Colossians 4:16
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This verse reveals a surprisingly practical instruction for spiritual growth: sharing and receiving God's Word is a communal act. Paul doesn't just want the Colossians to read his letter; he wants them to actively ensure it's shared with another church, and for them to do the same with a letter they'll receive, highlighting how discipleship thrives when faith is exchanged and learned together.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is concluding his letter, offering final greetings and instructions. He advises the Colossians to share this letter with the church in nearby Laodicea and to read a separate letter sent from Laodicea themselves, suggesting a close relationship and shared concerns between these two communities. This exchange highlights how Paul intended his letters to be circulated and to serve as ongoing instruction for multiple churches.
Imagine receiving a letter from someone you deeply respected, someone with spiritual authority over you. What would you do with it? How would you ensure its message was heard?
In Colossians 4:16, Paul instructs the church in Colossae not only to read his letter but also to ensure it's shared with the church in Laodicea. This highlights a crucial aspect of early Christianity: the written word of the apostles carried immense weight.
Diffusion of Divine Truth
These letters weren't just personal notes; they were the means by which apostolic teaching and correction were spread throughout the fledgling Christian communities. The instruction to read the letter in Laodicea and to read a letter from Laodicea demonstrates a network of communication, ensuring that the truth revealed through the apostles reached as many believers as possible. It was a way to standardize and preserve the core teachings of Christ as understood and communicated by His chosen messengers.
Paul mentions a letter 'from Laodicea.' What was it? And why is it lost to us today, while the letter to the Colossians remains?
The mention of 'the letter from Laodicea' has puzzled scholars for centuries. While there are various theories—some even suggesting it was the letter to the Ephesians or another lost epistle from Paul—the text is clear that a reciprocal exchange of letters was intended.
A Window into Apostolic Practice
This exchange highlights a dynamic, interconnected early church. It suggests that Paul was writing to multiple churches, aware of their shared challenges and the need for consistent teaching across different communities. The fact that this particular letter is lost to us, while the Colossian letter is preserved, points to the providence of God in what Scripture has been retained for our benefit. It reminds us that not every word written by an apostle became part of the canonical Scriptures, but God preserved what He intended for the enduring instruction of His people.
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Understand the original words
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
In the New Testament, this refers to the gathering of believers or the universal body of Christ. It signifies a group called out from the world to belong to God and live under the authority of Christ.
This verse shows a practical aspect of early church life, where letters were carefully circulated and shared to ensure sound doctrine and unity between geographically close congregations.
c. AD 53-57— this verse
Paul Writes to the Colossians
Paul, imprisoned (likely in Rome, though Caesarea is another possibility), writes to the church in Colossae, a city in Phrygia. He addresses doctrinal errors and encourages the believers.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Letter to the Laodiceans
Alongside the letter to the Colossians, Paul also writes another letter intended for the church in the nearby city of Laodicea. This letter is now lost to history.
c. AD 53-57
Interchange of Letters
Paul instructs the Colossians to have his letter read to the Laodiceans, and to also read the letter Paul sent to them. This promotes unity and shared teaching among neighboring churches.
Late 1st Century AD
Canonization of Pauline Epistles
The practice of reading letters publicly and interchanging them helps establish the authority and widespread acceptance of Paul's writings within the early church.
This passage echoes the directive in Colossians 4:16 by commanding the Thessalonian church to ensure their letter is read to all the believers, highlighting the early church's practice of communal scripture reading.
Romans 16:22Tertius, the scribe who wrote this letter for Paul, sends his greetings, mirroring the personal salutations in Colossians and showing how apostles involved others in their correspondence, just as Tychicus was involved in delivering the Colossian letter.
2 Corinthians 8:18Paul mentions sending a brother with Titus whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, similar to how Tychicus was entrusted with important letters and messages between churches.
Galatians 1:2Paul states that the churches of Galatia received his letter, illustrating the concept of epistles being circulated and read among different congregations, as instructed in Colossians 4:16.
Revelation 1:3This verse declares a blessing for those who read aloud the words of the prophecy and the words of this book, emphasizing the importance and blessing associated with the public reading of sacred letters in the early church.
henryColossians 4:10-18: "Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)"
4:10-18 Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostl…
barnesColossians 4:16: "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."
And when this Epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans - Laodicea was near to Colossae, and the church there was evidently exposed to the same dangers from philosophy and false teachers as the at Colossae. The counsels in this Epistle, therefore, would be equally applicable to bot…
This verse reveals a surprisingly practical instruction for spiritual growth: sharing and receiving God's Word is a communal act. Paul doesn't just want the Colossians to read his letter; he wants them to actively ensure it's shared with another church, and for them to do the same with a letter they'll receive, highlighting how discipleship thrives when faith is exchanged and learned together.
Paul is concluding his letter, offering final greetings and instructions. He advises the Colossians to share this letter with the church in nearby Laodicea and to read a separate letter sent from Laodicea themselves, suggesting a close relationship and shared concerns between these two communities. This exchange highlights how Paul intended his letters to be circulated and to serve as ongoing instruction for multiple churches.
Paul is concluding his letter, offering final greetings and instructions. He advises the Colossians to share this letter with the church in nearby Laodicea and to read a separate letter sent from Laodicea themselves, suggesting a close relationship and shared concerns between these two communities. This exchange highlights how Paul intended his letters to be circulated and to serve as ongoing instruction for multiple churches.
"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." — This verse reveals a surprisingly practical instruction for spiritual growth: sharing and receiving God's Word is a communal act. Paul doesn't just want the Colossians to read his letter; he wants th…
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Last reviewed October 2026
