Colossians 4:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The latter opinion is the most probable. It is confirmed by the close similarity in content between the Epistle to the Ephesians and this Epistle, by the simultaneous origin of both Epistles, and by external testimonies, such as Tertullian. If the Apostle calls it an Epistle from Laodicea, he does so in relation to the place from which the circular Epistle to the Ephesians was to come to Colossae.

As for the so-called Epistle to the Laodiceans, which was printed in certain old Latin and even German Bibles, its inauthenticity is obvious. It consists of twenty verses and is composed entirely of expressions from the Apostle Paul in the Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians.

Then follow commissions and instructions. The Epistle to the Colossians is to be read also in the Laodicean church. The one from Laodicea is also to be read by the Colossians. Archippus, the head of the Colossian church after Epaphras, is to be given an apostolic reminder about zealous fulfillment of his pastoral duties (Col 4:16-17). Finally comes the concluding note in the Apostle Paul's own hand: Remember my bonds. Grace be with you all. Amen.

According to blessed Theophylact's explanation, the Apostle gives two exhortations with the one phrase in the Lord. He makes Archippus more careful to fulfill his ministry as the work of the Lord. He also disposes them to submit to him more willingly, showing that they have been given into his hands by God. According to Photius, Archippus was bishop of Colossae after Epaphras. His memory is on February 19 and November 22.

Concerning the writing from Laodicea, St. John Chrysostom observes: Some rightly maintain that here the meaning is not Paul's Epistle to the Laodiceans, but their Epistle to Paul. For he did not say, the letter written to the Laodiceans, but says, the letter written from Laodicea.

A more recent interpreter of ours, N. Mukhin, regards the writing from Laodicea as Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians. One may say that the circumstances in which these Epistles were written coincide. Yet one cannot fail to wonder why such an opinion is not shared by the ancient interpreters, beginning with John Chrysostom, blessed Theodoret, and Theophylact, who supposes that the First Epistle to Timothy is meant here. Bishop Theophan says, Without forcing the text, one cannot suppose that the Epistle of St. Paul to the Laodiceans is meant here. It is either the Epistle of the Laodiceans to St. Paul, or an Epistle of St. Paul from Laodicea, written by him to someone or somewhere. One may suppose that someone from Laodicea wrote to St. Paul, describing the calamity threatening the Laodicean and Colossian churches from false teachers. This letter was handed by him to Tychicus, so that he might give it to the Colossians to read for the explanation of his own Epistle.

By this last expression it is best to understand the Epistle to Philemon, and for the following reasons. Among the instructions relating to Laodicea, and in verse 17, the Apostle gives the Colossians an instruction concerning Archippus, who was related to Philemon (Phlm 1:2). Therefore Archippus and Philemon should be considered inhabitants of Laodicea. This is all the more likely because the Apostle would not have needed to address Archippus through the Colossians if Archippus himself had been a Colossian. If the mention of the letter from Laodicea brought Archippus, Philemon's relative, to the Apostle's mind, how else can this association be explained, unless we suppose that by this letter he means his own Epistle to Philemon?

For the Colossians, the Epistle to Philemon was indeed of the greatest interest. It concerned their fellow citizen Onesimus, who had formerly been enslaved to Philemon, and who now appeared in Colossae as a teacher of the faith. As for the instruction the Apostle gives the Colossians concerning Archippus, to remind him faithfully to fulfill the duty he had undertaken, it was probably occasioned by the appearance of false teachers. Then the Apostle writes a greeting to the Colossians in his own hand and urges them to remember his bonds, certainly so that they would not forget the Apostle in their prayers.

The apostolic writings belonged to all the churches, or to the one Church of Christ. They were all circulated throughout the whole Church by being copied. No special directives were required for this. If the Apostle gives a special directive, it is in this sense: Do not wait until they decide to copy this Epistle for themselves. Send them the original quickly, so that they may read it quickly, because what was written to you is extremely necessary for them also. He does not mention the Hierapolitans, because they were outside the danger and could obtain a copy of the Epistle in the usual way.

And that which is written from Laodicea, see that you also read it. Without forcing the text, one cannot suppose that the Epistle of St. Paul to the Laodiceans is meant here. Rather, it is either the Epistle of the Laodiceans to St. Paul, or an Epistle of St. Paul from Laodicea, written by him to someone or somewhere. Theophylact supposes the latter, thinking that the First Epistle to Timothy is intended here. All our other interpreters hold the first opinion.

St. Chrysostom says, Some rightly maintain that here the meaning is not Paul's Epistle to the Laodiceans, but their Epistle to Paul. For he did not say, the letter written to the Laodiceans, but says, the letter written from Laodicea. Blessed Theodoret writes in the same sense: Some supposed that Paul also wrote to the Laodiceans, and therefore they present a spurious Epistle. But the divine Apostle said, not what was written to Laodicea, but what was written from Laodicea. For the Laodiceans wrote to the Apostle about something. Probably they were either accusing the Colossians because of what had occurred among them, or they were suffering from the same disease. Therefore the Apostle commanded that the Epistle be read to them also. Thus also Ambrosiaster, Oecumenius, and Photius in Oecumenius.

The Apostle writes indefinitely, την εκ Λαοδικειας: and that letter from Laodicea, see that you also read it. Speaking about the reading of his Epistle in the Laodicean church, he used the expression εν τη Λαοδικεων, that is, in the church, having the believers in mind. But here he says only την εκ Λαοδικειας, that which is from Laodicea, without indicating definite persons or a definite person. One may suppose that someone from Laodicea wrote anonymously to St. Paul, describing the calamity threatening the Laodicean and Colossian churches from false teachers. Epaphras, sent by the churches there to assist St. Paul, confirmed this. The Apostle writes the Epistle, directing it to the Colossians, but with the Laodiceans also in view. The letter written to St. Paul from Laodicea was handed by him to Tychicus, so that he might give it to the Colossians to read, as an explanation of why his own Epistle touched on this and that matter.