Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. New Living Translation You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. English Standard Version For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Berean Standard Bible You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Berean Literal Bible For you say, 'I am rich, and I have grown rich, and I have need of nothing.' And you do not realize that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. King James Bible Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: New King James Version Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— New American Standard Bible Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, NASB 1995 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, NASB 1977 ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, Legacy Standard Bible Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked. Amplified Bible Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], Christian Standard Bible For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Holman Christian Standard Bible Because you say, I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’ and you don’t know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, American Standard Version Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: Contemporary English Version You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don't know how bad off you really are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. English Revised Version Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: GOD'S WORD® Translation You say, 'I'm rich. I'm wealthy. I don't need anything.' Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Good News Translation You say, 'I am rich and well off; I have all I need.' But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. International Standard Version You say, "I am rich. I have become wealthy. I don't need anything." Yet you don't realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Majority Standard Bible You say, ?I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.? But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. NET Bible Because you say, "I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing," but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, New Heart English Bible Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; Webster's Bible Translation Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Weymouth New Testament You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind, naked. World English Bible Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbecause you say—I am rich, and have grown rich, and have need of nothing, and have not known that you are the wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; Berean Literal Bible For you say, 'I am rich, and I have grown rich, and I have need of nothing.' And you do not realize that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Young's Literal Translation because thou sayest -- I am rich, and have grown rich, and have need of nothing, and hast not known that thou art the wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked, Smith's Literal Translation For thou sayest, That I am rich, and have abounded, and have need of nothing; and thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBecause thou sayest: I am rich, and made wealthy, and have need of nothing: and knowest not, that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Catholic Public Domain Version For you declare, ‘I am wealthy, and I have been enriched further, and I have need of nothing.’ And you do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. New American Bible For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause you say, I am rich and my wealth has increased, and I need nothing; and you do not know that you are miserable, and a wanderer, and poor, and blind, and naked: Aramaic Bible in Plain English “Because you said that you are rich, and, 'I have prospered, and I lack nothing', and you do not know that you are sick and wretched and poor and naked,” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBecause you say I am rich, and abound in wealth, and have need of nothing, and know not that you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked, Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament because thou sayest, I am rich, and wallow in wealth, and have no want unsupplied; yet thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Mace New Testament you say you are rich, and have increased your gain, and have need of nothing; but you do not consider that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Weymouth New Testament You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind, naked. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context To the Church in Laodicea…16So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.… Cross References Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Luke 18:11-14 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ / But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ ... James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? 1 Corinthians 4:8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you! Hosea 12:8 And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.” Proverbs 13:7 One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Isaiah 55:1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth. Ezekiel 28:2-5 “Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ... Matthew 19:21-24 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. / Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ... Luke 12:16-21 Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ... 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. Isaiah 44:20 He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” Treasury of Scripture Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I am. Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. Hosea 12:8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. have need. Deuteronomy 8:12-14 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; … Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Jeremiah 2:31 O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee? knowest. Romans 2:17-23 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, … wretched. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? blind. Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? John 9:40,41 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? … 2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. naked. Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Genesis 3:7,10,11 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons… Jump to Previous Acquired Blind Clothing Condition Conscious Creature Goods Gotten Increased Miserable Naked Need Poor Prospered Realize Rich Riches Sad Stand Stored Together Unhappy Wealth Wealthy WretchedJump to Next Acquired Blind Clothing Condition Conscious Creature Goods Gotten Increased Miserable Naked Need Poor Prospered Realize Rich Riches Sad Stand Stored Together Unhappy Wealth Wealthy WretchedRevelation 3 1. The angel of the church of Sardis is reproved and exhorted to repent.37. The angel of the church of Philadelphia is approved for his diligence and patience; 14. the angel of Laodicea rebuked for being neither hot nor cold. 20. Christ stands at the door and knocks. You say This phrase introduces the self-perception of the Laodicean church. In the Greek, "λέγεις" (legeis) implies a declaration or assertion. It reflects a self-assured attitude, suggesting that the church is vocal about its perceived status. Historically, Laodicea was a wealthy city, known for banking, textiles, and medicine, which may have contributed to this self-assessment. Spiritually, it warns against self-deception and the danger of relying on material wealth over spiritual richness. I am rich I have grown wealthy and need nothing But you do not realize that you are wretched pitiful poor blind and naked Persons / Places / Events 1. LaodiceaA wealthy city in Asia Minor known for its banking, textile, and medical industries. The church in Laodicea is the recipient of this message. 2. John the Apostle The author of Revelation, who received visions from Jesus Christ while exiled on the island of Patmos. 3. Jesus Christ The speaker in this passage, addressing the spiritual condition of the Laodicean church. 4. The Laodicean Church A Christian community criticized for its spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency. 5. The Vision of Revelation A series of prophetic messages and visions given to John, addressing the state of the churches and future events. Teaching Points Spiritual Self-AwarenessRecognize the danger of spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency. True wealth is found in Christ, not in material possessions. Dependence on God Cultivate a heart that relies on God for all needs, acknowledging our spiritual poverty without Him. True Riches Seek spiritual riches through faith, good deeds, and a relationship with Christ, rather than worldly wealth. Humility and Repentance Embrace humility and be willing to repent of self-reliance, seeking God's guidance and provision. Vision Correction Pray for spiritual insight to see ourselves as God sees us, avoiding the blindness of self-deception.(17) I am rich.--The verse means, more literally, Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have grown rich, and in nothing have need, and knowest not that thou art the wretched (such is the emphasis) one, and the pitiable one, and beggarly, and blind, and naked. Thou art "the type, the embodiment of wretchedness." The words should, I think, be taken as an amplification of the reason for their rejection. Christ was about to reject them for being in that tepid state which, beginning with self-satisfaction, led on to self- deception. They were rich in worldly goods (unlike the Church in Smyrna), but their very wealth led them into a quiet unaggressively kind of religion; they were proud also of their intellectual wealth; self- complacent because in comfortable worldly circumstances, and became puffed up with a vain philosophy, they learned to be satisfied with their spiritual state, and to believe the best of themselves, and then to believe in themselves. Hypocrites they were, who did not know they were hypocrites. They thought themselves good; and this self-deception was their danger. "For," to use Prof. Mozley's words, "why should a man repent of his goodness? He may well repent, indeed, of his falsehood; but unhappily the falsehood of it is just the thing he does not see, and which he cannot see by the very law of his character. The Pharisee did not know he was a Pharisee. If he had known it, he would not have been a Pharisee. The victim of passion, then, may be converted--the gay, the thoughtless, or the ambitious; he whom human glory has intoxicated; he whom the show of life has ensnared; he whom the pleasures of sense have captivated--they may be converted any one of these; but who is to convert the hypocrite? He does not know he is a hypocrite; he cannot upon the very basis of his character; he must think himself sincere; and the more he is in the shackles of his own character, i.e., the greater hypocrite he is, the more sincere he must think himself" (University Sermons, p. 34).Verse 17. - Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing. The Epistle is still addressed indirectly to the Laodicean Church, directly to the angel. No doubt spiritual riches are immediately referred to; but spiritual pride and lukewarmness are frequently produced by worldly prosperity, such as that which Archippus (if he be the angel addressed; see on ver. 14) and the Church over which he presided enjoyed. It is not enough for the wealthy Christian to contribute a portion of his wealth, and then to consider his task done and his reward sure. Greater zeal than this is requisite before he can deem his duty discharged. Moreover, the greater the zeal that exists, the less will be the inclination to rely upon what has been accomplished, or to think it sufficient; for when all has been done we are still to call ourselves unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10; cf. Hosea 12:8, "I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin"). And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; and knowest not that thou, even thou thyself, art the wretched one. The self-satisfied spiritual pride of the Pharisee caused him to regard with complacent pity the condition of the publican. But he was mistaken; he himself was the wretched one, who was to be pitied. So with the Laodicean Church. How different the conduct of St. Paul, who recognized his own wretchedness (Romans 7:24, where the same word ταλαίπωρος is used)! The following words are adjectives. These Christians, in their spiritual pride, were miserable - deserving of pity; poor in the wealth accumulated by zeal in God's service; blind as to their real condition and their fancied spiritual safety; and naked of the cloak with which charity - fervent love of God - would have covered them. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek You say,λέγεις (legeis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘I am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. rich; Πλούσιός (Plousios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4145: Rich, abounding in, wealthy; subst: a rich man. From ploutos; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with. I have grown wealthy πεπλούτηκα (peploutēka) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 4147: To become rich, be rich, abound in. From ploutizo; to be wealthy. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. need χρείαν (chreian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution. nothing.’ οὐδὲν (ouden) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing. [But] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. you do not realize οἶδας (oidas) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. you σὺ (sy) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. are εἶ (ei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. wretched, ταλαίπωρος (talaipōros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5005: Wretched, afflicted, miserable. From the base of talanton and a derivative of the base of peira; enduring trial, i.e. Miserable. pitiful, ἐλεεινὸς (eleeinos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1652: Merciful, pitiful, miserable. From eleos; pitiable. poor, πτωχὸς (ptōchos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4434: Poor, destitute, spiritually poor, either in a good sense (humble devout persons) or bad. blind, τυφλὸς (typhlos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5185: Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. naked. γυμνός (gymnos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1131: Rarely: stark-naked; generally: wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest; mere. Of uncertain affinity; nude. Links Revelation 3:17 NIVRevelation 3:17 NLT Revelation 3:17 ESV Revelation 3:17 NASB Revelation 3:17 KJV Revelation 3:17 BibleApps.com Revelation 3:17 Biblia Paralela Revelation 3:17 Chinese Bible Revelation 3:17 French Bible Revelation 3:17 Catholic Bible NT Prophecy: Revelation 3:17 Because you say 'I am rich (Rev. Re Apocalypse) |
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