Hierapolis

In the Bible

Hierapolis appears only once in the Bible, in Colossians 4:13. In the closing greetings of his letter, Paul commends his fellow worker Epaphras, a native of Colossae, writing, "For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis." This verse indicates that a Christian community existed in Hierapolis when Paul wrote the letter and that it was considered together with the churches of Colossae and Laodicea as part of the same region.

Background

The name comes from the Greek Hierapolis, meaning "holy city." Hierapolis lay in the valley of the Lycus River, near Laodicea and Colossae. It is thought to have been founded in the Hellenistic period, though sources differ on who founded it. The city was famous for its hot springs. White, terrace-like formations created as the mineral-rich spring water hardened still remain, which is why the site is known today as Pamukkale (Turkish for "cotton castle"). In the Roman period it was a resort and religious center that drew visitors to its springs and temples. A major earthquake is reported to have struck the region around AD 60, during the reign of Nero, damaging Hierapolis along with Laodicea.

Broader Biblical Significance

Colossians 2:1 indicates that Paul had not personally met the believers of this region. On the basis of Colossians 1:7 and 4:12–13, scholars therefore suggest that the churches of the Lycus Valley were founded through co-workers such as Epaphras during Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Scripture does not, however, directly state that Epaphras founded the church in Hierapolis. The name Hierapolis is read as illustrating how Paul's gospel ministry spread to surrounding cities through his co-workers.

Interpretations and Debates

• The water of Laodicea: Revelation 3:15–16 rebukes the church in Laodicea as "neither cold nor hot" but "lukewarm." Many commentators read this language in light of the neighboring cities, seeing it as an image contrasting the hot springs of Hierapolis, the cold water of Colossae, and the water of Laodicea, which became lukewarm after being channeled in from a distance. This interpretation relies on the geographical background; the text does not mention Hierapolis directly. Hierapolis is also not among the seven churches of Asia.
• The Philip tradition: The fourth-century church historian Eusebius, quoting the second-century bishop Polycrates of Ephesus, reports that Philip was buried in Hierapolis along with his daughters. The prophesying daughters in this tradition, however, resemble those of Philip the evangelist in Acts 21:9. Many therefore hold that Philip the apostle, one of the Twelve, and Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, were conflated in the tradition. This account is later church tradition, not the biblical text.
• Early church figures: Papias, bishop of Hierapolis in the early second century, is known for leaving early testimony concerning the origins of the Gospels. His testimony survives through quotations in Eusebius.

In the Korean Church

On pilgrimage tours to the sites of the seven churches of Asia in Türkiye, itineraries commonly include the ruins of Hierapolis at Pamukkale along with Laodicea. In preaching, the city is usually introduced as background when explaining the "lukewarm faith" of Revelation 3.