Revelation 3:16 kjv

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16 nkjv

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Revelation 3:16 niv

So, because you are lukewarm?neither hot nor cold?I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16 esv

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16 nlt

But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 16 Meaning

Revelation 3:16 powerfully declares Jesus Christ's profound repugnance towards spiritual indifference within the church of Laodicea. Their state, being "lukewarm," signified a complete lack of zealous devotion ("hot") or refreshing, discerning clarity ("cold"). This middle, nauseating state implied an absence of genuine commitment, purpose, or spiritual utility, rendering their faith utterly distasteful and deserving of complete expulsion from Christ's intimate fellowship and divine favor.

Revelation 3 16 Context

The verse is part of Jesus Christ's letter to the church in Laodicea, one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation chapters 2-3. These letters evaluate the spiritual condition of each church, offering commendation, rebuke, counsel, and a promise to "him who overcomes." The letter to Laodicea stands out for its lack of commendation; it contains only severe rebuke, highlighting their unique and dire spiritual state.

Historically, Laodicea was a highly prosperous city, known for its financial institutions, the production of famous black wool, and a renowned medical school specializing in eye-salve. This immense wealth contributed to the city's (and, consequently, the church's) self-sufficiency and complacency. Their physical water supply arrived via aqueducts, typically becoming lukewarm and heavily mineralized—and thus nauseating—by the time it reached the city. This specific geographical and cultural detail provides the direct basis for the "hot," "cold," and "lukewarm" metaphor, symbolizing that which is useful for medicinal healing (hot springs from Hierapolis) or refreshing hydration (cold springs from Colossae), contrasted with that which serves no practical purpose and induces disgust. The church’s self-deception in spiritual matters mirrored their material comfort, a subtle polemic against placing trust in temporal riches rather than divine provision and spiritual healing.

Revelation 3 16 Word analysis

• So: (οὕτως, houtōs) - A consequential term, indicating that what follows is the direct result or outcome of the preceding state (their being "neither hot nor cold"). It means "thus" or "therefore," establishing cause and effect.
• because: (ὅτι, hoti) - A conjunction signifying "for the reason that," explaining the motivation for Christ's imminent action.
• you are: (εἶ, ei) - Second person singular of "to be," directly addressing the Laodicean church and affirming their current spiritual reality.
• lukewarm: (χλιαρός, chliaros) - Describes a temperature between hot and cold; specifically, tepid or nauseatingly warm. Spiritually, it signifies apathy, indifference, complacency, and a lack of fervent commitment. This state is offensive because it renders them useless for God's purposes—neither having fervent, useful faith ("hot") nor a refreshing clarity that might invite repentance ("cold").
• and neither: (οὔτε, oute) - A conjunctive adverb used for negation, highlighting the absence of both qualities.
• hot: (ζεστός, zestos) - Literally "boiling," "fervent." Spiritually, this denotes intense zeal, passionate commitment, spiritual vibrancy, and effective service for God, akin to medicinal hot springs.
• nor: (οὔτε, oute) - Continues the negation, emphasizing the dual deficiency.
• cold: (ψυχρός, psychros) - Literally "chilly" or "frigid." In the context of the Laodicean water supply, "cold" implies refreshment or purity. Spiritually, this could represent someone distinctly aware of their spiritual need, open to conviction, or even an unbeliever whose clear stance allows for a focused engagement with the Gospel. It is deemed preferable to "lukewarm" because it has potential utility.
• I will spit: (μέλλω ἐμέσαι, mellō emesai) - The verb (ἐμέω, emeō) means to vomit or expel with extreme disgust. The phrase "I am about to vomit/spit" conveys a visceral, immediate, and irrevocable act of rejection due to revulsion.
• you out of my mouth: (ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου, ek tou stomatos mou) - Signifies complete and utter expulsion. "My mouth" symbolizes the source of His divine Word, His breath of life, and intimate communication or fellowship. To be expelled from it means a total severance from His favor, presence, and spiritual communion, like something physically unpalatable that cannot be retained.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold": This phrase pinpoints Laodicea's fundamental spiritual flaw: a nauseating mediocrity. It highlights that their condition is not just a lack of passion but an offensive indifference, providing no beneficial utility. They neither ardently serve Christ nor openly oppose Him, leaving them without distinct spiritual purpose and repulsive to a holy God who desires wholehearted devotion.
• "I will spit you out of my mouth": This potent declaration uses a vivid, guttural image to convey Christ's intense disgust and total rejection. It’s an irreversible act of expulsion. "Out of My mouth" signifies a complete disavowal from fellowship, communication, and divine endorsement, mirroring the literal discomfort one feels when swallowing something unpleasant.

Revelation 3 16 Bonus section

• Idolatry of Prosperity: The core of Laodicean lukewarmness was tied to their wealth. Their affluence fostered an illusion of self-sufficiency, becoming a subtle form of idolatry that displaced dependence on God. This demonstrates the spiritual dangers inherent in material prosperity if not guarded against with humility and stewardship.
• Crisis of Identity: The Laodiceans identified as Christians, yet their spiritual state contradicted their confession. This highlights a crisis of true identity—having a name but lacking the corresponding reality, being spiritually dead while appearing alive (as similarly noted to Sardis, Rev 3:1).
• Call for Purity and Honesty: While being "hot" is the ideal (passionate, useful faith), being "cold" (openly secular, aware of spiritual need, or even actively against Christ) is surprisingly presented as preferable to lukewarmness. This suggests that honesty about one's spiritual state, whether for Christ or against Him, is less offensive to God than hypocritical indifference. An honest "coldness" is clear-cut and can be effectively addressed with the Gospel; a complacent "lukewarmness" obscures the need for true salvation and repentance.

Revelation 3 16 Commentary

Revelation 3:16 serves as Christ's scathing indictment of spiritual indifference. Drawing upon the Laodicean context of nauseatingly lukewarm water, Jesus metaphorically equates this temperature to their faith—utterly useless and repulsive to Him. The Laodicean church, despite its material prosperity, was spiritually impoverished, suffering from a profound self-deception (Rev 3:17). Their lukewarmness stemmed from spiritual apathy, believing themselves self-sufficient and in need of nothing from God. Unlike "hot" faith which signifies fervent devotion, zeal, and active service for God's kingdom, or "cold" faith which could represent a state of being fully aware of spiritual lack, thus potentially receptive to the refreshing Gospel, the lukewarm individual possesses a deceptive, complacent Christianity. This nominal faith offers no spiritual utility, neither invigorating nor refreshing. Christ's promise to "spit you out of My mouth" is an intense, visceral expression of His revulsion and complete rejection. It implies expulsion from His presence, fellowship, and divine favor, signifying a judgment against those who have a form of godliness but deny its power through their indifferent lives (2 Tim 3:5). God demands wholehearted love and genuine commitment, making lukewarmness a direct affront to His nature and His desire for intimate communion and transformative obedience from His followers.