Pass It On

Colossians and Philemon

[1] Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, [2] To them which are at Colosse, Saints and faithful brethren in Christ: Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:1-2 GNV

Two letters were written, potentially sent by the same courier(s) to be delivered, one to this assembly of believers in Colosse, and the other to one of the leaders in that assembly who also had an assembly in his own house, Philemon.

[1] Paul a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and our brother Timotheus, unto Philemon our dear friend, and fellow helper, [2] And to our dear sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the Church that is in thine house:

Philemon 1:1-2 GNV

We know that another specific letter was written by the same human author(s) to go to an assembly in the city of Laodicea close to Colosse.

[16] And when this Epistle is read of you, cause that it be read in the Church of the Laodiceans also, and that ye likewise read the Epistle written from Laodicea.

Colossians 4:16 GNV

Theses Churches, assemblies, or congregations were instructed to read each other's letters by means of encouragement.

Just a quick look in an encyclopedia to see where Colosse and Laodicea were there is a modern day local sign nearby the site of Colosse which today tells that the entire city was destroyed by an earthquake in the year 100 A.D. never to be rebuilt.

While this letter was written in the mid-sixties A.D. for this congregation and had instructions to share with the nearby Laodicean congregation we know that it was meant for a church that would exist no more than about 35 years. This was not a surprise to God when He prompted Paul to write this letter. From being encouraged to share this letter with other congregations in those few short years we should recognize that today there are many congregations that need to continue to read, be edified, and to pass it on to yet others who need to read and be built up that very same way.

Pass It On