Laodicea

In the Bible

In Colossians, Paul says that he is striving on behalf of the believers in Colossae and Laodicea (Colossians 2:1). He describes Epaphras, a fellow worker from Colossae, as one who labors greatly for the people of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13). Paul sends greetings to the brethren in Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house. He instructs that the letter also be read in the church of the Laodiceans and that the Colossians read "the epistle from Laodicea" (Colossians 4:15-16).

In Revelation, Laodicea is named last among the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 1:11). In the letter of Revelation 3:14-22, Christ identifies himself as "the Amen, the faithful and true witness" and rebukes the church because it is "neither cold nor hot," warning that he will "spue thee out of my mouth." The church claims to be rich and to have need of nothing, but it is told that it is in fact "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Christ counsels the church to buy "gold tried in the fire," "white raiment," and "eyesalve," and, declaring that he rebukes those he loves, calls it to repentance (Revelation 3:19). There follow the invitation "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock" (Revelation 3:20) and the promise that the one who overcomes will sit with him on his throne (Revelation 3:21).

Background

Laodicea is said to have been founded by Antiochus II of the Seleucid dynasty and named after his wife, Laodice. Colossae and Hierapolis lay nearby, and the city was a wealthy center on a major trade route. The Roman historian Tacitus recorded that after an earthquake around AD 60 the city rebuilt itself without Roman aid. It is also widely said to have been known for banking, black wool, and eye salve, though scholars weigh the evidence for these claims differently. Commentators also frequently note that the city brought in its water from a distance by aqueduct.

Interpretation and Issues

• The meaning of "lukewarm": Traditionally, the term has been read as describing a lack of zeal in faith. Another interpretation links it to the local water supply: the hot springs of Hierapolis were used for healing and the cold water of Colossae was refreshing to drink, but lukewarm water was useful for neither. On this reading, "cold" is not a bad condition, and the rebuke focuses on uselessness. Scholars disagree about how valid this geographical interpretation is.
• The imagery of wealth, eye salve, and clothing: Many interpreters see these expressions as reflecting the city's economic features, though scholars assess the extent of this connection differently.
• The seven churches and church ages: Some in the dispensationalist tradition read the seven churches as seven ages of church history and regard Laodicea as the church of the final age. Other interpreters view the seven churches as actual first-century congregations whose messages apply to every age.
• The audience of Revelation 3:20: This verse is widely used in evangelism as an invitation for unbelievers to receive Christ into their hearts. Others point out, however, that the text is part of a letter addressed to a church and should therefore be read as a call for a community of believers to restore its fellowship with Christ.
• "The epistle from Laodicea": The identity of this letter is unknown. Proposals include Ephesians as a circular letter read among several churches, Philemon, and a letter that has not survived. Marcion in the second century is reported to have called Ephesians the "Epistle to the Laodiceans." The Latin Epistle to the Laodiceans is regarded as a later forgery and is not part of the canon.

In the Korean Church

In Korean church preaching, the phrase "lukewarm faith like the church of Laodicea" is often used to call for zeal and repentance. Revelation 3:20 has been widely quoted as an invitation to receive Christ in personal evangelism materials such as the Four Spiritual Laws tract distributed by Korea Campus Crusade for Christ.