Ancient Epistle to Laodecians

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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE LAODICEANS WITH COMMENTARY

1. 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.