The Epistle from Laodicea

[jelaine]

The Epistle from Laodicea. I am curious if you have ever read it. Heard of it or looked into it. I was reading in Collosians this morning in Col 4:16 paul says "Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans (funny how paul said of the just like Jesus did in Rev) and likewise you read the epistle from Laodicea .... I was like huh? Didn't Jesus says woe to them that add or take away .... so where is this epistle from Laodicea, why wasn't it cannonized .... what does it say and does it line up with the rest of scripture. Here is what I found. Curious what my bros and sisters think.

1. Paul an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, to the brethren which are at Laodicea.
2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. I thank Christ in every prayer of mine, that you may continue and persevere in good works, looking for that which is promised in the day of judgment.
4. Do not be troubled by the vain speeches of anyone who perverts the truth, that they may draw you aside from the truth of the Gospel which I have preached.
5. And now may God grant that my converts may attain to a perfect knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, be beneficent, and doing good works which accompany salvation.
6. And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad.

7. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation forever, which shall be through your prayer and the supply of the Holy Spirit.
8. Whether I live or die, to me to live shall be a life to Christ, to die will be joy.
9. And our Lord will grant us his mercy, that you may have the same love, and be like-minded.
10. Wherefore, my beloved, as you have heard of the coming of the Lord, so think and act reverently, and it shall be to you life eternal;
11. For it is God who is working in you;
12. And do all things without sin.
13. And what is best, my beloved; rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre.
14. Let all your requests by made known to God, and be steady in the doctrine of Christ.
15. And whatever things are sound and true, and of good report, and chaste, and just, and lovely, these things do.
16. Those things which you have heard and received, think on these things, and peace shall be with you.
17. All the saints salute you.
18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
19. Cause this Epistle to be read to the Colossians, and the Epistle of the Colossians to be read among you.


I guess this epistle is in most Bibles before the luther split whenver that happened, as I said before I am curious what my other brothers and sisters think, if youve done any research .... as Iron sharpens iron so a man the countenance of his friend.... Blessings from the Most High to you!

[Robbinson]

The Epistle from Laodicea. I am curious if you have ever read it. Heard of it or looked into it. I was reading in Collosians this morning in Col 4:16 paul says "Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans (funny how paul said of the just like Jesus did in Rev) and likewise you read the epistle from Laodicea .... I was like huh? Didn't Jesus says woe to them that add or take away .... so where is this epistle from Laodicea, why wasn't it cannonized .... what does it say and does it line up with the rest of scripture. Here is what I found. Curious what my bros and sisters think.

1. Paul an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, to the brethren which are at Laodicea.
2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. I thank Christ in every prayer of mine, that you may continue and persevere in good works, looking for that which is promised in the day of judgment.
4. Do not be troubled by the vain speeches of anyone who perverts the truth, that they may draw you aside from the truth of the Gospel which I have preached.
5. And now may God grant that my converts may attain to a perfect knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, be beneficent, and doing good works which accompany salvation.
6. And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad.

7. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation forever, which shall be through your prayer and the supply of the Holy Spirit.
8. Whether I live or die, to me to live shall be a life to Christ, to die will be joy.
9. And our Lord will grant us his mercy, that you may have the same love, and be like-minded.
10. Wherefore, my beloved, as you have heard of the coming of the Lord, so think and act reverently, and it shall be to you life eternal;
11. For it is God who is working in you;
12. And do all things without sin.
13. And what is best, my beloved; rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre.
14. Let all your requests by made known to God, and be steady in the doctrine of Christ.
15. And whatever things are sound and true, and of good report, and chaste, and just, and lovely, these things do.
16. Those things which you have heard and received, think on these things, and peace shall be with you.
17. All the saints salute you.
18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
19. Cause this Epistle to be read to the Colossians, and the Epistle of the Colossians to be read among you.


I guess this epistle is in most Bibles before the luther split whenver that happened, as I said before I am curious what my other brothers and sisters think, if youve done any research .... as Iron sharpens iron so a man the countenance of his friend.... Blessings from the Most High to you!

Good question - this is a controversial topic. No one knows for sure what the Epistle to Laodicea is. Some scholars have speculated it is the Epistle to Philemon (included in the Bible). I believe you are correct that the text you cited above was included in many versons of the German translations of the Bible before Luther. I have never read it (until now). As its not part of the approved cannon (like the Apocrypha), I would not give it much thought (other than as historical literature). (Although there is historical value indeed in the Apocrypha - the story of Macabees is an important one in Jewish history and this is the only place it is actually recorded).

[blitzkreig]

Of course you are leaning rather heavily on this actually being the "epistle" so referenced in Colossians 4:16 and not some fake ...

There are many many books of Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha and quite a number of them are obvious why the doctors of religion kept them out of the cannon as they are just not inspired.