It Starts Small

Laodicea was located about forty miles southeast of Philadelphia and one hundred miles east of Ephesus. It was founded by Antiochus II between 261 and 246 BC, and was named in honor of his wife, Laodice, who afterward poisoned him. This is the Antiochus who formed the marriage league with Ptolemy Philadelphus, king of Egypt, in fulfillment of Daniel 11:6.

The city was was mostly populated with Syrians and Jews transported from Babylon. Laodicea was located on the Lyeus River, and was distinguished from no less than six other cities by the same name by being designated Laodicea on the Lyeus. It was located at the junction of the two post roads from Ephesus and Pergamos running eastward into Syria. The highway entered on the west through the Ephesian Gate and left the city on the east through the Syrian Gate. East of the city was a pass through the mountains called The Gate of Phrygia, of which Laodicea was the gatekeeper.

The heart of Laodicea was located in the midst of a rich farming country and was famed for its wealth. Laodicea was known for it’s extensive banking operations. Cicero proposed to cash his treasury bills of exchange in Laodicea because of these facilities. The city had large markets controlled mostly by the Jews, of whom there were 7,500 besides women and children at the time the epistle was written.

The citizens were wealthy and when the city was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60, they refused the help offered by the imperial Roman government and rebuilt at their own expense. This example of self-sufficiency was so rare that it made the city famous, because of their situation, Christ’s statement regarding the pride of spiritual wealth on the part of the church members is full of meaning. He spoke to the rich merchants and bankers of this wealthy mercantile city in their own dialect.

The city was also noted for the black cloth manufactured there from wool produced in the valley. The sheep bread are known today as awassi. They were all black with white heads. The wool was glossy black and of a soft texture almost like silk and became famous throughout the whole region. Black garments were almost universally worn by the Laodiceans. Christ advised the believers of the city to buy of Him “white raiment,” which represented the beautiful robe of His own righteousness. The people of Laodicea were familiar with the white toga worn by Roman citizens and officials. To be privileged to wear this white garment was esteemed a high honor. To the Romans it was symbolic of victory, and to the believers it represented purity of character through the imputed and imparted righteousness of Christ.

The temple of Karu stood in this city. In connection with the Temple of Karu was a renowned school of medicine. This temple was one of two hundred throughout the Greek and Roman world dedicated to Aeseulapius. This was the Greek god of medicine and the pagan counterfeit of the Messiah. He was known as “The Great Physician.” In this temple was made the famous Plixygian eye salve, called collyrium, which was sold in all parts of the then-known world. Collyrium was an antique term for a lotion or liquid wash used as a cleanser for the eyes. This gives forceful meaning to the counsel of the Jesus, the Great Physician, who advised the spiritually blind Laodiceans to buy eye salve of Him that they might have spiritual vision.

Near the city were many pools. They ranged from hot, cold, and lukewarm springs. Most of these waters contained minerals with supposed healing properties. Many of the sick people journeyed to Laodicea to be physically benefited by the eye salve, the mineral water, and the hot and lukewarm baths. Although the water was pleasing to the body for bathing, most of it was nauseous to those who drank. This makes very appropriate the language used by Christ in this epistle. He declared that because the Christians of Laodicea were lukewarm in their affections, He was about to spew, or vomit, them out of His mouth.

The town was full of pure arrogance. The citizens wanted the world to know that their mercantile city at the meeting place of three important highways was no pauper. The inhabitants were noted for their skill in manufacturing and dyeing garments, rich in color and exquisite in texture. In extravagant fashions and fine apparel the city was the Paris of its time.

Laodicea was a famous pleasure resort for the physically strong and prosperous, and a health resort for the sick. The magnificent stadium, which took twelve years to build, had an arena nine hundred feet in length, in whose basin a modern ocean liner could easily anchor. There were at least two or three theaters and one of them had seats of polished marble with bases carved in the form of a lion’s feet. Its gymnasium was a work of art, containing chambers and porticoes and baths. There was also a library with reading rooms. The city had a remarkable water system in which pure water was brought from the hills through a stone aqueduct, the ruins of which are still visible.

At the time of this epistle the Lyeus valley was a beautiful spot. The crooked Lyeus River flowed through Colosse and past Laodicea and Hierapolis before joining the Maeander. Near Colosse the Lyeus disappeared and flowed underground for more than half a mile, a phenomenon that attracted much attention. Its tributary streams left deposits of minerals along their courses, and these remarkable formations added much to the beauty and fame of the valley.

The church in Laodicea was established by some of Paul’s fellow laborers during his three years’ stay in Ephesus.

his went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:10

For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.

Colossians 2:1

Paul did send the Laodiceans a letter, and asked that it be read also to the Colossian church, which was near by. He also gave instructions that his letter to the Colossians be read to the Christians in Laodicea. 

For I testify about him that he works hard for you, for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas send you greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home. ¹⁶ After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Colossians 4:13-16

The local church is no more, and not even one Christian is to be found in the vicinity. The city has long been deserted, and most of the stones have been removed to build near-by villages. The ruins of the stadium and two theaters are still visible, as is also the stone aqueduct that furnished the city with an abundant supply of fresh water.