Colossians 4:16

And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.

'THIS EPISTLE HATH BEEN READ AMONG YOU' -Which infers: (1) It was much more than. mere 'love letter', it was an authoritative document which was binding upon every Christian (1 Corinthians 14:37). (2) One writer makes. tremendous point, the very fact that Paul's letters were to be read "among you", i.e. when they were assembled, is proof that they were viewed on. par with the rest of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Peter 3:15).

'CAUSE' -'see that' (TCNT). That is, see to it, make sure that. copy is sent to the Church in Laodicea-'don't drop the ball on this matter.'

'THAT IT BE READ ALSO IN THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS' -

Points to Note:

1. The fact that Paul mentions the "church" (singular) and not the churches of the Laodiceans, seems to add additional weight to our above discussion that only one congregation existed in this city. And that the expression 'church in their house', refers to family members who were Christians.

2. Now. tremendous amount of truth can be inferred from the fact, that even though this letter wasn't specifically addressed to the church at Laodicea, it still applied equally to them: (a) This is "our mail" too. These letters are binding upon all Christians and all men (Galatians 5:19), regardless of geographical location, time and culture. (b) Truth for one congregation was truth for all (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:17). (c) God doesn't lead each congregation into its own interpretation of the truth. Every congregation has the same purpose, is to teach the same truth and is to be regulated by the same standard. (d) God isn't bound to "update" the truth for each generation. For God's truth is eternal.

'AND THAT YE ALSO READ THE EPISTLE FROM LAODICEA' -'my letter that is coming from Laodicea' (NASV).

Points to Note:

1. This statement has generated quite. bit of discussion. The first question that is usually asked or investigated, 'Is Paul here referring to. letter known as, 'The Epistle To the Laodiceans' which is now lost?

2. When. look at the language of this verse and the context in which it is found,. must conclude that Paul isn't referring to. letter that was specifically addressed to the Church at Laodicea: (a) Why greet Nymphas and the brethren at Laodicea (Colossians 4:15), if Paul has already sent them their own letter? (b) The text doesn't say that it was. letter addressed primarily to the Laodiceans, rather, it was. letter "from Laodicea". (c) It seems to me that the best guess, is that this letter was the Ephesian letter, which would be dropped off at Ephesus before Tychicus headed 100 miles inland to Colossae (Ephesians 6:21), then circulated among the churches in Asia Minor. (d) Since Paul knew about this letter and puts it on. par with the letter to the Colossians (i.e. to be read by the church),. must conclude that the letter under consideration wasn't. letter from the Laodiceans to Paul (a view advocated by some writers), but that it was an inspired letter, i.e. Scripture.

Hendriksen notes, 'Why should he place these two on. par:. letter written by himself to the Colossians, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and an uninspired communication supposedly sent to him by the Laodiceans?' (p. 195)