Christ Preeminence is Detailed to the Colossians Volume 47

Paul's Final Greetings to the Colossian Believers Part 5

Colossians 4:16-18 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. KJV

Finally, Paul has reached the end of his letter to these Colossian believers that he never met (in his earthly life) face to face, but we now come to one of the most controversial statements in this letter and that is this directive given to the Colossian Church, "And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." (Colossian 4:16) (KJV). I have read the commentaries of some of the most revered men of God in the history of the Christian Church and many differ on what Paul means here in this verse. First, I want to say that I am just a son of God who loves our Lord Jesus Christ as so many do all over the world, but just like every other brother or sister 'in Christ', I have from studying the Scripture for many years now formed my hypothesis as to what 'letter' Paul is referring to from Laodicea. It is my humble opinion, that Paul did write a letter or letters to the Laodicean Church most likely because they had contacted him through a letter written to Paul asking his guidance on certain issues that pertained to their body of believers specifically.

It is not difficult for me to believe that God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit did not allow every letter written by Paul or Peter or James or John or any of the other Apostles to be preserved for posterity or in other words for all future generations of Christian men, women, boys, and girls, for let us never forget the words concerning our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ written by the Apostle John about Him, "It is this same disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who has recorded (written) them; and we [well] know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written." (John 21:24-25) (Amplified Bible). Note: "Certainly I am not equating Paul with our Lord Jesus, but I am sure Paul wrote many letters just as our Lord Jesus said and did many things that are not recorded for us in the Scripture."

In instructing the various Churches to read one another’s letters out loud to or before the entire congregation was Paul (again being a Jew) following the practices, procedures, and plans directed to the ancient Jews by YAHWEH long ago concerning their reading of the 'Book of the Law' aloud to the entire Body of Israelites that were freed from slavery in Egypt as recorded by Moses with these words, "And Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, At the end of every seven years, at the set time of the year of release [of debtors from their debts], at the Feast of Booths, When all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses [for His sanctuary], you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people--men, women, and children, and the stranger {and} the sojourner within your towns--that they may hear and learn [reverently] to fear the Lord your God and be watchful to do all the words of this law, And that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn [reverently] to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you go over the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 31:9-13) (Amplified Bible).

Note: "Laodicea, here referred to, was the seat of one of the “Seven Churches” of Asia Revelation 3:14; was a city of Phrygia, and was its capital. It was situated on the river Lycus (hence, called Laodikeia epi Lukō - Laodicea on the Lycus) and stood at the southwestern angle of Phrygia. Its early name appears to have been Dios polis, changed subsequently to Rhoas. The name Laodicea was given to it by Antiochus Theos, in honor of his wife Laodice. Under the Romans it became a very flourishing commercial city. It was often damaged by earthquakes, but was restored by the Roman emperors. It is supposed to have been destroyed during the inroad of Timur Leng in 1402. The ruins are called by the Turks Eski Hissar. These ruins, and the ruins of Hierapolis, were visited by Mr. Riggs, an American Missionary, in 1842, who thus speaks of them: 'These spots, so interesting to the Christian, are now utterly desolate.'" (Albert Barnes).

Paul now earnestly request or exhorts these Colossian believers to one particular person among them with these words, "And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it." (Colossians 4:17) (KJV). This man Archippus (whose name by the way means Horse Ruler) is referred to or mentioned only one other time by Paul in any of the letters we have recorded for us in the New Testament and that is as written here to Philemon with these words, "And to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier [in the Christian warfare], and to the Church [assembly that meets] in your house:" (Philemon 1:2) (Amplified Bible). Apparently 'Apphia' was Archippus' wife and he was the Pastor over a congregation of believers that worshipped in their home. The Apostle Paul is not here admonishing this man, but most definitely encouraging him and lifting him up spiritually (Acts 20:28), that he may be as it is written, "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]." (Ephesians 6:10) (Amplified Bible).

Lastly, Paul concludes with his distinguishing mark of signing or writing the closing verse or verses of his letters perhaps to add authenticity to them seeing that he had scribes to write the entire letter from his dictation as he declares with these final words, "The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen." (Colossians 4:18) (KJV). Paul wanted them to always remember why he was imprisoned in Rome, which was for declaring or preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every Gentile Nation he was able to reach, which these Colossians were Gentiles who heard the Gospel of Grace from Epaphras who surely was saved under the preaching of the Apostle Paul's ministry as he declared to them at the very beginning of his letter with these words we remember, "[Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking {and} remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His Body, which is the Church." (Colossians 1:24) (Amplified Bible). How could they not remember how much Paul had and was suffering for their sakes in order that they might hear the Gospel of Christ and be save thereby.

"He wished their remembrance because he needed their sympathy. Like the old rags put round the ropes by which the prophet was hauled out of his dungeon, the poorest bit of sympathy twisted round a fetter makes it chafe less. The petition helps us to conceive how heavy a trial Paul felt his imprisonment to be, little as he said about it, and bravely as he bore it. He wished their remembrance too, because his bonds added weight to his words. His sufferings gave him a right to speak. In times of persecution confessors are the highest teachers, and the marks of the Lord Jesus borne in a man’s body give more authority than diplomas and learning. He wished their remembrance because his bonds might encourage them to steadfast endurance if need for it should arise. He points to his own sufferings, and would have them take heart to bear their lighter crosses and to fight their easier battle. One cannot but recall the words of Paul’s Master, so like these in sound, so unlike them in deepest meaning. Can there be a greater contrast than between 'Remember my bonds,' the plaintive appeal of a weak man seeking sympathy, coming as an appendix, quite apart from the subject of the letter, and 'Do this in remembrance of Me,' the royal words of the Master? Why is the memory of Christ’s death so unlike the memory of Paul’s chains? Why is the one merely for the play of sympathy, and the enforcement of his teaching, and the other the very centre of our religion? For one reason alone. Because Christ’s death is the life of the world, and Paul’s sufferings, whatever their worth, had nothing in them that bore, except indirectly, on man’s redemption. 'Was Paul crucified for you?' We remember his chains, and they give him sacredness in our eyes. But we remember the broken body and shed blood of our Lord, and cleave to it in faith as the one sacrifice for the world’s sin." Expositor's Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…