Revelation 3:16

16 But because you are lukewarm -- neither hot, nor cold -- I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 3:16

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
&c.] A lukewarm professor is one that serves God and mammon; that halts between two opinions, and knows not what religion is best, and cares little for any, yet keeps in a round of duty, though indifferent to it, and contents himself with it; and is un concerned about the life and power of godliness, and takes up with the external form of it; and has no thought about the glory of God, the interest of Christ and truth; and this was too much the case of this church, at least of a great number of its members; wherefore it was very loathsome to Christ, hence he threatens:

I will spew thee out of my mouth;
this shows how nauseous lukewarmness is to Christ, insomuch that on account of it he would not own and acknowledge her as his; but even cast her out, unchurch her, and have no more any such imperfect church state upon earth, as he afterwards never will, this is the last; nor is there any church state, or any remains of one in Laodicea; it is indeed quite uninhabited.

Revelation 3:16 In-Context

14 "Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea: "The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of all God has made, says this:
15 I know what you do, that you are not hot or cold. I wish that you were hot or cold!
16 But because you are lukewarm -- neither hot, nor cold -- I am ready to spit you out of my mouth.
17 You say, 'I am rich, and I have become wealthy and do not need anything.' But you do not know that you are really miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18 I advise you to buy from me gold made pure in fire so you can be truly rich. Buy from me white clothes so you can be clothed and so you can cover your shameful nakedness. Buy from me medicine to put on your eyes so you can truly see.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.