κολλούριον (kollourion)
kollourion
eye salve
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kollourion refers to a small bread roll or cake, derived from the root word for a coarse loaf. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Revelation 3:18, where Jesus advises the church in Laodicea to buy "eye salve" (kollouria) so they might see clearly.
While the base word describes food, this specific usage points to a medicinal paste. Ancient eye salves were often shaped like small rolls or cakes made from ground spices and oils. The image suggests a remedy for physical irritation, which Jesus uses metaphorically to address their spiritual blindness and pride.
This single occurrence highlights the vivid, everyday imagery Jesus employed. He did not speak in abstract theological terms but used a common household item—a medicinal cake—to diagnose their condition. The contrast between their claim of wealth and their need for healing underscores the passage’s central warning against self-sufficiency.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for eye salve in Revelation 3:18 points to a common remedy used in ancient times. Jesus uses this everyday item to address the spiritual condition of the Laodicean church. They felt self-sufficient, yet they were blind to their true need for healing.
This image reminds us that spiritual sight requires a specific cure. We cannot manufacture the clarity we need through our own efforts or wealth. Instead, we look to Christ as the source of genuine insight and restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eye-salve1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κολλούριον1×
Key Verses
-
Revelation of John 3:18
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
Jesus prescribes this specific medicinal paste as the cure for spiritual blindness caused by pride.