Instructions Concerning the Colossian Letter Colossians 4:16

We have been studying the final words of Paul the apostle to the church located in Colosse where Paul has mentioned several men who were helpful to him in ministry. In chapter four and verse sixteen of his letter, Paul gave the Colossians instructions concerning their receipt of this letter, and what they should do after they read it. We read:

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

The verse begins, “And when this epistle is read among you,” Paul gives his first instruction to the Colossians by making a presumption, “And when this epistle is read”. There was no doubt in Paul's mind that as soon as they received the letter, they would read it. Paul's thought was “when” it would be read and not “if” it was.

The verse goes on to say, “cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans;” After the letter was read by or to the church members, the Colossians were to “cause that it be read” or “make sure, carry out, perform and do rightly that it is read” “also in the church of the Laodiceans”. At that time duplication of letters and books wasn't as easy as it is today, and sharing documents was often the method of communication.

Finally the verse says, “and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” These words of Paul become very interesting because his instruction concerned the reading of “the epistle” which means “letter” “from Laodicea”. Evidently Paul wrote a separate letter to the “Laodicean” church, and it was to be read by the Colossians after they received and read it. We don't have copies of that letter today, so we do not know what it said.

As we think about Paul's words in this verse, perhaps this is one of the simplest instructions that Paul gave to the Colossians. They were to “share” what they had received. We may recall that the Judaizers and Gnostics were having their influence in the church by spreading false-teachings, and the purpose of this letter was to correct these pernicious heresies. It was imperative that the Colossians share this letter and that they also be influenced by the words written to the Laodiceans. What is it that we have received which we should “make sure, carry out, perform and do rightly” that others may receive it as well? May the Lord bring to our minds the duties of duplication and multiplication throughout His Kingdom for sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Next time we learn about a man named “Archippus” and the command directed toward him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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