Topical Encyclopedia
Laodicea, an ancient city located in the region of Phrygia in Asia Minor, is prominently mentioned in the New Testament. It was one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation and is referenced in the Apostle Paul's epistles. The city was strategically situated on the major trade routes, contributing to its wealth and significance in the Roman province of Asia.
Historical and Geographical ContextLaodicea was founded by the Seleucid king Antiochus II and named after his wife, Laodice. The city was part of a tri-city area, along with Hierapolis and Colossae, and was known for its prosperity, particularly in banking, medicine, and textile industries. The fertile Lycus River Valley contributed to its economic success. However, Laodicea was also prone to earthquakes, one of which, in 60 AD, the city famously rebuilt without financial aid from Rome, highlighting its wealth and self-sufficiency.
Biblical References1.
Revelation 3:14-22: Laodicea is most notably mentioned in the Book of Revelation as one of the seven churches to which Jesus Christ, through the Apostle John, sends messages. The church in Laodicea is criticized for being "lukewarm," neither hot nor cold, which is a metaphor for their spiritual state. The Berean Standard Bible records Jesus' words: "So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth" (
Revelation 3:16). The passage continues with a call to repentance and a promise of fellowship for those who overcome.
2.
Colossians 4:13-16: The Apostle Paul also references Laodicea in his letter to the Colossians. He expresses concern for the believers in Laodicea and instructs that his letter to the Colossians be read to the Laodiceans as well. Paul mentions a letter to the Laodiceans, which has not survived, indicating the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities.
Theological SignificanceThe message to the Laodicean church in Revelation is often interpreted as a warning against complacency and self-reliance in spiritual matters. The city's wealth and self-sufficiency are seen as contributing factors to the church's lukewarm faith. The call to "buy from Me gold refined by fire" (
Revelation 3:18) is understood as an invitation to seek true spiritual riches and righteousness from Christ.
Archaeological InsightsArchaeological excavations in Laodicea have uncovered significant remains, including a theater, a stadium, and an aqueduct system, which highlight the city's affluence and advanced infrastructure. The discovery of inscriptions and artifacts provides further insight into the religious and social life of the city during the Roman period.
Cultural and Religious ContextLaodicea was a center for the worship of various deities, including Zeus and the healing god Asclepius. The presence of a Jewish community is also attested, which may have influenced the early Christian church in the city. The syncretistic religious environment posed challenges for the Christian community, as reflected in the admonitions found in the New Testament.
Laodicea's legacy as a biblical site continues to offer valuable lessons on the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of genuine faith and reliance on Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Laodiceajust people
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Laodicea(justice of the people), a town in the Roman province of Asia situated in the valley of the Maeander, on a small river called the Lycus, with Colossae and Hierapolis a few miles distant to the west. Built, or rather rebuilt, by one of the Seleucid monarchs, and named in honor of his wife, Laodicea became under the Roman government a place of some importance. Its trade was considerable; it lay on the line of a great road; and it was the seat of aconventus . From the third chapter and seventeenth verse of Revelation we should gather it was a place of great wealth. Christianity was introduced into Laodicea, not, however, as it would seem, through the direct agency of St. Paul. We have good reason for believing that when, in writing from Rome to the Christians of Colossae, he sent a greeting to those of Laodicea, he had not personally visited either place. But the preaching of the gospel at Ephesus, (Acts 18:19;Acts 19:41) must inevitably have resulted in the formation of churches in the neighboring cities, especially where Jews were settled; and there were Jews in Laodicea. In subsequent times it became a Christian city of eminence, the see of bishop and a meeting-place of councils. The Mohammedan invaders destroyed it, and it is now a scene of utter desolation, as was prophesied in (Revelation 3:14-22) and the extensive ruins nearDenislu justify all that we read of Laodicea in Greek and Roman writers. Another biblical subject of interest is connected with Laodicea. From (Colossians 4:16) it appears that St. Paul wrote a letter to this place when he wrote the letter to Colossae. Ussher's view is that it was the same as the Epistle to the Ephesians, which was a circular letter sent to Laodicea among other places. The apocryphalEpistola ad Laodicenses is a late and clumsy forgery.
ATS Bible Dictionary
LaodiceaA large and opulent city of Asia Minor, the metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana. It was situated on the river Lycus, not far above its junction with the Meander, and in the vicinity of Colosse and Hierapolis. Its earlier name was Diopolis; but after being enlarged by Antiochus II, it was called Laodicea, from his wife Lodice. About A. D. 65 or 66, this city, together with Hieropolis and Colosse, was destroyed by an earthquake, but was quickly rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius. It is now in ruins, and the place is called Eskihissar, or the old castle. A Christian church was early gathered here. It was addressed by Paul in his letter to Colosse, and in another now lost,Colossians 2:1 4:13-16, though some think the "Epistle to the Ephesians" is the one alluded to. The church at Laodicea was probably visited by Paul, A. D. 63, and is one of the seven which received special messages from Christ after his ascension,Revelation 1:11 3:14-22. We know little of its after-history, except that an important council was held there near the middle of the fourth century, and that some form of Christianity lingered there until the time of the Turks.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The city of this name mentioned in Scripture lay on the confines of Phrygia and Lydia, about 40 miles east of Ephesus (
Revelation 3:14), on the banks of the Lycus. It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards Laodicea, from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II., king of Syria, who rebuilt it. It was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor. At a very early period it became one of the chief seats of Christianity (
Colossians 2:1;
4:15;
Revelation 1:11, etc.). It is now a deserted place, called by the Turks Eski-hissar or "old castle."
Laodicea, Epistle from
(Colossians 4:16), was probably the Epistle to the Ephesians, as designed for general circulation. It would reach the Colossians by way of Laodicea.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LAODICEAla-od-i-se'-a (Laodikia): A city of Asia Minor situated in the Lycos valley in the province of Phrygia, and the home of one of the Seven Churches of Re (1:11). Distinguished from several other cities of that name by the appellation Ad Lycum, it was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 B.C.) of Syria, who named it for his wife Laodike, and who populated it with Syrians and with Jews who were transplanted from Babylonia to the cities of Phrygia and Lydia. Though Laodicea stood on the great highway at the junction of several important routes, it was a place of little consequence until the Roman province of Asia was formed in 190 B.C. It then suddenly became a great and wealthy center of industry, famous specially for the fine black wool of its sheep and for the Phrygian powder for the eyes, which was manufactured there (compareRevelation 3:18). In the vicinity was the temple of Men Karou and a renowned school of medicine. In the year 60 A.D., the city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake, but so wealthy were its citizens that they rejected the proffered aid of Rome, and quickly rebuilt it at their own expense (compareRevelation 3:17). It was a city of great wealth, with extensive banking operations (compareRevelation 3:18). Little is known of the early history of Christianity there; Timothy, Mark and Epaphras (Colossians 1:7) seem to have been the first to introduce it. However, Laodicea was early the chief bishopric of Phrygia, and about 166 A.D. Sagaris, its bishop, was martyred. In 1071 the city was taken by the Seljuks; in 1119 it was recovered to the Christians by John Comnenus, and in the 13th century it fell finally into the hands of the Turks.
The ruins, now called Eski Hissar, or old castle, lie near the modern Gonjelli on the railroad, and they have long served as a quarry to the builders of the neighboring town of Denizli. Among them nothing from before the Roman period has appeared. One of the two Roman theaters is remarkably well preserved, and there may still be seen the stadium, a colonnade, the aqueduct which brought the water across the valley to the city by an inverted siphon of stone pipes, a large necropolis, and the ruins of three early Christian churches.
E. J. Banks
Greek
2993. Laodikeia --Laodicea, a city in Phrygia...Laodicea, a city in Phrygia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Laodikeia
Phonetic Spelling: (lah-od-ik'-i-ah) Short Definition:
Laodicea Definition
...3564. Numpha -- Nympha, a Christian ofLaodicea
... Nympha, a Christian ofLaodicea. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Numpha Phonetic Spelling: (noom-fas') Short Definition: Nymphas Definition...
2857. Kolossai -- Colossae, a city in Phrygia
... Spelling: (kol-os-sah'-ee) Short Definition: Colossae Definition: Colossae, a town
of the Roman province Asia, in the Lycus valley, nearLaodicea and Hierapolis...
2994. Laodikeus -- Laodicean
... Masculine Transliteration: Laodikeus Phonetic Spelling: (lah-od-ik-yooce') Short
Definition: a Laodicean Definition: a Laodicean, an inhabitant ofLaodicea....
2404. Hierapolis -- Hierapolis, a city in Asia
... Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-ap'-ol-is) Short Definition: Hierapolis Definition:
Hierapolis, a city of the Lycus valley in Phrygia, nearLaodicea and Colossae....
Library
Laodicea
...LAODICEA. We reach, in this last Epistle, the lowest point of Judah's
degradation, in that long line of departure from God, from...
Synod ofLaodicea.
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Synod
ofLaodicea. ad343-381. Elenchus. Historical Introduction....
Journey toLaodicea.
... Homily XIII. Chapter I."Journey toLaodicea.... And on the following day we went to
Paltus, and from that to Gabala; and on the next day we reachedLaodicea....
Laodicea. Rev 3:14-20
... Hymn 140Laodicea. Rev 3:14-20. John Newton 8,8,8,8.Laodicea. Rev 3:14-20. Hear
what the Lord, the great Amen,. The true and faithful Witness says!...
Innovations of Eudoxius Censured in a Letter Written by George...
... Book IV. Chapter XIII."Innovations of Eudoxius censured in a Letter written
by George, Bishop ofLaodicea. Deputation from the...
Of the Dissension Caused by Paulinus; of the Innovation by...
... Book V. Chapter III."Of the dissension caused by Paulinus; of the innovation
by Apollinarius ofLaodicea, and of the philosophy of Meletius....
Letter ccliv. To Pelagius, Bishop of the SyrianLaodicea.
... Letter CCLIV. To Pelagius, bishop of the SyrianLaodicea.... [3120] cf. Letter xcii.
p. 177. On Pelagius bishop of the SyrianLaodicea, see Theod., HE iv....
The Canons of the Synod Held in the City ofLaodicea, in Phrygia...
... The Canons of the Synod Held in the City ofLaodicea, in Phrygia Pacatiana, in which
Many Blessed Fathers from Divers Provinces of Asia Were Gathered Together....
Historical Introduction.
... TheLaodicea at which the Synod met isLaodicea in Phrygia Pacatiana, also called
Laodicea ad Lycum, and to be carefully distinguished from theLaodicea in...
Colossians iv. 12, 13
... God. For I bear him witness, that he hath much zeal [901] for you, and
for them inLaodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.". In the...
Thesaurus
Laodicea (6 Occurrences)... It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards
Laodicea, from
Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II., king of Syria, who rebuilt it.
...LAODICEA.
...Nymphas (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Nymph, saluted by Paul in his Epistle to the Colossians
as a member of the church ofLaodicea (Colossians 4:15). Int....
La-odice'a (5 Occurrences)
La-odice'a.Laodicea, La-odice'a. Laodiceans .... Colossians 4:15 Greet the brothers
who are inLaodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house....
Laodiceans (2 Occurrences)
... the epistle fromLaodicea," Colossians 4:16): I. EXPLANATIONS OF PAUL'S STATEMENT
1. Written by the Laodiceans? 2. Written by Paul fromLaodicea?...
Colossae (1 Occurrence)
... It was about 12 miles aboveLaodicea, and near the great road from Ephesus to the
Euphrates, and was consequently of some mercantile importance....
Colossians (1 Occurrence)
... of the apostle (4:7-9). After friendly greetings (10-14), he bids them interchange
this letter with that he had sent to the neighbouring church ofLaodicea....
Tychicus (5 Occurrences)
... the circular letter" (see LAODICEANS, EPISTLE TO THE) to the churches in proconsular
Asia, to which it was sent, giving a copy of it to the church inLaodicea....
Phrygia (4 Occurrences)
... The towns of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14), Colosse, Hierapolis, Iconium, and
Laodicea were situated in it. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PHRYGIA....
Public (99 Occurrences)
... Colossians 4:16 And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same
be done in the church ofLaodicea; and see that you have the letter from...
Paul (207 Occurrences)
... 1:4. But this objection need not apply if the so-called Ephesian Epistle was a circular
letter and if Paul did not visit Colosse andLaodicea during his 3...
Resources
What was Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea in Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened at the Council of Laodicea? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
