Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Study Note
Study Note
Christ's counsel to the Laodicean church — 'I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see' — directly inverts the city's celebrated products: gold banking, dark wool, and eye salve. The theological irony is sharp: the city that prided itself on material sufficiency ('I need nothing,' verse 17) is addressed by Christ who offers the genuine version of everything the city falsely claimed to supply. The three items — refined gold (true wealth), white garments (righteousness), eye salve (spiritual perception) — correspond to the three lacks implied by 'wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked' (verse 17). The letter demonstrates Revelation's pervasive use of local historical context as a vehicle for universal spiritual address.
Other Translations
I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
I counsel thee to buy from me gold fired by fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white garments that thou mayest be arrayed, and the shame of thy nakedness may not be manifest, and with eye-salve anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
If you are wise you will get from me gold tested by fire, so that you may have true wealth; and white robes to put on, so that your shame may not be seen; and oil for your eyes, so that you may see.
Cross References
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine …
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet …