Colossians 4:15

Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.

'NYMPHAS' -3564. Numphas noom-fas'; probably contracted for. compound of 3565 and 1435; nymph-given (i.e. -born); Nymphas,. Christian: -Nymphas.

-(NIM fuhs). There is some disagreement among writers as to whether this name refers to. man or. woman. The manuscripts vary between Nympha (feminine) and Nymphas (masculine), and also between 'in her house' and 'in his house' and some even have, 'in their house'.

'THE CHURCH THAT IS IN THEIR HOUSE' -

Point to Note:

Currently, the most popular interpretation of the above expression is that the local congregation or. segment of the Christians in Laodicea assembled and worshipped in the home belonging to this Christian. One common assumption for this view is that no buildings existed which were large enough to accommodate every member of. local congregation in the First Century. Unfortunately, this isn't true. The Church in Jerusalem (3000 plus) met regularly in the temple complex (Acts 2:46; Acts 5:12). In addition, if this were true, then where did all the other religious and secular organizations of the day hold their meetings?

One of the oldest views, the one held by many of those who lived after the days of the apostles, is that the expression 'church that is in their house', refers to the family members who were Christians.

In this verse, that interpretation seems to fit better. For if we take the first interpretation (the church meets in their house), we are saying that two congregations existed in Laodicea-i.e. the first one being 'the brethren who are in Laodicea', the second one being 'the church that is in her house'. It makes more sense to me, to have Paul saying here, 'Greet all the Christians in Laodicea, including Nymphas and the 'church' (the called out) which are members of her or his family.'

One needs to be very careful when dealing with the "house-church" concept. The Discipleship Movement has argued that each New Testament church was broken down into "house-churches", i.e. many groups of Christians meeting, worshipping and serving God in the same city, under. common eldership. Many denominational writers see the same thing. Unfortunately, such an arrangement: (1) Violates Scripture (1 Peter 5:1). (2) Is nothing more than the Catholic concept of. diocese. (3) And opens the door for further error. For it, one eldership can oversee. number of "mini" congregations, why can't they oversee. number of big congregations. And if that is alright, why can't they oversee every congregation?