Lexical Summary kollourion: Eye salve Original Word: κολλούριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eye salve. Neuter of a presumed derivative of kollura (a cake; prob akin to the base of kollao); properly, a poultice (as made of or in the form of crackers), i.e. (by analogy) a plaster -- eyesalve. see GREEK kollao NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee kollurion NASB Translation eye salve (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2854: κολλούριονκολλούριον (T Tr κολλύριον, the more common form in secular authors (cf. Lob. Pathol. proleg., p. 461; WH's Appendix, p. 152)), κολλουριου, τό (diminutive of κολλύρα, coarse bread of a cylindrical shape, like that known in Westphalia as Pumpernickel), Latincollyrium (A. V. eye-salve), a preparation shaped like a κολλύρα, composed of various materials and used as a remedy for tender eyelids (Horace sat. 1, 5, 30; Epictetus diss. 2, 21, 20; 3, 21, 21; Celsus 6, 6, 7): Revelation 3:18. STRONGS NT 2854: κολλύριονκολλύριον, see κολλούριον. Topical Lexicon Definition and Background Kollourion denotes an eye-salve, a medicated ointment applied to the eyes to restore or protect vision. The term was borrowed from first-century medical vocabulary and evokes the well-known ophthalmic preparations produced in Phrygian Laodicea. Historical Context in Laodicea Laodicea stood at the junction of important trade routes and was famous for three things: its banking industry, its glossy black wool, and its medical school that specialized in ophthalmology. Ancient writers such as Strabo and Galen mention a Phrygian powder mixed with oil to make an eye-ointment sold throughout the Roman Empire. When the risen Christ counseled the Laodicean church to acquire spiritual “salve to anoint your eyes” (Revelation 3:18), the metaphor would have struck them with immediate force: the city that prided itself on curing physical sight was spiritually blind. Biblical Usage Revelation 3:18 is the sole occurrence: “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see”. The three commodities—gold, garments, and eye-salve—mirror Laodicea’s local wealth, textile trade, and medical reputation, yet each earthly asset is shown to be inadequate apart from Christ. Theological Significance 1. Spiritual Perception versus Physical Sight The Laodiceans were neither hot nor cold (Revelation 3:15-16). Christ does not merely denounce them; He prescribes a remedy. The kollourion symbolizes the Spirit-wrought discernment that leads to repentance and renewed zeal (Revelation 3:19). Throughout the Gospels Jesus heals physical blindness (Mark 10:46-52; John 9:1-7), prefiguring His power to cure spiritual blindness. The eye-salve metaphor extends this messianic role into the church age. Ministerial Application • Self-Examination: Believers are called to ask the Lord to reveal hidden complacency and self-sufficiency. Cross-References to Related Biblical Themes Isaiah 42:6-7 – Messiah opens blind eyes. Matthew 13:15 – A call to eyes that truly see. Acts 26:18 – Paul’s commission “to open their eyes.” 1 John 2:20-27 – The anointing that teaches. Summary Kollourion in Revelation 3:18 stands as a vivid call to receive from Christ the spiritual insight Laodicea lacked. Earthly resources cannot cure the blindness of the soul; only the risen Lord supplies the eye-salve that enables His people to see truth, repent, and walk in zealous fellowship with Him. Forms and Transliterations κολλουριον κολλούριον κολλύρια κουλλυριον kollourion kolloúrionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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