Laodiceans

In Colossians 4:16, Paul mentions an epistle that he wrote to the Laodiceans. He exhorts the Colossians to read that letter, and to pass the letter addressed to them on to the Laodiceans.

I can't recall where I found this, as I first found it almost three years ago, but this is a letter that is claimed to be Paul's letter to the Laodicean church. It is very short, just 19 verses, and contains nothing profound. I have no idea why it isn't part of the canon. I want to say that I make no claims to its authenticity, and exhort the reader not to accept this at the same level as scripture.

  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.
  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.
  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.
  6. And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad.
  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.
  9. And our Lord will grant us his mercy, that you may have the same love, and be like-minded.
  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;
  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.
  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.
  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.