Also Read in the Church

Applying the Bible · Jun 4, 2026 · 9m

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)

At the time Paul wrote this, the full canon of Scripture was still being formed. His instruction for the Colossians to read his letter publicly and to exchange it with the Laodiceans shows the value of shared wisdom and communal growth. These weren’t private letters for one leader’s eyes only…they were meant for the entire body to learn from together. When churches gathered to read them aloud, fellowship naturally followed…