D. Instructions to Area Churches (4:16)

The neighboring church of Laodicea has been mentioned twice previously in this letter (2:1; 4:13). Obviously, Paul’s concern extends beyond the Colossians. This verse suggests that Paul had written the Laodiceans a letter that is no longer extant. He proposes an exchange of letters for the mutual edification of Laodicea and Colosse and calls for a public reading of these.