Colossians 4:16 is Paul’s instruction that the letter he is sending to the church at Colossae should be read aloud to the believers there, and then passed on to the church at Laodicea, so that both congregations hear it. The verse also asks the Colossians to read a letter that Paul had written to Laodicea, which they would have received from that church. Paul wrote this near the end of the letter, as a practical closing note about how his words were to travel among the early churches.
When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
Colossians 4:16 (WEB)
What Colossians 4:16 Means
The verse begins with “When this letter has been read among you,” which assumes that the letter would be read out loud in the gathering. Most people in the first century could not read for themselves, and письменные texts were usually heard rather than studied silently. So Paul is describing a normal moment of worship, where the community sits together and listens to the apostle’s words.
The next phrase, “cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans,” asks for a deliberate act of sharing. Paul does not leave it to chance. He wants the Colossian leaders to make sure the letter reaches the believers in the nearby city of Laodicea. The verse also reminds readers that these churches were connected, and that one congregation’s teaching was meant to strengthen another.
The final clause asks the Colossians to “read the letter from Laodicea” too. This shows that the apostolic network was a two-way exchange, with each church receiving and learning from the others. The verse does not promise any specific blessing or outcome. It simply describes how faithful communities were to share their shared Scripture and instruction.
The Context of Colossians 4:16
The letter to the Colossians is traditionally attributed to Paul, written while he was in prison, and it was addressed to a church he had not personally founded. The main concern of the letter is to affirm the supremacy of Christ over all things and to warn against teachings that pushed believers toward human traditions and spiritual elitism. The closing greetings in chapter 4 show how deeply Paul cared for a network of churches across the Lycus Valley.
Just before this verse, Paul greets people in Laodicea and Hierapolis, and he commends Epaphras for his prayerful labor on their behalf. Just after it, he addresses Archippus with a specific word about his ministry and signs the letter with his own hand, asking them to remember his chains. Seen in this setting, the instruction about reading letters is part of a warm, personal conclusion rather than a dry administrative note.
Key Phrases in Colossians 4:16
1 Thessalonians 5:27
I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
(WEB)
In this closing charge, Paul asks that his letter be read to all the brothers and sisters. It echoes the same concern that the apostolic teaching be shared openly within the church, showing that this was a consistent part of his pastoral care.
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.
(WEB)
This verse pronounces a blessing on the one who reads aloud the prophecy and on those who hear it. It highlights the spiritual value of public reading of Scripture, which connects closely with the practice Paul describes in Colossians.
A Short Prayer From Colossians 4:16
Lord, thank you for giving us your written word and for the faithful people who have shared it with us across many generations. Help us to read and listen with open hearts, whether we are gathered with our church family or reading alone at home. Make us generous in passing on what has helped us, and humble enough to receive wisdom from those we might not expect. May your word connect us to one another and draw us closer to you. Amen.
