The term "lukewarm" is prominently featured in the Bible in the context of spiritual fervor and commitment, particularly in the Book of Revelation. It is used metaphorically to describe a state of spiritual indifference or lack of zeal, which is neither hot nor cold. This concept is addressed in the message to the church in Laodicea, one of the seven churches in Asia Minor, as recorded in Revelation 3:14-22.

Biblical Context:

In Revelation 3:15-16 , the risen Christ addresses the church in Laodicea: "I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth." This passage highlights the disdain for a half-hearted commitment to faith, emphasizing that a lukewarm spiritual state is unacceptable to God.

Historical and Cultural Background:

Laodicea was a wealthy city known for its banking industry, medical school, and textile production. However, it lacked a local water supply, relying on aqueducts to bring water from hot springs and cold sources. By the time the water reached the city, it was often lukewarm, which may have served as a vivid illustration for the Laodiceans of their spiritual condition.

Theological Significance:

The lukewarm condition of the Laodicean church serves as a warning against complacency and self-sufficiency in the Christian life. The passage suggests that God desires a fervent and committed relationship with His followers, one characterized by passion and dedication. The imagery of being "vomited out" underscores the severity of spiritual indifference and the need for repentance and renewal.

Application for Believers:

The call to avoid being lukewarm is a call to examine one's spiritual life and to pursue a vibrant and active faith. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with Christ, marked by love, obedience, and service. The passage invites Christians to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to rekindle their spiritual fervor and to live out their faith with conviction and purpose.

Related Concepts:

· Zeal: The opposite of being lukewarm, zeal refers to an enthusiastic and passionate commitment to God and His purposes.
· Repentance: The call to the Laodiceans includes an invitation to repent, turning away from complacency and towards a renewed devotion to Christ.
· Spiritual Renewal: The process of revitalizing one's faith and commitment, often through prayer, study of Scripture, and active participation in the life of the church.

Cross-References:

· Romans 12:11 : "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
· Matthew 22:37 : "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"
· 2 Timothy 1:6 : "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

The concept of being lukewarm serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of wholehearted devotion to God, urging believers to avoid spiritual complacency and to pursue a vibrant and active faith.5513. chliaros -- tepid, warm
... tepid, warm. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: chliaros Phonetic Spelling:
(khlee-ar-os') Short Definition: lukewarm Definition: warm, tepid; of persons ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5513.htm - 6k

An Instance of a Lukewarm Monk Caught in the Snares of ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XII. An instance of a lukewarm monk caught in the
snares of covetousness. I know of one, who thinks himself ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii an instance of.htm

Lukewarmness.
... LUKEWARMNESS. A lukewarm life is a displeasure to God; he would have us to
be fervent in spirit. ... A lukewarm state is a dangerous state. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/lukewarmness.htm

The Answer Concerning the Threefold Condition of Souls.
... this world and from its pleasure, or because we are free from corruption and carnal
intercourse, and thus we find ourselves in that lukewarm condition which is ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xix the answer concerning.htm

How those are to be Admonished who do not Even Begin Good Things ...
... Let them hear what is written; I would thou wert cold or hot: but, because than
art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to spue thee out of my ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiv how those are.htm

The Laodicean State of Christendom.
... Its condition is described as "lukewarm:" it is neither one thing nor the other ...
"Luke warm," as though hot and cold water had been poured into the same vessel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 the laodicean state of.htm

Christ's Curate in Decapolis
... for the truth. If you were not lukewarm when you served Satan, be not lukewarm
now that you have come to serve Christ. There are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs curate in decapolis.htm

Letter xxviii (Circa AD 1130) to the Abbots Assembled at Soissons
... He recommends to them a great desire of spiritual progress, and begs them not to
be delayed in their work if lukewarm and lax persons should perhaps murmur. ...
/.../letter xxviii circa a d 1130.htm

That Holy Communion is not Lightly to be Omitted
... or take away their faith by his attacks, if haply he may prevail upon them to give
up Holy Communion altogether, or to come thereto with lukewarm hearts. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x that holy communion.htm

The Eighteenth Chapter: the Example Set us by the Holy Fathers
... They were given as an example for all religious, and their power to stimulate us
to perfection ought to be greater than that of the lukewarm to tempt us to ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eighteenth chapter the example.htm

What is Our Free Will, which Stands in Between the Lust of the ...
... But now thou art lukewarm, and I will forthwith spue thee out of my mouth;" [1303]
were it not that these contentions which rise up on both sides disturb and ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii what is our.htm

Lukewarm (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lukewarm (1 Occurrence). Revelation 3:16 So, because you
are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. ...
/l/lukewarm.htm - 6k

Luke-warm (1 Occurrence)
Luke-warm. Lukewarm, Luke-warm. Lull . Multi-Version Concordance Luke-warm
(1 Occurrence). ... Lukewarm, Luke-warm. Lull . Reference Bible.
/l/luke-warm.htm - 6k

Vomit (12 Occurrences)
... NIV). Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor
cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. (WEB WEY WBS YLT). ...
/v/vomit.htm - 10k

Lull (1 Occurrence)

/l/lull.htm - 7k

Warm (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Fig.: Not cool, indifferent, lukewarm, or the like, in spirit or temper;
zealous; ardent; fervent; excited; sprightly; irritable; excitable. ...
/w/warm.htm - 15k

Spue (4 Occurrences)
... Spue (4 Occurrences). Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither
cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (KJV DBY). ...
/s/spue.htm - 7k

Spit (15 Occurrences)
... NIV). Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,
I will vomit you out of my mouth. (See NAS NIV). Leviticus ...
/s/spit.htm - 13k

Spew (6 Occurrences)
... Spew (6 Occurrences). Revelation 3:16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither
hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. (ASV RSV). ...
/s/spew.htm - 8k

Accordingly (34 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Revelation 3:16 Accordingly, because you are lukewarm and neither hot
nor cold, before long I will vomit you out of My mouth. (WEY). ...
/a/accordingly.htm - 17k

Cold (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Revelation 3:16 So, because you are
lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. ...
/c/cold.htm - 18k

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