Epistle to the Laodiceans

There is always much conversation from non-christians and even some Christians about the development of the canon of Holy Writ.  Which books, why, missing books, etc.  One of these famous epistles is Paul's to the Laodiceans.  There is even a fake epistle floating around the internet that even some Bible believers think may be the actual epistle Paul wrote.  However, there is one problem with this: did Paul write an epistle to the Laodiceans?

I say he didn't.  But I bet you are thinking of a verse in the book of Colossians that says he did.  Let's look at this verse and read it closely.

Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Did you see that?  Read it slowly...Paul says the epistle FROM Laodicea.  Paul does not say he wrote an epistle TO the Laodiceans and that he wants the Colossians to read as it is normally interpreted.  Paul tells those at Colosse to read an epistle that is from Laodicea.  What epistle could Paul be talking about?  Is there an epistle FROM Laodicea?  Yes there is; and it's already in the canon of scripture.

If you have a King James Bible that the publishers haven't taken the liberty to change words, you will notice the post script at the end of 1 Timothy:

The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

There you go: Paul's epistle from Laodicea is what we call 1 Timothy.  Now; did Paul write an epistle to the Laodiceans?  As I previously stated, I don't think so.  But if he did, there is not one verse of scripture to suggest such a thing.

Amen.