1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When 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. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
A city in western Turkey (formerly Asia Minor and Anatolia) in the Lycos Valley in the Roman province of Phyrgia. Laodicea was one of the seven congregations of Revelation (1:11, 3:14), a congregation possibly founded by Epaphras (Col 1:7 and 4:13). The city of Laodicea (Ad Lycum) had been founded by Antiochus II (261-246 BC) of Syria who named it after his wife Laodike; and he populated it with Syrians and with Jews, the latter which were transplanted from Babylonia. Laodicea, naturally lying on the major southern Anatolian highway and at a key junction, began to flourish after the Roman province of Asia was formed in 190 B.C. Thus Laodicea was especially known for its: fine black wool, Phrygian powder for the eyes manufactured there (Rev 3:18), and renowned school of medicine. An earthquake in AD 60 almost entirely destroyed Laodecia, however wealthy citizens rejected Rome’s aid and quickly rebuilt it at their own expense (see Rev 3:17). It was a city of great wealth, with extensive banking operations (see Rev 3:18). Little is known of the early history of the Messianic movement of Jews and God-fearers; however, Laodicea was made the bishopric of Phrygia and about 166 AD Sagaris, its bishop, was martyred. In 1071 Laodecia was taken by the Seljuks; in 1119 John Comnenus won it back for the Christians, and in the 13th century it fell into the hands of the Turks. The ruins, today called Eski Hissar or old castle, lie near the Turkish town Gonjelli, and they have long served as a quarry for the neighboring town of Denizli. Much can still be seen today from the Roman period, including an aqueduct bringing water across the valley by an inverted siphon of stone pipes, a theater, a stadium, a colonnade as well as a necropolis and ruins of three churches. Turkey announced in 2011 that a large church with 11 apses and a baptistery was discovered at Laodicea, tentatively dated to the fourth century. If the dating is correct, the church would have witnessed or even hosted the Council of Laodicea in AD 363-365. - BK