Revelation 3:18

Buy of me. Without this much effort the Laodicean “church” cannot attain the standard Christ would have her reach. The things He offers her are not without their price, yet salvation is ever free. She must give up her old way of life to be truly rich, to be healed, and to be clothed. Even she who is penniless may buy (see Isa. 55:1).

Gold. This represents spiritual riches, offered as Christ’s remedy for the Laodiceans’ spiritual poverty. This figurative “gold” may be interpreted as referring to “faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6; James 2:5), and the works that result from faith (see 1 Tim. 6:18).

Tried in the fire. Literally, “fired out of fire,” that is, gold that has come forth from the fire with its dross burned away. Doubtless the reference here is to faith that has been tried and purified by the fires of affliction (see on James 1:2–5; cf. Job 23:10).

White raiment. Offered in contrast with the Laodiceans’ nakedness, which stood out so hideously in the face of their own boast that they had need of nothing (v. 17). The white raiment may be understood as the righteousness of Christ (Gal. 3:27; see on Matt. 22:11; Rev. 3:4). This figure must have had special significance for the Christians of Laodicea, for their city was famous for its black woolen cloth.

Shame of thy nakedness. See Ex. 20:26; Lam. 1:8; Eze. 16:36; 23:29; Nahum 3:5.

Eyesalve. Gr. kollurion, “a little roll.” Ancient eyesalve came to be known by the shape of the package in which it was wrapped. Near Laodicea was a temple to the Phrygian god, Men Karou. A famous school of medicine grew up in connection with this temple, and here an eye powder might be secured. This fact may form the background of the figure here used.

The figurative eyesalve here offered the Laodiceans is heaven’s antidote for their spiritual blindness. Its purpose is to open their eyes to their own true condition. This is the work of the Holy Spirit (see John 16:8–11). Only through His convicting work on the heart can spiritual blindness be removed. This eyesalve may also be thought of as representing that spiritual grace which enables the Christian to distinguish between truth and error, and between right and wrong.

Mayest see. That is, see sin as God sees it and realize their own real condition—as a prerequisite to repentance.