Colossians 4:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

NIV: After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

NASB: When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.

CSB: After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

NLT: After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

As mentioned in verse 15, the letter to the Colossians was not intended only for their congregation. They were to have it "also read in the church of the Laodiceans." It is uncertain whether the same copy would have been shared or if this letter was copied by someone in the Colossian church before sending it to the next church. In either case, it is clear there was a need for multiple copies of Paul's letters from the start. This led to the many copies that arose in the first through third centuries. Still today, the New Testament writings offer far more early copies than any other work in ancient times.

The second part of this verse offers another intriguing command: to read a letter Paul wrote to Laodicea. Tychicus and Onesimus carried this letter to the Colossian church (Colossians 4:7–9), the letter to Philemon, Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:21), and this other letter addressed to the church at Laodicea. The other prison epistle, Philippians, does not indicate who delivered it, though these same two men may have also been involved. Though now lost, a letter to the Christians in Laodicea would have included important information for the Colossians that Paul wanted them to know.

Colossians 4:7–18 ends Paul's letter to the believers at Colossae in his typical fashion. Most of Paul's letters begin with an introduction, transition from ideas into applications, and then end with general news and greetings. Here, Paul specifically mentions the town of Laodicea, which was about 12 miles away from Colossae. He also refers to several fellow Christians, some of whom are mentioned in other letters as well, including Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Epaphras, and Luke.

The first verse of chapter 4 is actually the last thought from Paul's prior comments about bondservants and masters. After this, Paul gives the Christian perspective on conversation. The way believers speak has a large impact on the effectiveness of our message. Paul then ends his letter with news and messages between various Christian ministers. Among these are names which Paul mentions again in other letters, such as Tychicus, Epaphras, Archippus, and Onesimus.

Prior chapters in this letter established the supremacy of Christ, provided counters to false teaching, and gave instructions for Christian living. Chapter 4 completes these instructions with a general command regarding Christian conversation. Paul then ends the letter with news and comments related to various fellow Christian believers. This follows the general pattern for Paul's letters: introduction, theory, application, personal news and farewell.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.