Revelation 3:17-18 BSB

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 3:18

(18) I counsel thee to buy.—There is, perhaps, a touch of irony here. How could the poor and naked buy? But the irony has no sting, for the counsel but recalled the invitation of the prophet to buy “without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).Gold—i.e., golden coin, “tried,” or, fired out of fire, and so free from alloy or dross. Trench suggests that “gold” here stands for faith. Does not, however, the self-deceiving state of this Church rather point to love as the missing grace? The... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 3:1-22

Seven Revelation 3:1 I think, of all fearful passages in Holy Scripture, the Epistles to the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea are the most fearful. Sardis was looked on as a model Church, no doubt prided herself and was envied by others, for her spiritual endowments, gift of tongues and the like. Imagine then, how like a thunderbolt it must have fallen upon them, when they came together on the Sunday that followed the receipt of this epistle, and the Bishop read the words of Him that cannot be... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

CHAPTER 3 Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea 1. Sardis: The reformation period (Revelation 3:1-6 ) 2. Philadelphia: The faithful remnant (Revelation 3:7-13 ) 3. Laodicea: The indifferent and apostate Church (Revelation 3:14-22 ) Revelation 3:1-6 . We have traced briefly the decline during the 1450-1500 years of Church history. The climax is reached in Thyatira, prophetically the Roman abomination and apostasy. In Sardis we see the progress of evil stayed. Roman Catholicism, as already... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 3:17

3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, {13} and poor, and blind, and naked:(13) The spiritual misery of men is metaphorically expressed in three points which are matched as corresponds to those remedies offered in Revelation 3:18 . read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

The Assembly at Sardis (vv. 1-6) The message to the assembly at Sardis has a very different character, for instead of being a development from Thyatira, it is rather a revulsion from it. Sardis means "a remnant" and represents the Protestant movement that began with the reformation of Luther's time. Of course, the power and grace of God was behind that reformation and the truth of justification by faith was thankfully recovered. But rather than going back to the first truths of Christianity,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:1-22

THE SEVEN CHURCHES This section might also be entitled “The things which are.” No agreement exists as to the application of “angel” in the address to each of these churches, but as the word means “messenger,” it may refer to those sent by the churches to interview the apostle at Patmos (see Philippians 4:18 ). Of course, the seven churches existed at this time in Asia, and yet the epistles have not only a local application to them, but apply representatively to the whole church everywhere at... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

(14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:14-22

The seventh and last letter is to the Angel of the Church of Laodicia. Christ here takes the title of the Amen, [3] as if he said, I am the Truth. --- The beginning of the creation, or of the creatures of God, to which is added, in the first chapter, the beginning and the end. --- Thou art neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm. A dreadful reprehension, whatever exposition we follow. According to the common interpretation, by the cold are meant those who are guilty of great sins; by the ... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:14-22

14-22 Laodicea was the last and worst of the seven churches of Asia. Here our Lord Jesus styles himself, "The Amen;" one steady and unchangeable in all his purposes and promises. If religion is worth anything, it is worth every thing. Christ expects men should be in earnest. How many professors of gospel doctrine are neither hot nor cold; except as they are indifferent in needful matters, and hot and fiery in disputes about things of lesser moment! A severe punishment is threatened. They would... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Revelation 3:1-99

Revelation 3 To SARDIS THE LORD presented Himself as the One who not only had the seven stars, as before mentioned, but also the seven Spirits of God. This is a fresh feature. In Rev_1:4 they were said to be “before His throne,” but now we learn they are in the possession of Christ. The fulness of spiritual power for the government of the earth, according to Isa_11:2 , is His. And not only power but vitality also; which was much to the point in dealing with this church which was dead, in spite... read more