Revelation 3:15

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 3:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Revelation 3:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I know thy works, etc.] Which were far from being perfect, and not so good as those of the former church: that thou art neither cold nor hot; she was not “cold”, or without spiritual life, at least in many of her members, as all men by nature are, and carnal professors be; she was alive, but not lively: nor was she wholly without spiritual affections and love; to God, and Christ, to his people, ways, truths, and ordinances; she had love, but the fervency of it was abated: nor was she without spiritual breathings and desires altogether, as dead men are; or without the light and knowledge of the Gospel, and a profession of it, and yet she was not “hot”; her love to God and Christ, and the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“neither cold--The antithesis to "hot," literally, "boiling" ("fervent," Act 18:25; Rom 12:11; compare Sol 8:6; Luk 24:32), requires that "cold" should here mean more than negatively cold; it is rather, positively icy cold: having never yet been warmed. The Laodiceans were in spiritual things cold comparatively, but not cold as the world outside, and as those who had never belonged to the Church. The lukewarm state, if it be the transitional stage to a warmer, is a desirable state (for a little religion, if real, is better than none); but most fatal when, as here, an abiding condition, for it is mistaken for a safe state (Rev 3:17). This accounts for Christ's desiring that they were cold…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I know thy works - notes on Revelation 2:2. That thou art neither cold nor hot - The word “cold” here would seem to denote the state where there was no pretension to religion; where everything was utterly lifeless and dead. The language is obviously figurative, but it is such as is often employed, when we speak of one as being cold toward another, as having a cold or icy heart, etc. The word “hot” would denote, of course, the opposite - warm and zealous in their love and service. The very words that we are constrained to use when speaking on this subject - such words as ardent (that is, hot or burning); fervid (that is, very hot, burning, boiling) - show how necessary it is to use such…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I know thy works - Thy disposition and behaviour, though thou knowest it not thyself. That thou art neither cold - An utter stranger to the things of God, having no care or thought about them. Nor hot - As boiling water: so ought we to be penetrated and heated by the fire of love. O that thou wert - This wish of our Lord plainly implies that he does not work on us irresistibly, as the fire does on the water which it heats. Cold or hot - Even if thou wert cold, without any thought or profession of religion, there would be more hope of thy recovery. Revelation 3:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:15-16 neither hot nor cold: The hot springs in Hierapolis were famous for their healing qualities. Colosse was equally famous for its cold, refreshing springs. In contrast, the water available in Laodicea was smelly and lukewarm. Such water is distasteful; Jesus was saying that the church’s indecisive commitment to him was revolting.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I know: Rev 3:1, Rev 2:2 that: Rev 2:4; Mat 24:12; Phi 1:9; Th2 1:3; Pe1 1:22 I would: Deu 5:29; Psa 81:11-13; Co2 12:20 thou: Jos 24:15-24; Kg1 18:21; Pro 23:26; Hos 7:8, Hos 10:2; Zep 1:5, Zep 1:6; Mat 6:24; Mat 10:37; Luk 14:27, Luk 14:28; Co1 16:22; Jam 1:8 Revelation 3:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification