Revelation 3:19 kjv

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Revelation 3:19 nkjv

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3:19 niv

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3:19 esv

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3:19 nlt

I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 19 Meaning

Revelation 3:19 presents the Lord's stern words to the lukewarm church in Laodicea as an act motivated by deep love. His actions of rebuking and disciplining are not punitive in the sense of vengeful punishment, but rather corrective and instructional, aiming to restore, purify, and lead them to spiritual fervor. This loving discipline serves as a catalyst for genuine spiritual transformation, calling them to earnest repentance and a renewed zealous commitment to Him.

Revelation 3 19 Context

Revelation 3:19 is the culmination of Jesus' message to the church in Laodicea, the seventh and final letter to the churches in Asia Minor. Unlike the other six, the Laodicean church receives no commendation whatsoever; their spiritual condition is described as utterly lukewarm (Rev 3:16). Jesus identifies them as self-deceived, believing they are "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," when in His eyes, they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17). Historically, Laodicea was a wealthy city renowned for its banking, black wool industry, and a famous eye salve (Phrygian powder). This prosperity had led to spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency, rendering them unpalatable to Christ, much like the tepid water delivered via aqueducts from distant hot springs that became lukewarm and uninviting by the time it reached the city. Verse 19 stands as the compassionate yet firm call to action, offering a path to restoration despite their dire state, emphasizing that even the harshest rebuke is an outflow of divine love, aiming for their salvation and fervor rather than condemnation.

Revelation 3 19 Word analysis

• As many as I love (ὅσους ἐὰν φιλῶ - hosous ean philō):

  • ὅσους (hosous): "as many as," emphasizing that this applies to specific individuals or a subset, implying the universal nature of God's love applied individually.
  • ἐὰν φιλῶ (ean philō): "I love" (present active subjunctive). The verb is phileō, indicating affection, fondness, friendship love, and personal regard, as opposed to agapaō, which often denotes a more sacrificial, volitional love. Here, phileō highlights Christ's intimate concern and desire for fellowship with the church members, emphasizing a relationship that naturally entails parental-like discipline. This love is the fundamental motivation for His corrective actions.

• I rebuke (ἐλέγχω - elenchō):

  • Meaning to convict, reprove, expose, or admonish, often bringing faults to light. It's a challenging, confrontational aspect of love that aims to awaken the person to their true spiritual state. It implies a firm correction meant to expose error and sin.

• and chasten (παιδεύω - paideuō):

  • Meaning to train, educate, instruct, or discipline, similar to a parent raising a child. This word encompasses both teaching and corrective action, aiming for the development and maturity of the beloved. It suggests a process of intentional training that may involve hardship but is ultimately for the individual's spiritual growth and betterment. The combined action of "rebuke and chasten" reveals a loving, redemptive intent behind God's judgment.

• be zealous (ζήλευε - zēleue):

  • An imperative from zēleō (zēlos noun form), meaning to burn with strong emotion, to be ardent, eager, or passionately devoted. It implies fervent pursuit and active, vigorous commitment. Here, it is a command for the Laodiceans to shake off their lukewarmness and become passionate for God and righteousness.

• therefore (οὖν - oun):

  • A transitional particle, indicating a logical consequence. Because His rebuke and chastening are signs of love, their proper response is zeal and repentance. It creates a direct link between God's loving discipline and the required human response.

• and repent (μετανόησον - metanoēson):

  • An imperative from metanoeō, meaning to change one's mind, heart, and direction. It signifies a fundamental, transformative turning away from sin and toward God, involving sorrow for past wrongdoing, a commitment to change behavior, and renewed allegiance to Christ. This repentance must be genuine and driven by the zeal sparked by divine discipline.

Revelation 3 19 Bonus section

The intensity of the rebuke given to Laodicea, culminating in Rev 3:19, reveals that lukewarmness is profoundly offensive to Christ, perhaps even more so than outright opposition, as it presents a façade of Christianity without genuine commitment. It implies an indifference that actively nauseates the Lord. The specific commands given in Rev 3:18, to "buy" spiritual gold, white garments, and eye salve from Christ, suggest that salvation and spiritual abundance are indeed gifts, but they require a conscious choice and active participation (symbolized by "buying") in humility and submission to receive them from the true Source, rather than relying on self-generated "riches." This dynamic underscores that God's discipline is not just to correct sin but to stir up the latent potential for a passionate, active relationship with Him. The fact that this strong call to repentance is prefaced by "As many as I love" provides a profound assurance: no matter how dire the spiritual condition, God's underlying motivation is always redemptive love, offering hope and opportunity for transformation to those willing to hear and respond.

Revelation 3 19 Commentary

Revelation 3:19 delivers one of the New Testament's most profound truths regarding God's discipline: it stems from His deep and unwavering love. For the Laodicean church, self-deceived in their affluence and spiritual apathy, Jesus' words are not an abandonment but a stark intervention. His "rebuke" (ἔλεγχος - elenchos) aims to convict them, exposing their true condition of spiritual poverty, blindness, and nakedness that they themselves failed to see. The "chastening" (παιδεύω - paideuō) signifies His training and discipline, a necessary parental action to correct their path, foster growth, and lead them towards spiritual maturity. This divine discipline is a hallmark of true sonship (Heb 12:6-8), differentiating genuine children of God from those outside His family.

The ultimate purpose of this loving yet severe confrontation is clear: "be zealous therefore, and repent." Zeal calls for a burning passion and wholehearted devotion to Christ, directly contrasting their current state of being "lukewarm" (Rev 3:16). This zeal is not an emotional whim but a renewed commitment of purpose. The command to "repent" (μετανοέω - metanoeō) signifies a radical change of mind and direction, a complete U-turn from their self-sufficient spiritual arrogance and a turning back to fervent pursuit of God. This active turning involves practical steps, like buying "gold tried in the fire," "white raiment," and "eyesalve" from Christ Himself (Rev 3:18), signifying true faith, righteousness, and spiritual discernment. This verse thus offers a powerful message: God's severe correction is a gracious invitation to a restored, vital relationship with Him, achievable through fervent commitment and genuine transformation of heart and action.