Laodicean Church
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The Laodicean Church was a Christian community established in the ancient city of Laodiceia (on the river Lycus, in the Roman province of Asia Minor). The church was established in the earliest period of Christianity, and is probably best known for being one the seven churches addressed by name in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 3.14-21).
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[edit] References in Colossians
The Christian community in the city seems to have been connected with that of nearby Colossae (also in the Lycus valley - only 11 miles distant). Laodicea is mentioned five times in the New Testament's epistle to the Colossians. In writing to the Colossians, Paul sends greetings through them to a Laodicean named Nympha(s) and the church at his (or perhaps her) house (Col 4.15). He additionally greets Archippus, who may also be from Laodicea (4.17), and he instructs the Colossians to exchange his letter with one he has written to the Laodiceans (4.16). If the Colossian epistle is genuinely by Paul, then this would indicate a Christian presence in Laodicea as early as the AD 50's. It would also indicate that Laodicea (like Colossae) was not evangelized by Paul, but possibly by his disciple Epaphras.
The Laodicean letter, mentioned in Colossians is generally considered to be lost. However, following a suggestion by Tertullian, that Marcionite heretics changed the title, Harnack suggested that the canonical epistle to the Ephesians is this lost letter. Few modern scholars accept this, and scholars universally agree that the apocryphal Epistle to the Laodiceans is a later pastiche.
[edit] The Laodicean Church in the Revelation of John
In John's vision, recorded in the book of Revelation, Christ instructs John to write a message to seven named churches in Asia Minor. The message to Laodicea is one of judgement with a call to repentance. The oracle contains a number of striking metaphors.
[edit] 'Cold or Hot' (3:15-16)
- I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NRSV)
'Cold' and 'hot' are metaphors indicating hostility and friendship respectively. The notion of clear a choice put before the people has clear parallels both in Deuteronomy and in the Gospels (e.g. Matthew 6.24).
It has been suggested that the metaphors have been drawn from the water supply of the city, which was lukewarm, in contrast to the hot springs at nearby Hierapolis and the pure water of Colossae (so Barclay). The archaeology shows Laodicea had an aqueduct that probably carried water from hot mineral springs some five miles south, which would have become tepid before entering the city. Strabo states that the water was hard, though drinkable.
Hence the use of Laodicean in English for the neutral, lukewarm, or indifferent; especially in religious controversies.
[edit] 'poor, blind and naked' (3:17-18)
- For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. (NRSV)
The words attributed to the Laodiceans obviously mark an ironic over-confidence in regard to spiritual wealth. They, unlike the Christ who knows, are unable to recognise their bankruptcy. However the image may also be drawing on the perceived worldly wealth of the city.
The reference to eye medication is again often thought to reflect the historical situation of Laodicea. According to Strabo (12.8.20) there was a medical school in the city, where a famous ophthalmologist practiced. The city also lies within the boundaries of ancient Phrygia, from where an ingredient of eye-lotions, the so-called 'Phrygian powder', was supposed to have originated.
[edit] 'Behold, I stand' (3:20)
- Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. (NRSV)
This is among the most famous images of the Revelation, and is the subject of the famous painting The Light of the World by Holman Hunt. It bears similarities to a saying of Jesus in Mark 13:33-37, and Luke 12:35-38.
Commentators variously view it as a metaphor of intimate fellowship, and/or a reference to the eschatological parousia of Christ. It is noted that the theme of divine invitations to eat, are found both in the New Testament (e.g. the parable of the 'Great banquet') and in Graeco-Roman religion. Various papyri, such as POxy 3693, include invitations to attend a dinner with gods such as Sarapis, however these are issued by specified individuals to feasts at a temple of a god - and do not suggest the visitation of the home by the divinity.
[edit] Later references to the Laodicean Church
It was the venue for the Council of Laodicea in AD 363-64.
[edit] Sources
- Aune, David Revelation Word Biblical Commentary, Dallas Texas, 1997
- Barclay, William Letters to the Seven Churches Edinburgh 1957 (reprinted 2001)
