The epistle to the Laodiceans mentioned in Colossians 4:16 refers to a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Laodicea. This letter is not contained in the New Testament canon and has been lost to history, but Paul’s reference indicates that such a letter did at one point exist.
The relevant verse is Colossians 4:16, which states: “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.”
From this verse we can gather several details about the mysterious epistle:
It was written by Paul
Paul clearly refers to a “letter from Laodicea,” implying that he himself wrote it. As the author of Colossians, Paul was planning to have his letter circulated among local churches in the region of Phrygia, including Laodicea. After the Colossian church read Colossians, they were to pass it along to Laodicea and read Paul’s previous letter to that church in return.
It was addressed to the church in Laodicea
Laodicea was a prominent city located just a few miles from Colossae. Like Colossae, it had a community of believers that had been established by Epaphras (Colossians 1:7). Paul wrote specifically to this fledgling church who needed his apostolic guidance.
It was already in circulation by the time Colossians was written
For Paul to request that the letter be read in Colossae, it would have already needed to be in their possession. This indicates he wrote it sometime prior to writing Colossians around 60-62 AD during his imprisonment in Rome.
It contained teachings and instructions for the Laodiceans
As with all of Paul’s epistles, this lost letter no doubt contained theological teachings, practical instructions, and apostolic exhortations for living out the Christian faith. It was deemed valuable enough for sharing between the local churches.
The letter’s contents are not divinely inspired Scripture
Unlike Paul’s letters preserved in the New Testament canon, the epistle to the Laodiceans does not appear to have been considered Scripture. Only works recognized as inspired and authoritative were included in the biblical canon when it was settled. The Laodicean letter was likely similar to Philemon – valuable but not rising to the level of Scripture.
It has not survived to today
Unfortunately this epistle has been lost to history and not rediscovered. No manuscript copies exist, and it is never quoted or mentioned by any early Christian writings outside of Colossians 4:16. Most scholars believe it simply did not survive more than a century or two before being lost for good.
Various apocryphal letters attempted to fill the void
Because an authentic letter of Paul was thought to be missing, various fictional works were composed in the 2nd-4th centuries claiming to be this lost Laodicean epistle. About six apocryphal epistles to the Laodiceans exist, but they differ in content and style from Paul’s undisputed letters. There is broad scholarly consensus that none of them are authentic.
There are various theories about its relation to other NT books
Some speculate that the epistle to the Ephesians was originally the Laodicean letter. Similarities between the books have led to theories that Ephesians was a circular letter intended for both churches. Others propose that canonical Philemon or Philippians could have been addressed jointly to Colossae and Laodicea. But there is no consensus or convincing evidence for these hypotheses.
Its contents may have been similar to Colossians
Assuming Colossians and the epistle to the Laodiceans were written close together, they likely contained parallel teachings and exhortations. The lost letter probably covered themes like Christ’s supremacy, false teaching, faith lived out, instructions to families/slaves, and more. But we cannot reconstruct its exact contents.
In summary, the epistle mentioned in Colossians 4:16 was clearly an authentic letter written by Paul to the Laodicean church which has not survived to the present day. Though its contents are uncertain, its existence demonstrates that even some inspired apostolic teachings did not necessarily become part of the biblical canon. The letter remains a intriguing mystery that has sparked much debate despite so little information about it.
Key Bible verses referencing an epistle to the Laodiceans
Colossians 4:16 (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.
This key verse directly refers to Paul’s lost epistle destined for the Laodicean church.
Revelation 3:14-22 (ESV): “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation…I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Jesus dictates a letter to the church in Laodicea indicating it had a vibrant community of believers by the end of the 1st century.
Colossians 2:1 (ESV): For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face…
Paul expresses deep concern for the believers not only in Colossae but also in nearby Laodicea, showing the close ties between the churches.
Colossians 4:13 (ESV): For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Epaphras had evangelized and ministered in the Lycus Valley cities of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
Background on the church in Laodicea
Laodicea was located in the Roman province of Asia (now western Turkey) about 100 miles east of Ephesus. In the first century it was a prosperous commercial and banking center. The city was extremely wealthy due to its production of glossy black wool, manufacturing of medicinal eye salve, and banking industry.
A Christian community was most likely established in Laodicea during Paul’s extended ministry in nearby Ephesus around 53-55 AD (Acts 19:10). Paul himself had not visited Laodicea or the surrounding region prior to his Roman imprisonment (Colossians 2:1). But others had brought the gospel to Laodicea, namely Paul’s co-worker Epaphras (Colossians 1:7, 4:12-13).
Laodicea’s church may have been founded by converts from the neighboring city of Colossae, just 10 miles away. The two churches clearly had very close ties and interacted regularly, as seen in Paul’s letter to Colossae.
Little else is known about the Laodicean church in the earliest period aside from the messages to it in Colossians and Revelation. By the end of the 1st century, Jesus commended their works but also strongly rebuked them for spiritual lukewarmness (Revelation 3:14-22). The church evidently survived and prospered well into the 4th century.
In summary, the church of Laodicea was one of many apostolic age churches in Asia Minor that emerged from Paul’s extensive network of missionaries and co-workers. Paul wrote to these varied churches to encourage them in the faith, just as he did for the Christians in Colossae and Laodicea.
Scholarly theories about the epistle’s relation to canonical books
There is much speculation but no consensus about whether the lost epistle to the Laodiceans might be related to one of the New Testament books found in the biblical canon today. The major theories are:
It was the book of Ephesians
Some scholars have proposed that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was originally addressed to the church in Laodicea. Variants like “in Ephesus” (Ephesians 1:1) and 4:1 where “in the Lord” is missing may suggest it was an encyclical letter. Advocates of this view believe Ephesians was likely circulated between the regional churches, including Laodicea.
However, there are significant problems with this theory. The textual evidence for Ephesians’ destination is overwhelmingly “in Ephesus”. The heresies addressed in Colossians are very different than issues in Ephesians. Nor does Ephesians share the special greetings or personal remarks that would be expected for a church Paul knew so directly.
It was the book of Ephesians or Philippians
Similarities between Ephesians and Philippians have led some to theorize that Philippians was addressed jointly to believers in Philippi and nearby Laodicea. This would mean either Ephesians or Philippians could have been the lost epistle. But again, there is scant evidence internally or externally to support a dual destination for either book.
It was the letter to Philemon
A minority of scholars argue that Paul’s brief letter to Philemon was also addressed jointly to the Colossian church, and thus could have been shared with the Laodiceans. But Philemon lacks any references to Laodicea or the broader issues addressed in Colossians, so this view has found little traction.
It was not any canonical book, but a separate lost letter
The most straightforward reading is that the epistle to the Laodiceans was simply a separate, standalone letter not included in the New Testament. This does not preclude similarities with books like Ephesians, but the original Laodicean letter was likely a distinct document that has not survived. Most scholars hold this view for lack of evidence to definitively equate it with any biblical book.
In summary, there are varied theories about how the lost epistle to the Laodiceans might relate to New Testament books we possess today. But there is no scholarly consensus. The most likely scenario is that it was an independent letter, similar but not identical to canonical books like Colossians and Ephesians. But the precise relationship remains mysterious given the paucity of evidence about the epistle itself.
Possible reasons the epistle was not preserved
Scholars can only speculate as to why this genuine letter from Paul was not preserved as part of the New Testament, unlike most of his other epistles. Here are some possible reasons:
It was intended only for a specific local context
The letter to the Laodiceans was probably written with those believers and their particular situations in mind. This was different than letters like Ephesians written for wider circulation. Its localized contents may not have been seen as universally applicable or inspired.
It became obsolete more quickly
If the epistle dealt with specific issues in the Laodicean church at the time, its teachings could have been viewed as no longer relevant within a generation or two. This may have allowed it to fall out of use and get lost at an early date.
It was less extensively copied and circulated
Letters viewed as useful for the wider church tended to be copied and shared more extensively. Since we have no references to the Laodicean letter by the late first century, it does not seem to have had very wide circulation even early on.
It may have had a lower or more controversial view of Paul
Some scholars believe it may have lacked an authoritative emphasis on Paul’s apostolic status compared to letters like 1 Corinthians or Ephesians. This could have led the church to deem it less inspired and authoritative.
Its contents duplicated other letters
If the Laodicean letter covered themes similar to Colossians and Philippians, early Christians may have felt it was unnecessary to preserve once those books were embraced as part of the canon.
No false claims of canonicity arose
The existence of various later apocryphal pretenders to Paul’s authorship shows that the vacuum left by its loss was noticed. But no spurious copies succeeded in attaining recognition as authentic Scripture in the early centuries.
In summary, the epistle to the Laodiceans was likely valued in its day. But for various possible reasons, it did not attain the widespread prominence and canonical status of books like Colossians or Ephesians in the decades after Paul’s death. But the precise reasons for the letter’s loss remain uncertain.
Summary of key points
– The epistle to the Laodiceans was a genuine letter written by Paul that is now lost
– It was referenced in Colossians 4:16, indicating it was to be shared between local churches
– The letter was addressed to the church community in the city of Laodicea around 60-62 AD
– Its contents focused on instruction and exhortation for the believers there
– It was not considered part of Scripture and did not survive more than a few centuries
– Theories that conflate it with books like Ephesians are speculative and disputed
– Various apocryphal works falsely claimed to be the lost epistle
– Reasons for it being excluded from the canon likely include its localized nature and early demise
In conclusion, the epistle to the Laodiceans stands as an intriguing mystery from the apostle Paul and the early decades of church history. It demonstrates that some authentic early Christian writings were valued but not ultimately canonized. Though the letter is lost, its legacy reminds us of the many unpreserved stories and teachings from the apostolic age that God did not see fit to include in the eternal Scriptures. The brief reference in Colossians will have to suffice as evidence of its one-time existence.