Revelation 3:15 Meaning and Explanation
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Christ confronts Laodicea for being neither cold nor hot, wishing they were one or the other rather than indifferent.
What Does Revelation 3:15 Mean?
Beginning His assessment of Laodicea, the Lord names their condition: lukewarm. The city was known for water that arrived neither refreshingly cold nor usefully hot. Cold water revives; hot water heals; lukewarm water is good for neither.
Indifference grieves the Lord more than open struggle. He would rather find a heart honestly cold, aware of its need, than one settled in tepid self-satisfaction. To be lukewarm is to have lost the edge of devotion while keeping the form of it. Christ's words are a wake-up call to anyone whose faith has grown comfortable and dull. He does not give up on the lukewarm; He confronts them, longing to stir cold embers back to flame. His honesty here is the kindness of a Lord who refuses to leave us in our half-heartedness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 3:15
What does Revelation 3:15 mean?
Christ confronts Laodicea for being neither cold nor hot, wishing they were one or the other rather than indifferent.