SEVEN CHURCHES your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
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3:18 The Lord “counsels” (sumbouleuo, present active, “I am continually or habitually advising…”) the Laodiceans to do three things: (1) to “buy from Me [the Lord]”; (2) to buy “white garments that you may be clothed”, and (3) to “anoint your eyes with eye salve.” (1)Obviously these are metaphors that refer to heavenly consequences from earthly actions. The gold refined in the fire may be a reference to Peter’s use of the same metaphor: “Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Pet 1:7). That is, the trials of persecution make evident the genuine faith of the believer, thus the priceless riches of a true salvation becomes “rich in good works” and lays up a “treasure of a good foundation for the future” (1 Tim 6:18-19). Christ wanted them to have true riches, which is a true faith tested by trials resulting in eternal riches beyond comparison to earthly goods. (2)They were told to buy… “white garments,” which appear to be angelic (Mark 16:5) or heavenly clothing (Rev 3:4), which is described as practical righteousness in our daily lives (Rev 19:8). It is the righteousness that always accompanies genuine saving faith. (3)The anointing of the eyes refers to understanding the practical application of God’s principles. Only then can we see our lives in the light of eternity and the holiness of God rather than in comparison to each other or our own selfaggrandized view of ourselves. Proverbs 23:23 states, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom, discipline and understanding.” The NET Bible gives a helpful historical note with this verse: The city of Laodicea had a famous medical school and exported a powder (called a “Phrygian powder”) that was widely used as an eye salve. It was applied to the eyes in the form of a paste the consistency of dough (the Greek term for the salve here, kollourion, [Latin collyrium] is a diminutive form of the word for a long roll of bread). Christ is urging the church to “open their eyes so that they [might] turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in [Him]” (Acts 26:18).