Lexical Summary Laodikeia: Laodicea Original Word: Λαοδίκεια 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 Originfrom laos and diké Definition Laodicea, a city in Phrygia NASB Translation Laodicea (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2993: ΛαοδίκειαΛαοδίκεια (Λαοδικια T WH (see Iota); R G L Tr accent Λαοδίκεια, cf. Chandler § 104), Λαοδικείας, ἡ, 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. ( 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. Theological Themes 1. Spiritual Self-Sufficiency versus Dependence on Christ. Worldly wealth can mask poverty of soul; only the riches of grace satisfy. Practical Ministry Lessons • Affluent congregations must vigilantly cultivate humility, intercession, and missional generosity to avoid Laodicean apathy. 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 LaodikeíasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Colossians 2:1 N-DFSGRK: 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 Colossians 4:16 N-GFS Revelation 1:11 N-AFS Revelation 3:14 N-DFS Strong's Greek 2993 |
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