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.
JFB.
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