“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.”

“Now when this epistle is read among you”

Paul expects that the book of Colossians will be read publicly in the assembly, both in the cities of Colossians and Laodicea. This stipulation for reading the Word publicly gives some indication of how the early church practiced worship.

“Read” means to exegete Colossians. Few churches expound the Bible verse-by-verse. God wants us to study the Word thoroughly.

“see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans”

Paul also expected that Colossians would be read publicly in the church of the Laodiceans as well as the church in Colosse. New Testament churches shared the books of the Bible; they were circulated extensively. Thus, Colossians was obviously intended for other churches as well. It was also intended for the church of today.

“and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea”

The Epistle from Laodicea is now lost. It did not belong to the authorized books of the Bible known as the “canon.” The canon is those books that the church deemed inspired.

Not all epistles that Paul wrote were inspired. However, the Laodicean letter may have been the book of Ephesians. The first and seventh of the churches of Revelation are Ephesus and Laodicea. The letter was sent first to Ephesus, then to the other churches on that circuit, ending up at Laodicea. Therefore, this epistle may be Ephesians.

Circular letters written by Paul were to be read by all the churches in that area.

Principle:

God has designed the local church as the place for growth in the Word of God.

Application:

Local churches are geographically pinpointed. Born-again people make up the local church. These are people who support missionary enterprises around the world. The church is where they study the Bible from a gifted pastor.

Do you attend a church where you are taught the Word of God?