Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 3:15-16

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth." — Revelation 3:15-16 (ASV)

Neither cold nor hot.—The “heat” here is the glowing, fervent zeal and devotion which is commended and commanded elsewhere (Romans 12:11). It is not, however, the self-conscious, galvanized earnestness which, in days of senile pietism, passes for zeal. It is an earnestness which does not recognize itself as earnest, being entirely absorbed in its work. It is self-forgetful, and therefore self-sacrificing, rather than ambitious of self-sacrifice.

It is, in short, kindled by God, and sustained by communion with the Divine One (Luke 24:32), and restored by fellowship with Him (Compare to 1 John 4:15–20). The “cold” describes the state of those who are still untouched by the Gospel of Love. An intermediate state between these is the “lukewarm”; such people are neither earnest for God nor utterly indifferent to religion.

They are, perhaps, best described as those who take an interest in religion. However, their worship of their idol of good taste, or “good form,” leads them to regard enthusiasm as ill-bred and disturbing. Furthermore, they have never put themselves to any inconvenience, braved any reproach, or abandoned any comfort for Christ's sake. Instead, they hoped to remain on good terms with the world while flattering themselves that they were also on good terms with God, and thus were in danger of betraying their Master, Judas-like, with a kiss.

With the denunciation of “lukewarmness” here, we may compare the exhortation to greater ministerial earnestness addressed to Archippus (Colossians 4:17).

I would...—The wish is not that they might grow cold rather than remain in this lukewarm state; it is more a regret that they are among those who are in a condition so liable to self-deception. Such a state is “both to God displeasing and to His foes.” And this is expressed in startling language: I am about (such is the force of the words) to spue thee....