects to broader biblical practices of anointing for healing, consecration, or imparting spiritual gifts (e.g., [[James 5:14]], [[1 John 2:20]], [[1 John 2:27]]). In this context, it signifies the divine enablement necessary for spiritual perception.
* **Buying and Receiving:** The command to "buy" the eyesalve from Christ implies a transaction, not of monetary exchange, but of repentance, humility, and faith. This resonates with passages like [[Isaiah 55:1]], where spiritual blessings are offered "without money and without price," yet require a receptive heart.
* **"κολλάω" (kolláō) `{{G2853}}`:** The etymological note in the base definition suggests a possible connection to the root of "κολλάω" (kolláō), meaning "to glue, to join, to cleave to." While "κολλούριον" is not a direct derivative, the conceptual link might be in the idea of something applied or adhering, as a poultice adheres to the skin.
### Theological Significance
The "eyesalve" in [[Revelation 3:18]] carries profound theological significance. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual remedy that Christ alone provides to those who are spiritually blind and self-deceived. It underscores several key truths:
1. **Divine Initiative in Spiritual Enlightenment:** True spiritual sight is not achieved through human effort, intellect, or worldly wisdom, but is a gift that originates from Christ. He alone can open the eyes of the heart to perceive divine realities and one's true spiritual state.
2. **Exposure of Self-Deception:** The "eyesalve" functions as an instrument of divine grace that exposes spiritual delusion. For the Laodiceans, it was a call to see their self-proclaimed richness as spiritual poverty and their perceived sight as spiritual blindness.
3. **Call to Repentance and Humility:** The command to "buy" the eyesalve, along with the "gold" and "white garments," implies a need for repentance and a humble turning away from self-sufficiency. It is an invitation to abandon reliance on one's own resources and to embrace Christ's provision.
4. **The Holy Spirit's Illuminating Work:** The application of the "eyesalve" can be understood as symbolizing the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth and enables them to discern spiritual matters (cf. [[1 Corinthians 2:10-16]]).
5. **Christ as the Source of True Riches:** In contrast to Laodicea's material wealth, the "eyesalve" from Christ represents the genuine, eternal riches of spiritual understanding and communion with God.
### Summary
The Greek word "κολλούριον" (kolloúrion), meaning "eyesalve" or "poultice," appears uniquely in [[Revelation 3:18]] within the New Testament. In this pivotal passage, Christ's counsel to the lukewarm and self-deceived church in Laodicea to "buy eyesalve" from Him transcends a mere physical remedy. It is a profound metaphor for the spiritual enlightenment and discernment that only Jesus Christ can bestow. This divine "eyesalve" is essential for dispelling spiritual blindness, enabling believers to see their true condition in God's light, and to perceive the spiritual realities that are otherwise hidden. The word thus encapsulates the urgent call for humility, repentance, and a reliant faith in Christ as the sole source of true spiritual vision and divine wisdom.
TRV