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Mike Abendroth: The Epistle to Laodicea and the Canon of Scripture

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Laodicea

And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. – Colossians 4:16

What happened to the letter from Laodicea that Paul mentions in this verse? There is a letter that has been handed down through the Latin Vulgate that claims to be this letter, but is it? Is it a forgery? Pastor Mike Abendroth returns for this episode to discuss this letter, as well as the Canon of Scripture. We talk about what the Canon is, how it is put together, and who decided what books belong in the Canon of Scripture.

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Epistle to Laodicea

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.

Source: Wikisource

An Outline of the Discussion
  • Before Luther started the Reformation, 18 different Bibles contained the Epistle to the Laodiceans.
  • It is not considered inspired, and is not included in the Canon of Scripture.
  • The Quakers pleaded for Laodiceans to be included in the Canon. We speculated that the did so in order to open the door to other books/letters to be added as well.
  • There are two different versions of this epistle. One is from the Latin Vulgate, the other is the Marcionist version.
  • John Wycliffe included this epistle in his translation of the Bible from Latin to English.
  • Paul's letters were often addressed to specific churches, but meant for wider distribution and circulation.
  • The letter to the Ephesians didn't contain a city in it's address. It simply said “to the church at _______”.
  • The church didn't determine the canon, they recognized it.
  • There is no surviving Greek manuscript of Laodiceans.
  • Jerome rejected Laodiceans.
  • Rather than search out books that are not in scripture, we should study the ones that are in scripture.
  • One theory suggests that this letter was cobbled together in order to get ahead of heretics that may try to forge the letter, and introduce false doctrine.
  • The Gnostic gospels do not read like the authentic Gospels. They are clearly different.
  • Marcion was an early heretic that has been associated with the Epistle to Laodiceans. His is generally known for removing material from the Scripture, as opposed to adding to it.
Scriptures Referenced
  • Colossians 4:16
  • Philippians 2:13
  • 2 Peter 1:20
  • 1 Timothy 3:3
  • 1 Timothy 6:10
  • Philippians 4:8
  • 2 Peter 3:16
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:13
Additional Resources

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