Colossians 4:16 · Bible study
Colossians 4:16 Commentary: Study, The Letter from Laodicea
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What is the 'letter from Laodicea'? Why did Paul command its reading? Explore the exchange of apostolic letters and their significance for the church.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul commands the Colossians to share his letter with Laodicea and to read a letter coming from there, fostering unity and mutual edification.
- Key words: anagnōsthē (aorist pass. subj., 'may be read' as a complete event); poiēsate (aorist imp., 'cause/make happen'); tēn ek Laodikeias (the letter originating from Laodicea).
- Main debate: Was the 'letter from Laodicea' a lost Pauline epistle to the Laodiceans, the circular Epistle to the Ephesians, or a letter sent to Paul from Laodicea?
- Theological theme: The public reading and circulation of apostolic letters as authoritative Scripture, and the unity of the universal church expressed through shared teaching.
- Best use: A proof-text for the early church's practice of reading Scripture aloud, and a reminder that God's Word is sufficient even if not every apostolic writing survives.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
After this letter has been read among you, make sure that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
WEB World English Bible 2000
When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
KJV King James Version 1769
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and when the epistle may be read with you, cause that also in the assembly of the Laodiceans it may be read, and the epistle from Laodicea that ye also may read;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And when the letter has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the assembly of Laodiceans, and that ye also read that from Laodicea.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And when this epistle shall have been read with you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans: and that you read that which is of the Laodiceans.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y cuando esta carta fuere leída entre vosotros, haced que también sea leída en la iglesia de los Laodicenses; y la de Laodicea que la leáis también vosotros.
E depois que esta carta for lida entre vós, fazei que ela também seja lida na igreja dos laodicenses, e que vós leiais também a de Laodiceia.
Lorsque cette lettre aura été lue chez vous, faites en sorte qu’ elle soit aussi lue dans l’ Église des Laodicéens, et que vous lisiez à votre tour celle qui vous arrivera de Laodicée.
Und wenn der Brief bei euch gelesen ist, so schafft, daß er auch in der Gemeinde zu Laodizea gelesen werde und daß ihr den von Laodizea lest.
En wanneer deze zendbrief van u zal gelezen zijn, maakt, dat hij ook in de gemeente der Laodicensen gelezen worde, en dat ook gij dien leest, die uit Laodicea geschreven is.
E quando questa epistola sarà stata letta fra voi, fate che sia letta anche nella chiesa dei Laodicesi, e che anche voi leggiate quella che vi sarà mandata da Laodicea.
A gdy ten list u was przeczytany będzie, sprawcie to, aby też był w Laodyceńskim zborze przeczytany; a ten, który jest pisany z Laodycei i wy też przeczytajcie.
Когда это послание прочитано будет у вас, то распорядитесь, чтобы оно было прочитано и в Лаодикийской церкви; а то, которое из Лаодикии, прочитайте и вы.
你們 念了 這書信，便交給 老底嘉 的教會，叫 他們也 念； 你們 也要 念 從老底嘉 來的書信。
And when this letter has been made public among you, let the same be done in the church of Laodicea; and see that you have the letter from Laodicea.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Colossians 4:16
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul's instruction highlights the public reading of apostolic letters in church assemblies and their circulation among neighboring congregations. The Cambridge Bible notes a parallel charge in 1 Thessalonians 5:27, where Paul solemnly commands the reading of his letter to all the holy brothers. The purpose, as Barnes and Gill observe, was to share warnings against the same false teachers threatening both Colosse and Laodicea. The identity of the letter from Laodicea is debated. Calvin and Wesley think it was a letter sent to Paul from Laodicea, which he forwarded. Others, like Gill and JFB, hold it was a letter Paul wrote to the Laodiceans, possibly a lost epistle or the same as Ephesians (a circular letter). Clarke documents the existence of a later forgery, widely rejected. The core consensus: Paul intended mutual edification through the exchange of inspired writings.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Lost Pauline letter to Laodicea: The phrase 'the letter from Laodicea' parallels 'this epistle' (Colossians); Paul likely wrote a similar letter to Laodicea, now lost. Many early commentators (e.g., Gill, JFB) considered this plausible.
- Epistle to the Ephesians (circular letter): Some identify the Laodicean letter with Ephesians, noting that early copies of Ephesians omit 'in Ephesus' (1:1) and that Marcion called it the Laodicean letter. Clarke and JFB mention this view.
- Letter from Laodicea to Paul: Calvin and Wesley argue Paul forwarded a letter he received from the Laodicean church (perhaps from Epaphras or others), which the Colossians would benefit from reading. Preposition 'ek' (from) supports origin.
What is clear: Regardless of its identity, Paul commanded the exchange of apostolic writings for mutual edification, showing that his letters were treated as authoritative Scripture from the start.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of 'the letter from Laodicea' | It was an apostolic letter that Paul considered authoritative and profitable for the Colossians to read publicly in church. | Some (Calvin, Wesley) believe it was a letter sent to Paul from the Laodicean church; others (Gill, JFB) hold it was a letter Paul wrote to the Laodiceans. The latter group divides further: some think it is the Epistle to the Ephesians (circulated), others a now-lost letter. |
| Practice of public reading of apostolic letters | Paul commands public reading in the assembly, consistent with 1 Thessalonians 5:27 and the tradition of reading Scripture in synagogues. | No significant disagreement: all traditions affirm this practice as normative for the early church and foundational for canon formation. |
| The forged Epistle to the Laodiceans | A Latin forgery exists, made from snippets of Philippians and other epistles, rejected by Jerome and later church councils. | Some ancient manuscripts included it, but Orthodox tradition universally rejected it as spurious. No major tradition defends its canonicity. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Colosse and Laodicea were neighboring cities in the Lycus Valley of Phrygia (modern Turkey), about ten miles apart. Both faced similar pressures from local philosophy and false teaching, as Paul's warnings in Colossians 2 indicate. Laodicea was a wealthy commercial center, later known for its lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:14, 22).
Early Christian gatherings met in homes (see 4:15, Nymphas's house church). Letters from apostles were read aloud, as most people were illiterate. This public reading gave the letters authority comparable to Old Testament Scripture (Deuteronomy 31:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; Revelation 1:3). Paul's command that the Colossians cause it to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans uses the aorist imperative poiēsate, a strong, active charge: 'make it happen.' The verb anagnōsthē (aorist passive subjunctive) suggests a completed reading event.
The phrase the letter from Laodicea (Greek: tēn ek Laodikeias) uses the preposition ek (out from). This indicates origin: the letter that comes from Laodicea. Whether Paul wrote it, or it was sent to him, is the crux. Historical context shows that apostolic letters were treasured and shared across churches as authoritative teaching, establishing a network of mutual care.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and lexical sources note no significant textual variants for Colossians 4:16. The phrase 'from Laodicea' (ἐκ Λαοδικείας) is stable across major manuscripts. The forged Epistle to the Laodiceans is a later composition not present in early Greek witnesses.
Reception History
Early church fathers such as Jerome and Theodoret mention the existence of a letter claiming to be Paul's to the Laodiceans, but Jerome dismisses it as apocryphal. The seventh Ecumenical Council (787) stated that the ancients allowed it was known but that all orthodox rejected it. In the medieval West, some Latin manuscripts of the Vulgate included the forged epistle, and it occasionally appeared in early printed Bibles (e.g., some German editions). The command to read letters publicly influenced the church's practice of lectionary reading and the formation of the New Testament canon, as apostolic writings were treated as authoritative from the start.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Public reading grounds apostolic authority. Paul commands his letter to be read in the assembly, a formal act that sets it apart from private correspondence. This practice shaped the early church's understanding of Scripture.
- Exchange builds unity across churches. Colosse and Laodicea were close but distinct congregations. Paul insists they share letters, modeling interdependence against isolation.
- Lost letters remind us of God's sufficient provision. The unknown identity of the Laodicean letter teaches humility: we don't have every word Paul wrote, but what we have is enough for faith and life.
Five-point outline
- Command to read: Not optional; the aorist imperative poiēsate implies urgent action.
- Read in the Laodicean church: Why? They faced the same errors, and the letter's counsel applied to them.
- Read the letter from Laodicea: Reciprocity in ministry; both churches benefit from each other's apostolic deposit.
- Who wrote the Laodicean letter? Most likely Paul, possibly the same as Ephesians or a lost letter. Either way, it carried apostolic weight.
- Forgery caution: A later spurious epistle exists; the early church (Jerome, Ecumenical Council) rejected it. Discernment matters.
Illustration hooks
- Church library swap: Two congregations agree to exchange sermon series recordings from a recent crisis, each finds strength in the other's teaching.
- Forwarded email: A pastor receives a letter of encouragement from a church in another city; he sends it to a sister church with a note: “This helped us; read it too.”
- Lost & found letters: A box of old correspondence from a missionary is found; only a few survive but they capture the heart of his message. We trust what remains.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Why don't we have the letter to the Laodiceans in our Bible? Is something missing?”
- “Should churches today share sermons and resources across denominations?”
- “How do we know the books we have are the right ones, if Paul wrote letters that got lost?”
Leading a Discussion
This verse pulls back the curtain on how early churches handled apostolic writings. Paul expects a two-way exchange: Colosse sends its letter to Laodicea, and receives another in return. This small command reveals a big picture of church unity and the transmission of Scripture.
Discussion questions
- Read Colossians 4:16 aloud. What does the phrasing 'cause it to be read' tell you about Paul's view of his own letter's authority?
- Why would Paul want the Colossians to read a letter from Laodicea? What does that say about the connection between the two churches?
- Compare this verse with 1 Thessalonians 5:27 and Revelation 1:3. What pattern emerges about public reading of apostolic writings?
- The identity of the 'letter from Laodicea' is uncertain. How does that uncertainty affect your confidence in the canon of Scripture? Does it challenge or strengthen trust in God's providence?
- Paul includes a forged letter warning (through later church history). Why is discernment so important when receiving spiritual writings, then and now?
- If your church received a letter from an apostle today, how would it change the way you treat sermons or Bible reading?
- How can your small group practice 'exchanging letters', sharing edifying content with another church or group for mutual encouragement?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Thessalonians 5:27 | I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. |
| II Thessalonians 3:14 | If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man and have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke examines three views on the epistle from Laodicea, finding the most likely explanation that Paul wrote a separate letter to the Laodiceans which is now lost. He notes that both Jerome and Theodoret mention such an epistle, though Jerome calls it apocryphal. A Latin copy still exists, but its authenticity is disputed.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that the apostles intended their letters to be read beyond the original audience, making them permanent instruction for all churches. He notes that Laodicea, once a flourishing city, now lies utterly desolate, underscoring that while cities perish, the apostolic writings endure.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that Paul's epistles, though addressed to specific churches, contain enduring doctrine for all believers. He denies that the "epistle from Laodicea" was written by Paul, suggesting it was a letter sent to Paul instead. He condemns a later forgery claiming to be Paul's Laodicean letter as utterly foreign to his spirit.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that the apostle singles out Laodicea but not Hierapolis, possibly because Laodicea was already growing lukewarm. The special charge to read the letter may reflect the distastefulness of its warnings, a precaution needed for a church already cooling in its faith.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes treat this instruction as a command for churches to share apostolic letters widely. The exchange between Colossae and Laodicea shows that Paul intended his writings to circulate beyond the original audience, strengthening unity and mutual edification among the early congregations.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill clarifies that the epistle from Laodicea was not a letter Paul wrote to that church, but one written from Laodicea, possibly by someone else. He dismisses a forged Laodicean epistle as a poorly assembled collection from other letters. Gill suggests it may have been a useful letter sent from that city to the Colossians or even Paul himself.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Paul takes care to name his coworkers and commend them individually, leaving a lasting record of their service. This written mention, he notes, honors them permanently wherever the gospel spreads, far beyond what a spoken report could achieve.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that the letter mentioned here cannot be identified with certainty. The so-called Epistle to the Laodiceans is a late, clumsy forgery found only in Latin manuscripts, cobbled together from disjointed passages of Philippians and other letters.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that Paul speaks of an epistle from Laodicea, not one written to Laodicea. He suggests this may refer to a letter sent to Paul by the church in Laodicea, offering a distinct reading that reverses the usual assumption about the letter's origin and recipient.