The English proto-Reformer included Laodiceans in his Bible version. The KJV is heavily influenced by Wycliffe, but does not include this book.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.
https://www.bible-glory.com/bible/apocr ... ceans.htmlFor centuries some Western Latin Bibles used to contain a small Epistle from Paul to the Laodiceans. The oldest known Bible copy of this epistle is in a Fulda manuscript written for Victor of Capua in 546. It is mentioned by various writers from the fourth century onwards, notably by Pope Gregory the Great, to whose influence may ultimately be due the frequent occurrence of it in Bibles written in England; for it is more common in English Bibles than in others. John Wycliffe included Paul's letter to the Laodiceans in his Bible translation from the Latin to English. However this epistle is not without controversy because there is no evidence of a Greek text.
There are several Epistles to the Laodiceans, but this is the main one. It was in the Vulgate as well, but there is no known Greek original.
So can we take this as fan fiction? I'll discuss it a bit more in the reply section.The epistle consists of twenty verses, and is described by Professors Rudolf Knopf (1874-1920) and Gustav Kruger (1862-1940) as "nothing other than a worthless patching together of (canonical) Pauline passages and phrases, mainly from the Epistle to the Philippians." The text was almost unanimously considered pseudepigraphal when the Christian Biblical canon was decided upon, and does not appear in any Greek copies of the Bible at all, nor is it known in Syriac or other versions. Jerome, who wrote the Latin Vulgate translation, wrote in the 4th century, "it is rejected by everyone". It was the opinion of M.R. James that "It is not easy to imagine a more feebly constructed cento of Pauline phrases."
( Other Apocrypha discussions
I discuss Tobit here
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=61165&p=1208262
and Psalm 151 here
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=63875&p=1204911 )
I quote the entire letter below. It is one of the shortest books to appear in the New Testament
Epistle to the Laodiceans
Paul, an apostle not of men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, unto the brethren that are at Laodicea. 1
Grace be unto you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2
I give thanks unto Christ in all my prayers, that ye continue in him and persevere in his works, looking for the promise at the day of judgement. 3
Neither do the vain talkings of some overset you, which creep in, that they may turn you away from the truth of the Gospel which is preached by me. 4
And now shall God cause that they that are of me shall continue ministering unto the increase of the truth of the Gospel and accomplishing goodness, and the work of salvation, even eternal life. 5
And now are my bonds seen of all men, which I suffer in Christ, wherein I rejoice and am glad. 6
And unto me this is for everlasting salvation, which also is brought about by your prayers, and the ministry of the Holy Ghost, whether by life or by death. 7
For verily to me life is in Christ, and to die is joy. 8
And unto him (or And also) shall he work his mercy in you that ye may have the same love, and be of one mind. 9
Therefore, dearly beloved, as ye have heard in my presence so hold fast and work in the fear of God, and it shall be unto you for life eternal. 10
For it is God that worketh in you. 11
And do ye without afterthought whatsoever ye do. 12
And for the rest, dearly beloved, rejoice in Christ, and beware of them that are filthy in lucre. 13
Let all your petitions be made openly before God, and be ye steadfast in the mind of Christ. 14
And what things are sound and true and sober and just and to be loved, do ye. 15
And what ye have heard and received, keep fast in your heart. 16
And peace shall be unto you. 17
The saints salute you. 18
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit. 19
And cause this epistle to be read unto them of Colossae, and the epistle of the Colossians to be read unto you. 20