Introduction
The Epistle of Paul to Laodecians also called Laodecians is a Epistle/Letter written by Paul, Which was Lost and Forgotten by Church. Epistle was rejected before in 2nd and 3rd Century because of Forged epistle against Marcion by a Presbyer and Many Fake text and Rediscovered mentioned in Colossians 4:16
The Epistle Of Paul to Laodecians was a Lost Letter Reffered in Colossians 4:16
Colossians 4:16
[16]Now when this Letter [to Colossians] is read among you , see that it is also read in the Laodicean Church, and likewise read the epistle [written by Paul] from Laodicea.
The place Laodecia is just around 10 Miles Far From Colossians.
Several historical texts purporting to be the missing “Epistle to the Laodiceans” were recognized to have existed, maximum of which are now misplaced. These were commonly taken into consideration, each at the time and through modern scholarship, to be tries to deliver a forged Manuscript of a Lost document and there were 2 epistles of Laodecia that have been obviously fake.
In Colossians 4:16, Paul mentions we should read his epistle of the Laodiceans along with Colossians to see the similarities. The Muratorian Canon Fragment mentions a fake epistle under this name that was written specifically against Marcion. Since this epistle does not counter any heresy specifically taught by Marcion we can conclude this is not the forgery the MCF was talking about and just might be the real Pauline Epistle to the Laodiceans.
Three ancient Manuscripts of Paul's Epistle to the Laodiceans exist.
- Sorbonne Library in Paris
- Library of Joannes a Viridario in Padua
- British Museum; Harleian MSS, Cod. 1212
Muratorian Fragment
The Epistle of Laodecia and Alexandria was Forged by Marcion
So,There was a Forged version of Laodecia by Marcion…May of out of that 2 Epistle of Laodecia
Present Manuscript
The original is a Latin Epistola ad Laodicenses (“Epistle to the Laodiceans”),which actually a short compilation of verses from other Pauline epistles,which is similar to Hippolytus stament.
Some ancient Fathers, such as Hippolytus, consider that the epistle “from Laodicea” was never a lost epistle, but simply Paul writing Laodecia using one of his other letters just as Latin Epistle. According to Hippolytus there was Epistle of Laodecia (original) that was not Canonised. Heretics taught Ephesians was the Epistle of Laodecia , in order to Remove it.
Dating-Epistle of Colossians and Laodecia were written togheter.
Canon?
For centuries some Western Latin Bibles used to contain a small Epistle from Paul to the Laodiceans(Latin).
Jerome, who wrote the Latin Vulgate translation, in 4th century said that”it is disputed through many“. As there has been many forged Epistles.
Parrallelities to Pauline Epistles
8. Whether I live or die, to me to live shall be a life to Christ, to die will be joy.
Compare with: “For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
13. And what is best, my beloved; rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre.
For “filthy lucre” or money, especially gained from sinful activities, see I Timothy 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7, 11; I Peter 5:2. I Timothy 6:10 is often misquoted as “money is the root of all evil,” but it really says “the love of money is the root of all evil,” meaning the root of all sorts of evil.
15. And whatever things are sound and true, and of good report, and chaste, and just, and lovely, these things do.
Compare with: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
19. Cause this Epistle to be read to the Colossians, and the Epistle of the Colossians to be read among you.
Compare
Colossians 4:16
[16]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.
Errors or Problems in Laodecia
The traditional view has been that the Laodiceans were being criticized for their neutrality or lack of zeal (hence "lukewarm"). One problem with this is that Christ’s desire that they be either “cold or hot” implies that both extremes are positive. The traditional view saw “cold” as a negative, the idea apparently being that Jesus either wants the readers to be either zealous (“hot”) for him or completely uncommitted (“cold”), but not middle-of-the-road.A middle-of-the-road stance was thought to pollute the pure representation of the faith and create misconceptions about the church and its ideals.
Miscellaneous Importance
It contains The Pauline Epistle in Short (Similar to Hippolytus original laodecian Epistle statement) Compliation,which is easier to Understand the meaning.
Problems in Manuscript
- The Greek version is lost ,only Latin translation exists.We know the English Translation of Bible consists many mistake.so Latin Epistle may have Error.
Conclusion-Epistle to laodecia is Good to Read as it doesn’t contradict scripture and similar to quoting of church Father.It is not an Marcion forgery because Marcion was an gnostic and it not doubt contradict scripture.
Epistle
Text
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE LAODICEANS WITH COMMENTARY
- He salutes the brethren.
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.
persevere in good works
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.
Not to be moved by vain speaking.
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.
Bond with Laodecia
6. And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad.
This epistle, along with those to the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon were likely written during Paul’s Roman captivity, about A.D. 61- 63.
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.
Compare with: “For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
9. And our Lord will grant us his mercy, that you may have the same love, and be like-minded.
live in the fear of the Lord.
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;
Compare with: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
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.
For “filthy lucre” or money, especially gained from sinful activities, see I Timothy 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7, 11; I Peter 5:2. I Timothy 6:10 is often misquoted as “money is the root of all evil,” but it really says “the love of money is the root of all evil,” meaning the root of all sorts of evil.
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.
Compare with: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
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.
Compare
Colossians 4:16
[16]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.
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