Revelation 3:16

16 but for thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, neither hot, I shall begin to cast thee out of my mouth. [but for thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I shall begin for to vomit thee 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 And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write thou, These things saith Amen, the faithful witness and true, which is beginning of God's creature [that is the beginning of God's creature].

15 I know thy works, for neither thou art cold, neither thou art hot; I would that thou were cold, either hot; [I know thy works, for neither thou art cold, nor hot; I would thou were cold, or hot;]

16 but for thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, neither hot, I shall begin to cast thee out of my mouth. [but for thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I shall begin for to vomit thee out of my mouth.]

17 For thou sayest, That I am rich, and full of goods, and have need of nothing; and thou knowest not, that thou art a wretch, and wretchful [for thou art a wretch, and wretched], and poor, and blind, and naked.

18 I counsel thee to buy of me burnt gold, and proved, that thou be made rich, and be clothed with white clothes, that the confusion of thy nakedness be not seen; and anoint thine eyes with a collyrium, that thou see. [+I counsel thee, to buy of me gold fired, and proved, that thou be made rich, and be clothed with white clothes, that the confusion, or shame, of thy nakedness appear not; and anoint thine eyes with a collyrium, that is, a medicine for eyes, made of diverse herbs, that thou see.]