Lukewarmness
Summary
A spiritual condition of indifference, neither hot nor cold, denounced by Christ in His letter to the church at Laodicea.
☩Christ's Rebuke to Laodicea
Christ declared to the church at Laodicea, 'I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth' (Revelation 3:15-16). Lukewarmness describes a comfortable, complacent spirituality that avoids extremes—neither the zeal of devotion nor the honest coldness of unbelief. The Laodiceans thought themselves rich and in need of nothing, not realizing they were 'wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked' (Revelation 3:17).
☩The Remedy
Christ counseled the lukewarm Laodiceans to buy from Him 'gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed; and eyesalve, that thou mayest see' (Revelation 3:18). Despite His severe rebuke, He still offered restoration: 'As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent' (Revelation 3:19). He stands at the door and knocks, promising intimate fellowship to any who will open (Revelation 3:20).
Related Verses17 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lukewarmness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Lukewarmness," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).