Colossians 4:15,16

15. Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house. 16. And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye read also the epistle from Laodicea.

Translation and Paraphrase

15. (Now please) greet the brethren in Laodicea (for us), and (particularly greet) Nymphas, and the church in her house.
16. And when (this) letter has been read by you, make arrangements that it also be read in the church of the Laodiceans; and (see to it) that you read the (letter which is coming) from Laodicea,

Notes

1.

Paul encouraged acquaintance and fellowship among the local churches, such as between Colossae and Laodicea (twelve miles apart). Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea. Churches can have wonderful free fellowship and cooperation with one another without belonging to a connectional denominational system. In fact under such a system their fellowship may easily be more legalistic than real. Churches in New Testament times were free independent congregations, united and cooperating together willingly under the authority of Christ alone.

2.

Salute Nymphas (or Nympha?), and the church which is in her (his? their?) house. Nymphas was apparently the leading Christian at Laodicea, the Philemon of Laodicea, as Moule calls him. Compare Philemon 1:1-2.

3.

There has been much dispute as to whether the name of this person was Nymphas or Nympha. (The Greek form Numphan, an accusative sing., may stand for either spelling.) Also there is uncertainty as to whether the text should read her house, his house, or their house.

The 1966 Greek text of the United Bible Societies gives the reading her house, but gives manuscript evidence for the other readings in the footnotes. No certain decision about the reading here is possible at present.

4.

The church in Laodicea assembled in the house of Nymphas. For other churches meeting in houses, see Romans 16:5; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Philemon 1:2; Acts 12:2; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:40.

5.

The epistle to the Colossians was to be read publicly in Colossae. Then it was to be taken to Laodicea, where it was to be read also. The Greek text reads in such a way as to suggest that they were to do whatever was necessary to see that the Letter was read at Laodicea. Public scripture reading, when done well, is powerful beyond imagination.

6.

The Colossians were to read also a letter which was coming to them from Laodicea. We know nothing definite about this letter from Laodicea. The most common specific suggestion about it is that it was the same letter we know as Ephesians. There is some evidence that Ephesians was written to be a circulating letter, first delivered to Ephesus, and then taken about to various churches in Asia, finally to Laodicea, and thence to Colossae. This is a possibility, but it cannot be said to be proven.

Study and Review

24.

What were the Colossians to do toward the brethren in Laodicea? (Colossians 4:15)

25.

Who was Nymphas (or Nympha)? Man or woman?

26.

Where did the Laodicean church meet?

27.

Where was the epistle to the Colossians to be read? (Colossians 4:16)

28.

What other epistle were the Colossians to read? Identify this other epistle if you can.