SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:16
Y cuando esta carta fuere leída entre vosotros, haced que tambin sea leída en la Iglesia de los laodicenses; y la de Laodicea que la leis tambin vosotros.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Colossians 4:16
Verse 16. Cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans] That is: Let a copy be taken, and sent to them, that it may be read there also. This appears to have been a regular custom in the apostolic Church. That ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea] Some suppose that this was an epistle sent from Laodicea to the apostle, which he now sent by Aristarchus to the Colossians, that they might peruse it; that thereby they might see the propriety of sending a copy of his epistle to them, to the Laodicean Church. Many eminent critics are of this opinion, which appears to me to be both forced and far fetched. Others think that the Epistle to the Ephesians is the epistle in question, and that it was originally directed to them, and not to the Ephesians. See the notes on Eph. i. 1, &c. But others, equally learned, think that there was an epistle, different from that to the Ephesians, sent by St. Paul to the Laodiceans, which is now lost. There was an epistle under this direction in the times of Theodouret and Jerome, for both of them mention it; but the latter mentions it as apocryphal, Legunt quidam et ad Laodicenses Epistolam, sed ab omnibus exploditur; "Some read an Epistle to the Laodiceans, but it is exploded by all." The seventh OEcumenic council, held in 787, states that the ancients allowed that there was an epistle with this direction, but that all the orthodox rejected it as supposititious.
An epistle ad Laodicenses is still extant in the Latin language, a very ancient copy of which is in the library Sancti Albani Andegavensis, St. Alban's of Anjou. Hutter has translated it into Greek, but his translation is of no authority. Calmet has published this epistle, with various readings from the above MS. I shall subjoin it at the end of this epistle, and give my opinion relative to its use and authenticity. A copy of this epistle stands in this place as a portion of Divine revelation in one of my own MSS. of the Vulgate.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. And when this epistle is read amongst you , &c,] Which the apostle was now writing, and sent unto them; and which was to be read publicly, before the whole church; being sent not to any particular person, or persons, but to the whole body, and for their general good and instruction: cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans ; his will was, that after it had been read to the church at Colosse, it should be sent, or at least a copy of it, to the church of the Laodiceans, in order to be read there: his reason might be, not only because this church was near them, but because it was in much the same situation, being infested with the same sort of false teachers; and therefore what was said to the one, was pertinent to the other: and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea ; which was not an epistle of the apostle to the Laodiceans, as some have thought, but one that was written from thence, as the Syriac version renders it. Marcion, the heretic, called the epistle to the Ephesians, the epistle to the Laodiceans, but without any reason; and others have forged an epistle which bears this name, and appears to be a collection out of others, and chiefly from the epistle to the Philippians; and which being short, and may gratify the curious who cannot otherwise come at it, I shall transcribe it, and is as follows f66 . Paul an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ; to the brethren which are of Laodicea, grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to Christ in every prayer of mine, that ye continue and persevere in good works, expecting the promise in the day of judgment: neither let the vain speeches of some that pretend to truth disturb you, so as to turn you from the truth of the Gospel which is preached by me; and now the Lord cause that those who belong to me may be serviceable for the furtherance of the truth of the Gospel, and doing kind actions, which are of salvation unto eternal life: and now my bonds are manifest which I suffer in Christ, in which I am glad and rejoice; and this is to my perpetual salvation which is done by your prayers, the Holy Ghost supplying, whether by life or by death; for me to live is life in Christ, and to die is joy; and he will do his own mercy in you, that ye may have the same love, and be unanimous: therefore, most beloved, as ye have heard of the presence of the Lord, so think ye, and do in fear, and you shall have life for ever; for it is God that worketh in you; and whatsoever ye do, do without sin; and what is best, most beloved, rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and take heed of all filth in all gain; let your petitions be openly with God, be ye steadfast in the sense of Christ: and whatsoever things are sound and true, and chaste and just, and lovely, do; and what ye have heard and received retain in the heart, and peace shall be with you. Salute all the brethren with an holy kiss; all the saints salute you; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen. Cause this to be read to the Colossians, and that which is of the Colossians to you.
Every one on reading it will easily see that it is a spurious piece, a collection out of other epistles, and very ill put together: however, the apostle here does not speak of any epistle written to the church of Laodicea, but of one that was written from thence; which some think was written by himself, and that he means his first epistle to Timothy, which is said to be written from Laodicea; and the rather, because in that the qualifications of the ministers of the Gospel are given; and also suitable instructions for the discharge of their work, and so very proper to be read in the presence of Archippus; who, from the following verse, seems to have been remiss and negligent, and needed stirring up to the performance of his office: but from ( Colossians 2:1) it appears, that the apostle had not been at Laodices when he wrote this, and had not so much as seen any of the faces of the brethren there in the flesh; it therefore seems rather to be an epistle which was sent from Laodicea to him, or to the Colossians; which having something in it very instructive and useful, the apostle desires it might be publicly read.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget a well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints an ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his fellow-prisoner, an all his fellow-workers, working out their own salvation, an endeavouring to promote the salvation of others. The effectual, ferven prayer is the prevailing prayer, and availeth much. The smiles flatteries, or frowns of the world, the spirit of error, or the workin of self-love, leads many to a way of preaching and living which come far short of fulfilling their ministry. But those who preach the sam doctrine as Paul, and follow his example, may expect the Divine favou and blessing __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 οταν 3752 αναγνωσθη 314 5686 παρ 3844 υμιν 5213 η 3588 επιστολη 1992 ποιησατε 4160 5657 ινα 2443 και 2532 εν 1722 τη 3588 λαοδικεων 2994 εκκλησια 1577 αναγνωσθη 314 5686 και 2532 την 3588 εκ 1537 λαοδικειας 2993 ινα 2443 και 2532 υμεις 5210 αναγνωτε 314 5632
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. The epistle from Laodicaea (thn ek Laodikeiav). That is, the letter left at Laodicaea, and to be obtained by you from the church there. This letter cannot be positively identified. The composition known as the Epistle to the Laodicaeans is a late and clumsy forgery, existing only in Latin MSS., and made up chiefly of disconnected passages from Philippians, with a few from other epistles. 208
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:16 {When this epistle hath been read among you} (hotan anagnwsqei par' humin he epistole). Indefinite temporal clause with hotan (hote an) and the first aorist passive subjunctive of anaginwskw. The epistle was read in public to the church (#Re 1:3). {Cause that} (poiesate hina). Same idiom in #Joh 11:37; Re 13:15. Old Greek preferred hopws for this idiom. See #1Th 5:27 for injunction for public reading of the epistle. {That ye also read} (kai humeis anagnwte). Second aorist active subjunctive of anaginwskw, to read. {And the epistle from Laodicea} (kai ten ek laodikias). The most likely meaning is that the so-called epistle to the Ephesians was a circular letter to various churches in the province of Asia, one copy going to Laodicea and to be passed on to Colossae as the Colossian letter was to be sent on to Laodicea. this was done usually by copying and keeping the original. See #Eph 1:1 for further discussion of this matter.
