Chliaros means lukewarm or tepid, neither hot nor cold. The risen Christ uses it in his devastating critique of the Laodicean church: 'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.' The temperature metaphor conveys spiritual complacency and ineffectiveness. Hot water is useful for cleansing and therapeutic purposes; cold water refreshes; but lukewarm water is unpleasant and useless. The church's tepid commitment provokes revulsion rather than approval.