2993. Laodikeia
Lexical Summary
Laodikeia: Laodicea

Original Word: Λαοδίκεια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: Laodikeia
Pronunciation: lah-od-ik'-i-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (lah-od-ik'-i-ah)
KJV: Laodicea
NASB: Laodicea
Word Origin: [from a compound of G2992 (λαός - people) and G1349 (δίκη - justice)]

1. Laodicia, a place in Asia Minor

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Laodicea.

From a compound of laos and dike; Laodicia, a place in Asia Minor -- Laodicea.

see GREEK laos

see GREEK dike

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from laos and diké
Definition
Laodicea, a city in Phrygia
NASB Translation
Laodicea (6).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2993: Λαοδίκεια

Λαοδίκεια (Λαοδικια T WH (see Iota); R G L Tr accent Λαοδίκεια, cf. Chandler § 104), Λαοδικείας, , Laodicea, a city of Phrygia, situated on the river Lycus not far from Colossae. After having been successively called Diospolis and Rhoas, it was named Laodicea in honor of Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II. (). It was destroyed by an earthquake, A.D. 66 (or earlier, see Lightfoots Commentary on Colossians and Philemon, p. 38f), together with Colossae and Hierapolis (see Κολοσσαί); and afterward rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius. It was the seat of a Christian church: Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:13, 15f ((on the 'Epistle to (or 'from') the Laodiceans' see Lightfoot's Commentary, as above, pp. 274-300)); Revelation 1:11; Revelation 3:14, and in the (Rec.) subscription of the 1 Timothy (See Lightfoot's Commentary on Colossians and Philemon, Introductory § 1; Forbiger, Hndbch. d. alton Geogr. 2te Ausg. 2:347f.)

Topical Lexicon
Geographical and Historical Setting

Laodicea lay in the fertile Lycus Valley of Asia Minor, approximately eleven miles west of Colossae and six miles south of Hierapolis (modern-day Denizli, Turkey). Founded in the third century B.C. by Seleucid ruler Antiochus II and named after his wife Laodice, the city occupied an important junction of east-west and north-south trade routes. Its prosperity was legendary: banking interests, a thriving textile industry producing a glossy black wool, and a famous medical school known for its eye-salve combined to make Laodicea one of the wealthiest cities of the Roman world. When a devastating earthquake struck in A.D. 60, the citizens declined imperial relief and rebuilt at their own expense, a testimony to their self-confidence. Water reached the city through a long aqueduct from hot springs several miles away; by the time it arrived, it was tepid—an image later employed by the risen Christ.

Biblical Occurrences

Laodicea appears five times in the Greek New Testament (Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:15; Colossians 4:16; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 3:14). The following verses illustrate its biblical role:

Colossians 2:1: “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face.”

Revelation 3:14-18: “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation. I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot… I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire… and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.’”

Formation of the Church

Although the Apostle Paul had never visited Laodicea personally (Colossians 2:1), the gospel almost certainly arrived through Epaphras, who labored in nearby Colossae and Hierapolis (Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13). A house church met in the home of Nympha (Colossians 4:15), indicating that the congregation was established and sufficiently organized to host public reading of apostolic correspondence (Colossians 4:16).

Paul’s Pastoral Interest

Paul expresses a “great struggle” for the believers in Laodicea, praying that they would be “knit together in love” and come to the “full riches of complete understanding” (Colossians 2:2-3). His concern suggests that the same false teaching threatening Colossae—an early syncretism blending Jewish legalism, mystical visions, and ascetic practices—also endangered Laodicea. Paul therefore ordered reciprocal circulation of letters between the two churches (Colossians 4:16). The “letter from Laodicea” has not survived; some early writers identified it with Ephesians, while others believed it to be a separate, now-lost epistle.

The Risen Christ’s Rebuke and Promise

In Revelation 3:14-22 the ascended Lord addresses Laodicea, the final church in the series of seven:

• Condition: Neither “cold” (refreshing like Colossae’s mountain water) nor “hot” (healing like Hierapolis’s springs), the church is “lukewarm,” provoking divine disgust.
• Self-deception: Material affluence fostered spiritual complacency—“You say, ‘I am rich… and need nothing.’”
• Counsel: Purchase true “gold” (tested faith), “white garments” (imputed righteousness), and “salve” (spiritual discernment)—allusions that would resonate with the city’s banking, textile, and medical fame.
• Discipline in love: “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline.” Christ’s correction springs from covenant love, not condemnation.
• Invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Fellowship with Christ is offered anew if repentance replaces indifference.
• Promise: The overcomer will share Christ’s throne, highlighting the reward of restored intimacy and authority.

Theological Themes

1. Spiritual Self-Sufficiency versus Dependence on Christ. Worldly wealth can mask poverty of soul; only the riches of grace satisfy.
2. Lukewarmness. Half-hearted devotion is nauseating to the Lord. Passionate commitment, whether expressed in zealous service (“hot”) or refreshing witness (“cold”), pleases Him.
3. Loving Discipline. Christ’s rebuke aims at renewal. Repentance opens the door to deeper communion.
4. Corporate Responsibility. The entire congregation is addressed, illustrating that communal culture shapes individual discipleship.

Practical Ministry Lessons

• Affluent congregations must vigilantly cultivate humility, intercession, and missional generosity to avoid Laodicean apathy.
• Public reading and sharing of Scripture between assemblies (Colossians 4:16) models healthy ecclesial cooperation.
• Pastors and teachers should emulate Paul’s fervent prayer life and doctrinal vigilance on behalf of churches they may never meet in person.
• Church discipline, when grounded in love, safeguards spiritual vitality and paves the way for restored fellowship.

Later Church History

Laodicea remained an important Christian center into the fourth century. The regional Council of Laodicea (circa A.D. 363-364) issued canons concerning ecclesiastical order and scriptural reading, reflecting ongoing concern for orthodoxy and liturgical integrity. Over time, however, the city declined, and its ruins testify silently to the enduring relevance of Christ’s warning against complacency.

Laodicea in Prophetic Perspective

Some students of Revelation see Laodicea as representative of end-time churches tempted by prosperity and pluralism. While interpretive models vary, the letter’s timeless call is clear: wholehearted devotion, humble dependence on Christ, and readiness to heed the Spirit’s voice.

Key References

Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:15-16; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 3:14-22

Forms and Transliterations
Λαοδικείᾳ Λαοδίκειαν Λαοδικείας Λαοδικια Λαοδικίᾳ Λαοδικιαν Λαοδικίαν Λαοδικιας Λαοδικίας Laodikeia Laodikeíāi Laodikeian Laodíkeian Laodikeias Laodikeías
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Colossians 2:1 N-DFS
GRK: τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ καὶ ὅσοι
NAS: who are at Laodicea, and for all those who
KJV: [for] them at Laodicea, and
INT: those in Laodicea and as many as

Colossians 4:15 N-DFS
GRK: τοὺς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ ἀδελφοὺς καὶ
NAS: the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha
KJV: which are in Laodicea, and
INT: the in Laodicea brothers and

Colossians 4:16 N-GFS
GRK: τὴν ἐκ Λαοδικείας ἵνα καὶ
NAS: and you, for your part read my letter [that is coming] from Laodicea.
KJV: read the [epistle] from Laodicea.
INT: that from Laodicea that also

Revelation 1:11 N-AFS
GRK: καὶ εἰς Λαοδίκειαν
NAS: and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.
KJV: and unto Laodicea.
INT: and to Laodicea

Revelation 3:14 N-DFS
GRK: τῆς ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον
NAS: of the church in Laodicea write:
INT: of the in Laodicea church write

Strong's Greek 2993
5 Occurrences


Λαοδικείᾳ — 3 Occ.
Λαοδίκειαν — 1 Occ.
Λαοδικείας — 1 Occ.

2992
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