Rev 3:17 | JFB | STEP | 17. Self-sufficiency is the fatal danger of a lukewarm state (see on ). thou sayest-- virtually and mentally, if not in so many words. increased with goods-- Greek, "have become enriched," implying self-praise in self-acquired riches. The Lord alludes to . The riches on which they prided themselves were spiritual riches; though, doubtless, their spiritual self-sufficiency ("I have need of nothing") was much fostered by their worldly wealth; as, on the other hand, poverty of spirit is fostered by poverty in respect to worldly riches. knowest not that thou-- in particular above all others. The "THOU" in the Greek is emphatic. art wretched-- Greek, "art the wretched one." miserable-- So one oldest manuscripts reads. But two oldest manuscripts prefix "the." Translate, "the pitiable"; "the one especially to be pitied." How different Christ's estimate of men, from their own estimate of themselves, "I have need of nothing!" blind-- whereas Laodicea boasted of a deeper than common insight into divine things. They were not absolutely blind, else eye-salve would have been of no avail to them; but short-sighted.

‏ Revelation of John 3:17

17. Self-sufficiency is the fatal danger of a lukewarm state (see on Re 3:15).

thou sayest--virtually and mentally, if not in so many words.

increased with goods--Greek, "have become enriched," implying self-praise in self-acquired riches. The Lord alludes to Ho 12:8. The riches on which they prided themselves were spiritual riches; though, doubtless, their spiritual self-sufficiency ("I have need of nothing") was much fostered by their worldly wealth; as, on the other hand, poverty of spirit is fostered by poverty in respect to worldly riches.

knowest not that thou--in particular above all others. The "THOU" in the Greek is emphatic.

art wretched--Greek, "art the wretched one."

miserable--So one oldest manuscripts reads. But two oldest manuscripts prefix "the." Translate, "the pitiable"; "the one especially to be pitied." How different Christ's estimate of men, from their own estimate of themselves, "I have need of nothing!"

blind--whereas Laodicea boasted of a deeper than common insight into divine things. They were not absolutely blind, else eye-salve would have been of no avail to them; but short-sighted.