‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
Parallel translations
- WEB “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
- KJV I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
- BSB I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!
- ESV “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
- NKJV “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
- NLT “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Christ knows they are neither cold nor hot and wishes they were one or the other. It matters because spiritual lukewarmness is offensive to Christ.
Overview
Laodicea's faith is described as tepid and ineffective, neither refreshing nor healing. Drawing perhaps on the city's lukewarm water supply, Christ contrasts useful hot and cold water with their uselessness. He longs for a faith of real substance rather than complacent mediocrity.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 22
- Rom 12:11not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
- Matt 6:24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
- 1 Kgs 18:21Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word.
- Jas 1:8He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
- Rev 2:4But I have this against you, that you left your first love.
- Ps 81:11–13But my people didn’t listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.
- Matt 24:12Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.
- Zeph 1:5–6those who worship the army of the sky on the housetops, those who worship and swear by Yahweh and also swear by Malcam,
- Prov 23:26My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.
- 2 Cor 12:20For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;
- 1 Pet 1:22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:
- Phil 1:9This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
- Rev 3:1“And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
- Matt 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
- Deut 5:29Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!
- Luke 14:27–28Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross, and come after me, can’t be my disciple.
- 2 Th 1:3We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;
- Rev 2:2“I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
- Hos 10:2Their heart is divided. Now they will be found guilty. He will demolish their altars. He will destroy their sacred stones.
- Josh 24:15–24If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
- 1 Cor 16:22If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, Lord!
- Hos 7:8Ephraim, he mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 3:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.