Why would Jesus rather we be cold than lukewarm?

[cuja1]

Doesn't that mean that if we can't be on fire for Jesus all the time then He'd rather we live like we're on a highway to hell?

 

[Sketcher]

Seems that you're mixing metaphors. Cold water can be refreshing, hot water can be therapeutic. Lukewarm water is just blah.

 

[SeventyOne]

He's likening us to something like water to be spewed out of His mouth. Think of it that way. Cold water is refreshing and hot water is cleansing, but lukewarm water has no real benefit.

 

[timewerx]

hot - like the disciples
cold - those poor/broken in spirit
lukewarm - false pretense of both/self-deceived; hyppocrites; false humility; double standard

 

[paul1149]

If we're cold, we know it. We're uncomfortable and out of resources, and are forced to go to the Lord for correction and restoration. If we're lukewarm, we're comfortable and complacent. We're like the frog in the pot falling asleep. It's easier for the Lord to get to us when we know something's wrong.

You can see from the text that the Laodiceans were full of themselves:

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. -Rev 3:17​

The Bible speaks of "the deceit of riches" (in the parable of the sower), and here the Laodiceans were deceived by the level of comfort they had attained.

Because they had blinded themselves, there was only one way for the Lord to deal with them - to spew them out of His mouth, so they would become cold. Then perhaps there would be hope they would repent and come to be on fire for Him again.

It's a very powerful warning for us all.

 

[Drick]

My applicable interpretation has always been that God even prefers an unbeliever or a heathen to a passivist or a hypocrite. Though that's might be me conflating well-earned wisdom with scripture, so feel free to correct me there.

It's been a long time since I've heard the metaphor in-context, so I could be mistaken, but I believe it was in reference to the Laodicean church, who were arrogant hypocrites (more or less). The reason for this specific metaphor would be in reference to the fact that the water pumped into that region was typically lukewarm. Once again, that's just from memory, so feel free to fact-check me.

 

[RDKirk]

I was unsure of this for a long time when I was young.

Most teaching was about how good it was to be "hot," but nobody had a good reason why being cold was just as acceptable to Jesus as being hot. I rejected the idea that Jesus preferred unbelief to hypocrisy because clearly in the scripture, cold was just as acceptable as hot, and unbelief could never be just as acceptable as belief to Jesus.

What was the explanation of cold being just as acceptable as hot?

It didn't come to me until the first time I went overseas in the Air Force to Thailand in 1974. On the first afternoon in country, my mentor took me to a local restaurant just outside the gate for lunch. The restaurant catered to Americans, in that on one side of the room there was a buffet table with a selection of sliced meats and breads for sandwiches.

But my mentor didn't go to the buffet, he selected a table and sat down.

We waited a few minutes--no server was to be found. I started getting antsy and suggested just getting food from the buffet.

My mentor said, "Oh, nooooo. Nope. You don't know how long that food's been out there. That food might have been sitting there since Tuesday."

Then he leaned close to me. Look. When you're out here in the 'ville, if they take the food right off the ice, you can eat it. If they take the food right off the fire, you can eat it. But if it's room temperature, spit it out! It will kill you!"

Then I suddenly understood the scripture. Even in the 1st century, people knew that food kept cool or kept hot stayed safe to eat, but food left at ambient temperature spoiled quickly.

Jesus was saying the same thing God had always talked about even from the Old Testament. He wanted His people to be a peculiar people--a different people from our surroundings.

To unbelievers, Christians should seem cold--because we don't get excited about the same things they get excited about. Yet, sometimes we will seem hot because we do get XOJ--excited over Jesus.

Be cold or be hot, just don't be be like those around you. Be peculiar.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. - 1 Peter 1

For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings, and unhallowed idolatries. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. -- 1 Peter 4

 

[Soyeong]

Doesn't that mean that if we can't be on fire for Jesus all the time then He'd rather we live like we're on a highway to hell?

It gets pretty hot in Israel.

 

[Apex]

It's been a long time since I've heard the metaphor in-context, so I could be mistaken, but I believe it was in reference to the Laodicean church, who were arrogant hypocrites (more or less). The reason for this specific metaphor would be in reference to the fact that the water pumped into that region was typically lukewarm. Once again, that's just from memory, so feel free to fact-check me.

This is why historical context is so important.

The image behind this metaphor is related to the water supply in Laodicea. The city did not have its own. Neighboring Hierapolis had hot, spring water, valuable for its medicinal effects. In its journey to Laodicea it lost its heat and medicinal value by the time it arrived either overland or by aqueduct. Nearby Colosse had cool, life-giving water that was refreshing as a beverage. This water too had lost its revitalizing value by the time it made it to Laodicea. This made all the water in Laodicea lukewarm and emetic. Such tepid water was sickening to drink. Just like the water, their works were ineffective at doing what they were supposed to be doing.

 

[RDKirk]

This is why historical context is so important.

The image behind this metaphor is related to the water supply in Laodicea.

Nope. That was made up.

 

[Apex]

Nope. That was made up.

Source?

This is what I found in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary:

Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 276.

 

[Drick]

Source?

This is what I found in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary:

View attachment 206165

Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 276.

I've checked, and a Holman Study Bible I keep around says the exact same thing in the footnotes for Rev 3:15-16. (By the way, it's the most beautiful and most helpful Bible I've ever seen. ISBN: 978-1-4336-0746-2 if anyone's in the market.)

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Seems that you're mixing metaphors. Cold water can be refreshing, hot water can be therapeutic. Lukewarm water is just blah.

Agree. I read this interesting commentary on it and I never really looked at the possibility that Jesus was addressing the Messengers of the Assemblies, which would include Jewish Synagogues.

This made me look at those 7 messengers of the assemblies is a different light.
This commentary also showed early physicians using luke warm water to induce vomiting. Thoughts?

Revelation 3:16 Commentaries: 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

Revelation 3:
14 To the messenger of the assembly in Laodicea write!
15 So -- because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth;

It is remarkable that the Greek adjectives are in the masculine, agreeing with the angel, not feminine, agreeing with the Church.
The Lord addresses the angel as the embodiment and representative of the Church.
The chief minister is answerable for his flock if he have not faithfully warned the members of it.

I will—Greek, "I am about to," "I am ready to": I have it in my mind: implying graciously the possibility of the threat not being executed, if only they repent at once.
His dealings towards them will depend on theirs towards Him.

spue thee out of my month—reject with righteous loathing, as Canaan spued out its inhabitants for their abominations.
Physicians used lukewarm water to cause vomiting. Cold and hot drinks were common at feasts, but never lukewarm. There were hot and cold springs near Laodicea.

Pulpit Commentary
Verse 16. - So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. The distaste and nausea produced by lukewarm food, which the stomach naturally rejects with loathing, are used as a figure in which to express the abhorrence of Christ for those who lacked zeal in his service (cf. Leviticus 18:28 and Leviticus 20:22, "That the land spue not you out also").

But the sentence is not irrevocable; there is still hope of averting it: Μέλλω σε ἐμέσαι, "I am about to spue thee," i.e. if a timely repentance does not avert the impending doom. (Contrast the absoluteness of the future in Revelation 2:5, etc., ἔρχομαί σοι ταχὺ καὶ κινήσω.)

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,....
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,

Strong's Greek: 5513. χλιαρός (chliaros) -- tepid, warm

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5513: χιλιαρος
to become warm, liquefy, melt), tepid, lukewarm: metaphorically, of the condition of a soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor and a fervor of love,

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

To be lukewarm is to be the same temperature as the surrounding environment. My take is that it is simply a call to be different from the world around us. Worrying too much about the hot-versus-cold interpretation may be overthinking things.

 

[Gideons300]

Doesn't that mean that if we can't be on fire for Jesus all the time then He'd rather we live like we're on a highway to hell?

A person who is cold knows he is far from God and therefore has a chance to repent. However, the lukewarm one thinks he is ok. He knows he is not hot, but hey, he is hotter than the cold one so all must be good, right?

To whom much is given, much is required. Lukewarm is having just enough of the live vaccine to prevent one from catching the real think. It is contentment without godliness and it makes a mockery of God's grace while at the same time using tht grace as an excuse as to why his position is perfectly acceptable to God. It is dangerous ground.

Blessings,

Gideon

 

[IT REALLY SAYS]

It is simple as this.... you have a girlfriend who sometimes is your girl and sometimes she's somebody elses..... who want that.....

 

[RDKirk]

Source?

This is what I found in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary:

View attachment 206165

Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 276.

Still made up. There are lots of myths with long legs among Christians.

First, remember that there was no physical letter from Christ to the Laodicians. John had a vision of Jesus speaking to the Laodicians by means of a letter, but John's letter of his vision was to the entire Church with a portion about shortcomings of the Church visible specifically in the Laodicians.

Inasmuch as John's vision was for the entire Church and there was never a physical letter specifically to the Laodicians, it's unlikely John (or Jesus) would have used a figure of speech that would only be meaningful to the Laodicians.

Second, if the Colossians happened to have cool water, they're the only ones who did--the Colossians were the exception, not the Laodicians Lukewarm water was the norm for nearly everyone. The Romans built many aqueducts, and all of them were too long to have been able to reliably deliver cool water from source to users. The distance was the reason they built aqueducts.

So a figure of speech that had any reference to "lukewarm water because of your aqueduct" would have applied to everyone except the Colossians...if it truly applied to the Colossians at all.

 

[RDKirk]

To be lukewarm is to be the same temperature as the surrounding environment. My take is that it is simply a call to be different from the world around us. Worrying too much about the hot-versus-cold interpretation may be overthinking things.

Exactly. See my post #7.

 

[Apex]

Still made up. There are lots of myths with long legs among Christians.

First, remember that there was no physical letter from Christ to the Laodicians. John had a vision of Jesus speaking to the Laodicians by means of a letter, but John's letter of his vision was to the entire Church with a portion about shortcomings of the Church visible specifically in the Laodicians.

Inasmuch as John's vision was for the entire Church and there was never a physical letter specifically to the Laodicians, it's unlikely John (or Jesus) would have used a figure of speech that would only be meaningful to the Laodicians.

It's only unlikely if you are correct that John's vision was for the entire community of believers universally and not just to the Laodicians. We apparently understand 3:14 differently.

Is it safe to assume you also discredit the irony of 3:17-18? Do you believe this historical context is also made-up? Each claim has a footnote citing an ancient source.

Second, if the Colossians happened to have cool water, they're the only ones who did--the Colossians were the exception, not the Laodicians Lukewarm water was the norm for nearly everyone. The Romans built many aqueducts, and all of them were too long to have been able to reliably deliver cool water from source to users. The distance was the reason they built aqueducts.

So a figure of speech that had any reference to "lukewarm water because of your aqueduct" would have applied to everyone except the Colossians...if it truly applied to the Colossians at all.

I think the image might have gone further than mere water temperature since it induced Christ to literally vomit it out of his mouth. Lukewarm water alone doesn't nauseate. I've read some other historians suggest their water supply was also more bitter to the taste at this temperature due to its mineral composition.

Either way, the point of this lukewarm water is that it was not worth drinking, in contrast to the drinkable hot and cold water. Why does it matter if this analogy was built on a situation that was similar to other cities?

 

[RDKirk]

It's only unlikely if you are correct that John's vision was for the entire community of believers universally and not just to the Laodicians. We apparently understand 3:14 differently.

Wait...are you saying that you think The Revelation of John was only for the Laodicians?

But let's go back for a moment to the "water" bit. Let's review a few translations:

New International Version
So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

New Living Translation
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

English Standard Version
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Berean Study Bible
So because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of My mouth!

Berean Literal Bible
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of My mouth.

New American Standard Bible
'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

King James Bible
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.

International Standard Version
Since you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.

NET Bible
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!

New Heart English Bible
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I am going to vomit you from my mouth.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth.

New American Standard 1977
‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

Jubilee Bible 2000
So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

King James 2000 Bible
So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.

American King James Version
So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.

American Standard Version
So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.

Darby Bible Translation
Thus because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spue thee out of my mouth.

English Revised Version
So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Webster's Bible Translation
So then, because thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit thee out of my mouth:

Weymouth New Testament
Accordingly, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, before long I will vomit you out of My mouth.

World English Bible
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.

Young's Literal Translation
So -- because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth;

Where does the discussion of "water" even come into it, inasmuch as very few translations even use it?

The point that you miss with your understanding is that Jesus expects His people to be different from their surroundings, a peculiar people who do not blend in.