3:17a

The Greek begins with a conjunction that means “because.” It indicates that 3:17a states another reason for Jesus being ready to spit the believers in Laodicea out of his mouth (3:16b). For example:

For (Revised Standard Version)

The Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions allow the context to imply the connection and do not translate the Greek conjunction here. Introduce the reason clause in 3:17a in the way that is natural in your language.

You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy…’: As in all the letters to the churches (2:1–3:22), Jesus spoke here to the angel of the church. The angel represented the believers of the church.

In some languages it is more natural to address the believers directly. If that is true in your language, use plural pronouns here. For example:

You(plur) say, ‘We(incl.) are rich; we have acquired wealth…’

You say: Here the believers were probably saying these things to themselves. For example:

You say to yourself (New Jerusalem Bible)

I am rich; I have grown wealthy: In the Greek, the first clause uses the noun “rich” and the second clause uses the verb “become rich.” Together, the two clauses emphasize that the Laodiceans were very rich. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

I am rich and have acquired great wealth (NET Bible)
-or-
I am rich, I have made a fortune (New Jerusalem Bible)

need nothing: The believers in Laodicea felt like they lacked nothing that they needed for daily living. They had everything. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

do not need a thing (New International Version)
-or-
have all I need (Good News Translation)

3:17b–18e

These sentences use physical conditions symbolically to describe spiritual conditions. The English versions translate the sentences literally rather than explaining what the symbols mean. See the translation advice in the notes and the General Comment at 3:18e.

3:17b

you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked: These words figuratively describe the spiritual condition of the believers in Laodicea. They were like wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked people because they were not trusting and obeying God.

In some languages it is necessary to indicate that Jesus was speaking symbolically. For example:

⌊spiritually⌋ you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked
-or-
your ⌊faith is lacking like someone who is⌋ wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked
-or-
you ⌊believe so little that you are like someone⌋ wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked

wretched: This word refers to being in an awful and undesirable condition. The Good News Translation translates it as:

miserable

pitiful: This word refers to someone whom others feel sorry for because of all of his difficulties and troubles. Here the word indicates that others should feel sorry for the believers in Laodicea because of these problems in their faith. Other ways to translate this word are:

pitiable (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
pathetic

poor: This word refers to someone who lacks money and other material things. Spiritually, it describes someone who does not possess God’s spiritual blessings and riches. The believers in Laodicea had a lot of money and possessions, but they were “poor” in their faith.

blind: Someone who is physically blind is unable to see physical things. Someone who is spiritually blind is unable to understand spiritual things.

naked: This word refers to someone who is not wearing any clothes at all. Spiritually, it describes someone who does not use the qualities that God gives to believers to do his work.

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