Revelation 3:15-20 NKJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing . The Epistle is still addressed indirectly to the Laodicean Church, directly to the angel. No doubt spiritual riches are immediately referred to; but spiritual pride and lukewarmness are frequently produced by worldly prosperity, such as that which Archippus (if he be the angel addressed; see on Revelation 3:14 ) and the Church over which he presided enjoyed. It is not enough for the wealthy Christian to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; gold refined by the fire (Revised Version). It is doubtful whether Revelation 3:17 should be connected with Revelation 3:18 or with Revelation 3:16 —whether the self-satisfied condition of the Church is given as the reason why "I will spue thee out of my mouth," or as the reason why "I counsel thee to buy of me." The Revised Version follows the Authorized Version in connecting yore. 17 and 18; and this view... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent . As many as. Not one whom God loves escapes chastening; if he be not chastened, he is not a son ( Hebrews 12:8 ), for "all have sinned, and come short." " I love " is φιλῶ , I love dearly; not merely ἀγαπῶ . I rebuke ( ἐλέγχω ), to reprove, so as to convict of sin and turn to repentance; the work of the Holy Ghost, who should "convict the world of sin" ( John 16:8 ). This verse is a solace and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock ; behold, I have stood ( ἕστηκα ) at the door, and am knocking ( κρούω ) . "These gracious words declare the long-suffering of Christ, as he waits for the conversion of sinners ( 1 Peter 3:20 ); and not alone the long-suffering which waits, but the love which seeks to bring that conversion about, which ' knocks .' He at whose door we ought to stand, for he is the Door ( John 10:7 ), who, as such, has bidden us to knock ( Matthew... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:20

The Saviour, the soul, and salvation. "Behold, I stand at the door," etc. These words, so welt known and much loved, however their primary intention may have had regard to a sinful community like the Church at Laodicea, nevertheless lend themselves so aptly to the setting forth of Christ's dealing with individual sinful souls, and have been so often used in this way, that once more we employ them for the like purpose. They supply three vivid pictures. I. OF OUR SAVIOR "Behold, I... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:15

I know thy works - notes on Revelation 2:2.That thou art neither cold nor hot - The word “cold” here would seem to denote the state where there was no pretension to religion; where everything was utterly lifeless and dead. The language is obviously figurative, but it is such as is often employed, when we speak of one as being cold toward another, as having a cold or icy heart, etc. The word “hot” would denote, of course, the opposite - warm and zealous in their love and service. The very words... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:16

So then because thou art lukewarm ... I will spue thee out of my mouth - Referring, perhaps, to the well-known fact that tepid water tends to produce sickness at the stomach, and an inclination to vomit. The image is intensely strong, and denotes deep disgust and loathing at the indifference which prevailed in the church at Laodicea. The idea is, that they would be utterly rejected and cast off as a church - a threatening of which there has been an abundant fulfillment in subsequent times. It... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:17

Because thou sayest, I am rich - So far as the language here is concerned, this may refer either to riches literally, or to spiritual riches; that is, to a boast of having religion enough. Prof. Stuart supposes that it refers to the former, and so do Wetstein, Vitringa, and others. Doddridge, Rosenmuller, and others, understand it in the latter sense. There is no doubt that there was much wealth in Laodicea, and that, as a people, they prided themselves on their riches. See the authorities in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire - Pure gold; such as has been subjected to the action of heat to purify it from dross. See the notes on 1 Peter 1:7. Gold here is emblematic of religion - as being the most precious of the metals, and the most valued by human beings. They professed to be rich, but were not; and he counsels them to obtain from him what would make them truly rich.That thou mayest be rich - In the true and proper sense of the word. With true religion; with the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten - Of course, only on the supposition that they deserve it. The meaning is, that it is a proof of love on his part, if his professed friends go astray, to recall them by admonitions and by trials. So a father calls back his children who are disobedient; and there is no higher proof of his love than when, with great pain to himself, he administers such chastisement as shall save his child. See the sentiment here expressed fully explained in the notes on... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 3:19

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