Laodicea

The city of this name mentioned in Scripture lay on the confines of Phrygia and Lydia, about 40 miles east of Ephesus (Rev. 3:14), on the banks of the Lycus. It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards Laodicea, from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II, king of Syria, who rebuilt it.

It was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor. At a very early period it became one of the chief seats of Christianity (Col. 2:1; 4:15; Rev. 1:11, etc.).

Author: Matthew G. Easton, with minor editing by Paul S. Taylor.

See the Christian archaeological video which describes this city and the cultural context surrounding the early Church: On the Early Church (“Hot or Cold,” part of the Faith Lessons video series). “Laodiceans had a unique understanding of why lukewarm water was worthless. Today, we are to be like a hot bath or a cold drink to a world in need of cleansing and refreshment.”