Revelation 3:15-16 Zesty hot and frigid cold

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [kjv]

πολλοι γαρ εισιν κλητοι ολιγοι δε εκλεκτοι [gnt]

There is an old line, in or about denominational churches, that goes as follows.

Instead of "many are called, but few are chosen",
the line is "many are cold, a few are frozen".

The line brings to mind the reference to cold and hot in the letter of Jesus to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation.

More: Election callings

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [kjv]

οιδα σου τα εργα οτι ουτε ψυχρος ει ουτε ζεστος οφελον ψυχρος ης η ζεστος [gnt]

… frigidus … calidus … frigidus … calidus [v]

3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [kjv]

ουτως οτι χλιαρος ει και ουτε ζεστος ουτε ψυχρος μελλω σε εμεσαι εκ του στοματος μου [gnt]

Jesus would prefer that the church be either "hot" or "cold" rather than "lukewarm" (neither "hot" nor "cold", shown as "?"). In this case, both "hot" and "cold" are good (e.g., refreshing).
The ancient Greek word "ζεστός" ≈ "seethed, boiled, hot" and is the source of the English word "zesty".

The ancient Greek word "ψυχρός" ≈ "cold, frigid, cold-hearted, lifeless, ineffectual"

Is there a pattern to how "hot" and "cold" are used in the Bible as far as being "good", "bad", etc.?

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [kjv]

… werkis… cold… hoot… could… hoot… [wy]

… workes … colde … hot… colde … hotte. [ty]

… Werke… kalt … warm … kalt … warm … [lu]

Note the variations of "cold" and "hot" in the Wycliffe and Tyndale versions.

Wycliffe: cold, hoot, could, hoot
Tyndale: colde, hot, hotte

Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [kjv]

… frigidus … calidus … frigidus … calidus [v]

3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [kjv]

… tepidus … frigidus … calidus … [v]

The Latin word "fridigus" ≈ "cold" and is the source of the English word "frigid".

The Latin word "calidus" ≈ "warm, hot".

The Latin word "tepidus" ≈ "lukewarm, tepid" and is the source of the English word "tepid".

The modern Greek word "ζεστός" (zeh-STOS) ≈ "hot".

The "hot springs" in Hierapolis (to the north of Laodicea) are alluded to by Jesus in Revelation 3.
Colossae, to the south, had cold springs, from which an aqueduct brought cold water to Laodicea that was then somewhat lukewarm.

"Hot" is good (coffee, cocoa, etc.).
"Cold" is good (coffee, cocoa, etc.).
Lukewarm is tepid and not good.

The ancient Greek city "Κολοσσαί" ≈ "Colossae" was in Phrygia in Asia Minor in what is now Turkey. A letter from Paul was written to this city - notable for its angel cult - which Paul mentions.

From Colossae:

Laodicea was about 12 miles.
Ephesus was about 120 miles.

More: City: Colossae

Revelation 3:15

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KJV: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Greek: οιδα σου τα εργα οτι ουτε ψυχρος ει ουτε ζεστος οφελον ψυχροςειης ης η ζεστος

Latin: scio opera tua quia neque frigidus es neque calidus utinam frigidus esses aut calidus

Wycliffe: I woot thi werkis, for nether thou art cold, nether thou art hoot; Y wolde that thou were could, ethir hoot;

Tyndale: I knowe thy workes yt thou arte nether colde nor hot: I wolde thou were colde or hotte.

Luther: Ich weiß deine Werke, daß du weder kalt noch warm bist. Ach, daß du kalt oder warm wärest!

Russian: знаю твои дела; ты ни холоден, ни горяч; о, если бы ты был холоден, или горяч!

Revelation 3:16

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KJV: So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Greek: ουτως οτι χλιαρος ει και ουτε ψυχρος ουτε ζεστος ουτε ψυχρος μελλω σε εμεσαι εκ του στοματος μου

Latin: sed quia tepidus es et nec frigidus nec calidus incipiam te evomere ex ore meo

Wycliffe: but for thou art lew, and nether cold, nether hoot, Y schal bigynne to caste thee out of my mouth.

Tyndale: So then because thou arte bitwene bothe and nether colde ner hot I will spew ye oute of my mouth:

Luther: Weil du aber lau bist und weder kalt noch warm, werde ich dich ausspeien aus meinem Munde.

Russian: Но, как ты тепл, а не горяч и не холоден, то извергну тебя из уст Моих.

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [kjv]

ουτως οτι χλιαρος ει και ουτε ζεστος ουτε ψυχρος μελλω σε εμεσαι εκ του στοματος μου [gnt]

… tepidus … frigidus … calidus … [v]

… lau … kalt … warm… Munde. [lu]

Consider what Jesus said to the Church at Laodicea as far as being "yes" or "no", as in "hot" or "cold". There are (at least) two ways to take what Jesus said.

Impose the current view that "hot" means doing what Jesus wants (as in "on fire" for the Lord) and "cold" means not doing what Jesus wants (as in a "cold shoulder"). That leaves the "lukewarm" meaning somewhat unclear.
Take both being "refreshing" (as were the cold and hot water sources at Laodicea) and "lukewarm", as not refreshing, being what is to be avoided.

*G2200 *3 ζεστός (dzes-tos') : from G2204; boiled, i.e. (by implication) calid (figuratively, fervent):--hot.

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ζεστος *3

Revelation 3:15 ... cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Revelation 3:16 ... neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee ...

*G2200 *3 ζεστός (dzes-tos') : from G2204; boiled, i.e. (by implication) calid (figuratively, fervent):--hot.

Words: ζεστος=3

The ancient Greek word "ζεστός" ≈ "seethed, boiled, hot" and is the source of the English word "zesty".

This word only appears in Revelation (3 times in 2 verses) in the GNT (Greek New Testament). The word does not appear in the LXX (Septuagint).

*G5593 *4 ψυχρός (psoo-chros') : from G5592; chilly (literally or figuratively):--cold.

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ψυχρος *3

Revelation 3:15 ... thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Revelation 3:16 ... lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will ...

ψυχρου

Matthew 10:42 ... these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name ...

*G5593 *4 ψυχρός (psoo-chros') : from G5592; chilly (literally or figuratively):--cold.

Words: ψυχρος=3 ψυχρου

The ancient Greek word "ψυχρός" ≈ "cold, frigid, cold-hearted, lifeless, ineffectual"

This word appears once in the LXX and three times in the GNT.

Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. [kjv]

ωσπερ υδωρ ψυχρον ψυχη διψωση προσηνες ουτως αγγελια αγαθη εκ γης μακροθεν [lxx]

Proverbs 25:25

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KJV: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Hebrew: מים קרים על נפש עיפה ושמועה טובה מארץ מרחק׃

Greek: ωσπερ υδωρ ψυχρον ψυχη διψωση προσηνες ουτως αγγελια αγαθη εκ γης μακροθεν

Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. [kjv]

και ος αν ποτιση ενα των μικρων τουτων ποτηριον ψυχρου μονον εις ονομα μαθητου αμην λεγω υμιν ου μη απολεση τον μισθον αυτου [gnt]

Jesus uses the idea of "little ones" to refer to believers of all ages.

The "water" is inferred in the Greek as "cold water" from "cold" and the word "drink".

What exactly does this verse mean?

What does a "cup" of "cold", perhaps water, mean?

Is giving a "little one" a "cup" of "cold", perhaps water, good or bad?

Matthew 10:42

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KJV: And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Greek: και ος εαν αν ποτιση ενα των μικρων τουτων ποτηριον ψυχρου μονον εις ονομα μαθητου αμην λεγω υμιν ου μη απολεση τον μισθον αυτου

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [kjv]

και πολλοι ψευδοπροφηται εγερθησονται και πλανησουσιν πολλους [gnt]

24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [kjv]

και δια το πληθυνθηναι την ανομιαν ψυγησεται η αγαπη των πολλων [gnt]

24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. [kjv]

ο δε υπομεινας εις τελος ουτος σωθησεται [gnt]

In Matthew 24 Jesus talks of "all of it" about the "end times" in the Olivet Discourse.

The "deceive" means "wander" as does a "planet".

The "iniquity" is that of going "against the law".

More: Planets as wandering stars

More: Against the law: out-law or in-law

Matthew 24:11

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KJV: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Greek: και πολλοι ψευδοπροφηται εγερθησονται και πλανησουσιν πολλους

Matthew 24:12

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KJV: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Greek: και δια το πληθυνθηναι την ανομιαν ψυγησεται η αγαπη των πολλων

Matthew 24:13

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KJV: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Greek: ο δε υπομεινας εις τελος ουτος σωθησεται

*G5594 *1 ψύχω (psoo'-kho) : a primary verb; to breathe (voluntarily but gently, thus differing on the one hand from G4154, which denotes properly a forcible respiration; and on the other from the base of G109, which refers properly to an inanimate breeze), i.e. (by implication, of reduction of temperature by evaporation) to chill (figuratively):--wax cold.

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ψυγησεται

Matthew 24:12 ... shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

*G5594 *1 ψύχω (psoo'-kho) : a primary verb; to breathe (voluntarily but gently, thus differing on the one hand from G4154, which denotes properly a forcible respiration; and on the other from the base of G109, which refers properly to an inanimate breeze), i.e. (by implication, of reduction of temperature by evaporation) to chill (figuratively):--wax cold.

Words: ψυγησεται

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [kjv]

και δια το πληθυνθηναι την ανομιαν ψυγησεται η αγαπη των πολλων [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ψύχω" ≈ "breathe, blow, chill, make cold, dry".

What else might happen to the "love of many"?
Is the idea of "cold" good, bad or indifferent?

An alternative form is «ψύγω». The form in the GNT appears to be only in the GNT.

*G5592 *3 ψύχος (psoo'-khos) : from G5594; coolness:--cold.

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ψυχος *2

John 18:18 ... a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and ...
Acts 28:2 ... rain, and because of the cold.

ψυχει

2 Corinthians 11:27 ... fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

*G5592 *3 ψύχος (psoo'-khos) : from G5594; coolness:--cold.

Words: ψυχει ψυχος=2

The ancient Greek word "ψῦχος" ≈ "cold". The etymology is unclear.

This word is used in three verses in the GNT and (at least) three times in the LXX.

Here are verses that use the base Greek word for "cold".

John 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. [kjv]

ιστηκεισαν δε οι δουλοι και οι υπηρεται ανθρακιαν πεποιηκοτες οτι ψυχος ην και εθερμαινοντο ην δε και ο πετρος μετ αυτων εστως και θερμαινομενος [gnt]

Acts 28:2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. [kjv]

οι τε βαρβαροι παρειχαν ου την τυχουσαν φιλανθρωπιαν ημιν αψαντες γαρ πυραν προσελαβοντο παντας ημας δια τον υετον τον εφεστωτα και δια το ψυχος [gnt]

2 Corinthians 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [kjv]

κοπω και μοχθω εν αγρυπνιαις πολλακις εν λιμω και διψει εν νηστειαις πολλακις εν ψυχει και γυμνοτητι [gnt]

More: Anthrax as the color of red hot coal

John 18:18

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KJV: And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

Greek: ειστηκεισαν ιστηκεισαν δε οι δουλοι και οι υπηρεται ανθρακιαν πεποιηκοτες οτι ψυχος ην και εθερμαινοντο ην δε μετ αυτων και ο πετρος μετ αυτων εστως και θερμαινομενος

Acts 28:2

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KJV: And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Greek: οι δε τε βαρβαροι παρειχον παρειχαν ου την τυχουσαν φιλανθρωπιαν ημιν αναψαντες αψαντες γαρ πυραν προσελαβοντο παντας ημας δια τον υετον τον εφεστωτα και δια το ψυχος

2 Corinthians 11:27

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KJV: In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Greek: εν κοπω και μοχθω εν αγρυπνιαις πολλακις εν λιμω και διψει εν νηστειαις πολλακις εν ψυχει και γυμνοτητι

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. [kjv]

πασας τας ημερας της γης σπερμα και θερισμος ψυχος και καυμα θερος και εαρ ημεραν και νυκτα ου καταπαυσουσιν [lxx]

Genesis 8:22

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KJV: While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Hebrew: עד כל ימי הארץ זרע וקציר וקר וחם וקיץ וחרף ויום ולילה לא ישבתו׃

Greek: πασας τας ημερας της γης σπερμα και θερισμος ψυχος και καυμα θερος και εαρ ημεραν και νυκτα ου καταπαυσουσιν

Job 37:9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. [kjv]

εκ ταμιειων επερχονται διναι απο δε ακρωτηριων ψυχος [lxx]

Troubles come on out of the secret chambers, and cold from the mountain-tops. [bs3]

The LXX uses the word for "secret chamber".

More: Matthew 6:6 A storehouse of secret chambers: praying in the closet

Job 37:9

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KJV: Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

Hebrew: מן החדר תבוא סופה וממזרים קרה׃

Greek: εκ ταμιειων επερχονται διναι απο δε ακρωτηριων ψυχος

Brenton: Troubles come on out of the secret chambers, and cold from the mountain-tops.

Zechariah 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: [kjv]

εν εκεινη τη ημερα ουκ εσται φως και ψυχος και παγος [lxx]

And it shall come to pass in that day that there shall be no light, [bs3]

Here the LXX does not appear to match up with the GNT.

Zechariah 14:6

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KJV: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:

Hebrew: והיה ביום ההוא לא יהיה אור יקרות יקפאון׃

Greek: εν εκεινη τη ημερα ουκ εσται φως και ψυχος και παγος