Revelation 3:15

Revelation 3:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
• New International Version (NIV)I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
• English Standard Version (ESV)"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
• New Living Translation (NLT)“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!

Context of Revelation 3:15

13“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ 14“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

Revelation 3:15 word by word

οἶδά σου τὰ ἔργα ὅτι οὔτε ψυχρὸς εἶ οὔτε ζεστός. ὄφελον ψυχρὸς ἦς ἢ ζεστός·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• I knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• thyσύsu · youG4771
• worksὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• thou artεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• neitherοὔτεoute · neitherG3777
• coldψυχρόςpsuchros · coldG5593
• hotζεστόςzestos · hotG2200
• I wouldὄφελονophelon · I wish!G3785
• orἤē · orG2228

Cross-references for Revelation 3:15

• Revelation 3:1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
• Revelation 2:2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
• Revelation 2:4Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
• Matthew 24:12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
• Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
• 2 Thessalonians 1:3We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
• 1 Peter 1:22Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
• Deuteronomy 5:29Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
• Psalms 81:11“But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me.
• 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
• Joshua 24:15And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
• 1 Kings 18:21And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
• Proverbs 23:26My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.
• Hosea 7:8“Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned.
• Hosea 10:2Their heart is divided; Now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars.
• Zephaniah 1:5Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops; Those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord, But who also swear by Milcom;

Commentaries on Revelation 3:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Thou art neither cold nor hot - Ye are neither heathens nor Christians - neither good nor evil - neither led away by false doctrine, nor thoroughly addicted to that which is true. In a word, they were listless and indifferent, and seemed to care little whether heathenism or Christianity prevailed. Though they felt little zeal either for the salvation of their own souls or that of others, yet they had such a general conviction of the truth and importance…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15I 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-22Verses 14-22 Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia. Here our Lord Jesus styles himself, "The Amen;" one steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. If religion is worth anything, it is worth every thing. Christ expects men should be in earnest. How many professors of gospel doctrine are neither hot nor cold; except as they are indifferent in needful matters, and hot and fiery in disputes about things of lesser moment!…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-16neither cold nor hot: The hot springs in Hierapolis were famous for their healing qualities. Colossae was equally famous for its cold, refreshing springs. In contrast, the water in Laodicea was smelly and lukewarm. Such water is unpleasant. Jesus was saying that the church's indecisive commitment to him was revolting.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. neither cold--The antithesis to "hot," literally, "boiling" ("fervent," Ac 18:25; Ro 12:11; compare So 8:6; Lu 24:32), requires that "cold" should here mean more than negatively cold; it is rather, positively icy cold: having never yet been warmed. The Laodiceans were in spiritual things cold comparatively, but not cold as the world outside, and as those who had never belonged to the Church. The lukewarm state, if it be the transitional stage to a…Read the comment

Topics related to Revelation 3:15

• Backsliders
• Church
• Instability
• Laodicea
• Lukewarmness

In the dictionaries

• Angel
• Chasten
• Cold
• Counsel
• Dead
• Lukewarm
• Naked
• Poor
• Rich
• Apocrypha

Commentaries on Revelation 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings