Revelation 3:17,Revelation 3:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 3:17-19

Revelation 3:17-19. Because thou sayest, I am rich In gifts and grace, as well as worldly goods; and increased with goods Greek, και πεπλουτηκα , literally, And have enriched myself, by my own wisdom and virtue; and have need of nothing Imagining thy state in religion to be very prosperous and happy; and knowest not Dost not so much as suspect that thy religion is at all defective: that thou art In God’s account; wretched, miserable, &c. In a most deplorable condition,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

Letter to Laodicea (3:14-22)Laodicea was an important commercial, educational and administrative centre whose citizens were secure and prosperous, lacking nothing. Sadly, the spirit of self-satisfaction among the people at large was found equally in the church. This church has no accusation of idolatry or immorality brought against it, yet it receives the strongest condemnation of all seven.The Laodiceans not only thought they had all they needed, but they believed their prosperity had resulted... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 3:17

nothing. Greek. oudeis. knowest. App-132 . wretched = the wretched one. See Romans 7:24 , and compare Hosea 2:11 ; Hosea 5:15 . poor. App-127 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:How strange that God's people in such a place were destitute of spiritual graces. There was plenty of money, but they were poor; there was plenty of the finest clothing on earth, but they were naked; there was healing for many in the medical school, but they were blind. This is a sad commentary upon the way things are today... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 3:17

Revelation 3:17. Because thou sayest, I am rich, &c.— This angel, or his church, is quite the reverse of the angel of Smyrna: ch. Revelation 2:9. Here is a beautiful gradation in the words before us. It is something to be rich, more to be increased with goods, and still more to be in want of nothing; this is preserved with equal beauty in the latter part of the verse: the whole alludes to their spiritual state and spiritual goods. According to the common language of scripture, they only are... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:17

17. Self-sufficiency is the fatal danger of a lukewarm state (see on :-). thou sayest—virtually and mentally, if not in so many words. increased with goods—Greek, "have become enriched," implying self-praise in self-acquired riches. The Lord alludes to :-. The riches on which they prided themselves were spiritual riches; though, doubtless, their spiritual self-sufficiency ("I have need of nothing") was much fostered by their worldly wealth; as, on the other hand, poverty of spirit is fostered... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:14-22

G. The letter to the church in Laodicea 3:14-22Jesus Christ sent this letter to shake the Laodicean Christians out of their self-sufficient complacency and to exhort them to self-sacrifice for higher spiritual goals (cf. Colossians 2:1-2; Colossians 4:16). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 3:15-17

2. Rebuke 3:15-17This church received no commendation, a fact that makes this letter unique compared to the other six.The deeds of the Laodicean Christians manifested their heart attitude. They were neither cold nor hot in their love for God, just lukewarm. Beverages are better either cold or hot. Similarly the Lord would rather that His people be cold or hot in their love for Him, not apathetic. The Laodiceans knew how the Lord felt because their city drinking water came from a spring six... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

The Epistles to the Seven Churches (concluded)1-6. To the Church in Sardis Christ speaks as He who gives the spirit and looks for spiritual life. There is no praise for this Church. Its life is without spiritual reality (Revelation 3:1). Yet, even now, awakening is within its power. But if it continue to sleep, Christ will come in sudden judgment (Revelation 3:2.). A few individuals have remained faithful. To them, and to all such, Christ promises gladness and life, and that He will acknowledge... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:17

(17) I am rich.—The verse means, more literally, Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have grown rich, and in nothing have need, and knowest not that thou art the wretched (such is the emphasis) one, and the pitiable one, and beggarly, and blind, and naked. Thou art “the type, the embodiment of wretchedness.” The words should, I think, be taken as an amplification of the reason for their rejection. Christ was about to reject them for being in that tepid state which, beginning with... read more