I know your deeds;This phrase indicates the omniscience of Christ, who is aware of the actions and spiritual state of the church in Laodicea. In biblical context, deeds often reflect the faith and commitment of believers (
James 2:14-26). The reference to deeds suggests that the church's actions are under divine scrutiny, aligning with the broader biblical theme that God examines the hearts and actions of His people (
1 Samuel 16:7).
you are neither cold nor hot.
The geographical context of Laodicea is significant here. The city was located near Hierapolis, known for its hot springs, and Colossae, known for its cold, refreshing waters. The metaphor of being neither cold nor hot suggests a spiritual lukewarmness, lacking the fervor and zeal expected of believers. This condition is often interpreted as spiritual complacency or indifference, which is condemned throughout Scripture (Matthew 24:12,Romans 12:11).
How I wish you were one or the other!
This expression of desire indicates that a definitive spiritual state, whether cold or hot, is preferable to lukewarmness. Being "hot" could symbolize spiritual fervor and zeal, while "cold" might represent a state of being in need of spiritual awakening. The call for a decisive stance echoes the biblical theme of wholehearted devotion to God (Deuteronomy 6:5,Matthew 22:37). The wish for a clear spiritual condition underscores the importance of commitment and the dangers of spiritual apathy.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker in this passage, addressing the church with authority and divine insight.
2.
The Church in LaodiceaThe specific audience of this message, known for its wealth and self-sufficiency but criticized for spiritual lukewarmness.
3.
John the ApostleThe author of the Book of Revelation, who received this vision while exiled on the island of Patmos.
4.
LaodiceaA city in Asia Minor, known for its wealth, banking, and medical advancements, but lacking a natural water supply, which is metaphorically significant in this passage.
5.
The Vision of RevelationThe broader context in which this message is delivered, a series of visions given to John concerning the end times and the state of the churches.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Temperature CheckEvaluate your spiritual fervor. Are you passionate and committed in your faith, or have you become complacent?
The Danger of LukewarmnessUnderstand that being lukewarm is displeasing to God. It reflects a lack of commitment and can lead to spiritual stagnation.
Call to RepentanceRecognize the need for repentance and renewal. Jesus desires a wholehearted commitment, not half-hearted devotion.
Authentic Faith and WorksEnsure that your deeds reflect your faith. Genuine faith will naturally produce good works and spiritual fruit.
Self-Sufficiency vs. Dependence on GodBeware of relying on material wealth or self-sufficiency. True spiritual wealth comes from dependence on God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 3:15?
2.How can we avoid being "lukewarm" in our faith, as in Revelation 3:15?
3.What does being "neither cold nor hot" signify in our spiritual walk?
4.How does Revelation 3:15 relate to James 1:22 about being doers of the Word?
5.What practical steps can we take to become fervent in spirit?
6.How can church communities encourage members to be spiritually "hot" and committed?
7.What does "lukewarm" mean in Revelation 3:15, and why is it criticized?
8.How does Revelation 3:15 challenge modern Christian practices?
9.What historical context influences the message of Revelation 3:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 3?
11.Are you lukewarm in your faith and actions?
12.What does apatheism mean?
13.Why is the Laodicean church criticized for being lukewarm?
14.What did Jesus mean by condemning lukewarm faith?What Does Revelation 3:15 Mean
I know your deeds“I know your deeds” (Revelation 3:15)
• The risen Christ speaks with perfect knowledge of every action and motive—nothing is hidden (Hebrews 4:13;Jeremiah 17:10).
• His omniscience assures the church in Laodicea (and us) that His assessment is flawless and just (Psalm 139:1–4).
• Good works do not earn salvation, yet they reveal genuine faith (Ephesians 2:10;James 2:17). Christ looks for evidence that the gospel has truly taken root.
You are neither cold nor hot“you are neither cold nor hot” (Revelation 3:15)
• “Hot” pictures vibrant, wholehearted devotion—spiritual fervor that gladly obeys (Romans 12:11).
• “Cold” represents frank opposition or indifference. While tragic, it is at least honest and obvious (John 15:18–19).
• “Laodicean” believers were tepid—professing Christ yet unmoved, compromising, self-satisfied (Revelation 3:17).
• Lukewarmness dulls witness, quenches zeal, and misleads observers who mistake half-hearted faith for the real thing (Matthew 5:13;2 Timothy 3:5).
How I wish you were one or the other!“How I wish you were one or the other!” (Revelation 3:15)
• Christ longs for decisive clarity. Elijah voiced a similar plea: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).
• A clear stance invites conviction and repentance; indecision numbs the conscience (James 1:8).
• He desires believers whose love is unmistakable or unbelievers whose need is undeniable—either condition is preferable to deceptive complacency (Joshua 24:15;John 9:41).
• The warning is loving: lukewarm souls face impending discipline (Revelation 3:16, 19), yet a door of fellowship remains open if they respond (Revelation 3:20).
summaryJesus, who sees every deed, confronts the Laodicean church for its tepid spirituality. He exposes the danger of settling for comfortable, half-hearted faith and calls His people to wholehearted allegiance. A fiery devotion glorifies Him; even outright rejection is clearer than complacency. The passage urges believers today to examine their works, reject lukewarmness, and pursue fervent, obedient fellowship with the Lord who knows and loves them perfectly.
(15, 16)
Neither cold nor hot.--The "heat" here is the glowing, fervent zeal and devotion which is commended and commanded elsewhere (
Romans 12:11). It is not, however, the self-conscious, galvanised earnestness which, in days of senile pietism, passes for zeal. It is an earnestness which does not know itself earnest, being all too absorbed in its work. It is self-forgetful, and so self-sacrificing, rather than ambitious of self-sacrifice. It is, in short, kindled of God, and sustained by
converse with the Divine One (Luke 24:32), and restored by intercourse with Him (seeRevelation 3:20; comp.1John 4:15-20). The "cold" describes the state of those who are as yet untouched by the Gospel of Love. An intermediate state between these is the "lukewarm"; such are neither earnest for God nor utterly indifferent to religion. They are, perhaps, best described as those who take an interest in religion, but whose worship of their idol of good taste, or good form, leads them to regard enthusiasm as ill-bred, and disturbing; and who have never put themselves to any inconvenience, braved any reproach, or abandoned any comfort for Christ's sake, but hoped to keep well with the world, while they flattered themselves that they stood well with God; who were in danger of betraying their Master, Judas-like, with a kiss. With the denunciation of "lukewarmness" here we may compare the exhortation to greater ministerial earnestness addressed to Archippus (Colossians 4:17). . . .
Verse 15. - I know thy works; and because they are not what they should be (vers. 16, 17), I give thee this admonition, which is nevertheless a warning and a token of my love (ver. 19). That thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. The lukewarmness of which the Epistle complains was produced by a fallacious sense of security, begotten of ease and prosperity. In truth those "secure," without care, had become the careless ones. Active opposition may well be a less deadly evil than careless ease. The persecution of a St. Paul may be diverted into the zeal of an apostle; but how can any active good be got from that which is utterly stagnant and without motive power? The man who, by wilful action, increases a disease, may repent of his deed, and try to recover from the danger to which he has exposed himself; but he who lives on in careless ignorance of the existence of the malady can never improve himself until he has awoke to a full knowledge of his own state. Some understand "cold" to mean "untouched by the power of grace," and "lukewarm" to denote those who, having received the grace of God, had not allowed it full scope in bringing forth works meet for repentance (
Matthew 3:8). And just as there was more hope of the real conversion of the "cold" publicans and harlots, who "went into heaven" (
Matthew 21:31) before the self-satisfied, "lukewarm" Pharisees, so there is more hope of an unconverted sinner than of him who, having once been roused to a sense of God's will, has relapsed into a state of self satisfied indolence and carelessness. The sentence is
not a wish that the Laodiceans should become hot or cold; it is a regret that they had not been one or the other. Our Lord is not wishing that any of them may become cold, but regretting that, when he comes to review their conduct and to pronounce judgment, many of them cannot even plead that they "knew not the way of righteousness," but belong to that worse class, "which after they had known it, turned from the holy commandment delivered unto them (
2 Peter 2:21; see also
John 9:41).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
I knowΟἶδά(Oida)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1492:To know, remember, appreciate.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.deeds;ἔργα(erga)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.you areεἶ(ei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.neitherοὔτε(oute)Conjunction
Strong's 3777:And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.coldψυχρὸς(psychros)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5593:Cool, cold; fig: cold-hearted. From psuchos; chilly.norοὔτε(oute)Conjunction
Strong's 3777:And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.hot.ζεστός(zestos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2200:Boiling hot; met: fervent. From zeo; boiled, i.e. calid.[How] I wishὄφελον(ophelon)Interjection
Strong's 3785:First person singular of a past tense of opheilo; I ought, i.e. oh that!you wereἦς(ēs)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.[one]ψυχρὸς(psychros)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5593:Cool, cold; fig: cold-hearted. From psuchos; chilly.orἢ(ē)Conjunction
Strong's 2228:Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.[the other]!ζεστός(zestos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2200:Boiling hot; met: fervent. From zeo; boiled, i.e. calid.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 3:15 I know your works that you (Rev. Re Apocalypse) 
