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G2854 · Greek · New Testament
κολλύριον
kollyrion
Noun, neuter
eye salve, healing ointment for the eyes

Definition

Kollyrion (κολλύριον) refers to eye salve — medicinal ointment applied to the eyes to improve vision. It appears only in Revelation 3:18, where Christ addresses the lukewarm church at Laodicea: 'Buy from me gold refined in the fire... and salve [kollyrion] to put on your eyes, so you can see.' Laodicea was famous for its actual eye medicine, making the metaphor pointed and local.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Laodicean church thought it was rich and had need of nothing — but Christ diagnosed them as 'blind.' The prescription is kollyrion — spiritual eye salve from Christ Himself. The same Laodicea that sold physical eye medicine to the ancient world needed to admit its spiritual blindness and seek the true cure. This is one of Scripture's most effective uses of local imagery to drive home a spiritual point: your famous medicine cannot fix the blindness of self-sufficiency.

Key Bible Verses

Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve [kollyrion] to put on your eyes, so you can see.
John 9:6 He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.
Isaiah 42:7 To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel.
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.

Word Study

Laodicea lay in the Lycus valley near Hierapolis, whose spring waters were lukewarm when they reached Laodicea — neither hot (healing) nor cold (refreshing). The city was also known for Phrygian powder, a famous eye medicine. Christ uses BOTH local realities: 'You are lukewarm like your water, and you are blind despite your eye medicine.' The cure for Laodicean blindness is not their own medicine but Christ's — the kollyrion of repentance and relationship.

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