19 July 2026

The Oldest Manuscripts the Most Accurate? (TMF:2925)

Friday, July 24, 2026

Peace to Live By: The Oldest Manuscripts the Most Accurate? (TMF:2925) - Daniel Litton
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One reason for this belief is that supposedly the earliest manuscripts don’t include the city of Ephesus in the beginning of the letter. Of course, care needs to be taken in accepting that, because it has also been purposed that some of the earlier manuscripts that we have were actually Gnostic manuscripts, and may be corrupted to some degree. And it is then argued that this is why the King James Version would be a more accurate translation because it doesn’t rely in anyway on those earlier manuscripts. This has not be personally studied, but it does sound like it could be possible. Seems a reasonable assumption the Gnostics would have corrupted the very Scriptures themselves, and remember, that just because something is the oldest doesn’t necessary mean that it’s the most accurate. And, what if the Spirit of God wanted something added before the “inspiration” of the document was closed? Ever think about that?

Was the Laodicea Letter Really Ephesians? (TMF:2924)

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Peace to Live By: Was the Laodicea Letter Really Ephesians? (TMF:2924) - Daniel Litton
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Regardless, Paul mentions a letter from Laodicea, and that the Colossians should also read that letter. Obviously, this is a letter that’s not in the Bible, not in the New Testament canon. So, even if we had it, it wouldn’t be inspired from the Spirit of God, but certainly would be interesting. Surprisingly, some theologians seem to think that this letter might actually already be in our Bibles. That is, some think that this letter from Laodicea that Paul is referring to is Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, and that it was a circulating letter that just happened to be currently in Laodicea. One reason for this belief is that supposedly the earliest manuscripts don’t include the city of Ephesus in the beginning of the letter. Of course, care needs to be taken in accepting that, because it has also been purposed that some of the earlier manuscripts that we have were actually Gnostic manuscripts, and may be corrupted to some degree. And it is then argued that this is why the King James Version would be a more accurate translation.

Reading Colossians in a Public Way, Part 2 (TMF:2923)

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Peace to Live By: Reading Colossians in a Public Way, Part 2 (TMF:2923) - Daniel Litton
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But it definitely seems to shed new light on a Biblical book when it is read out loud, or in our case in present day to listen to an audio version of the book. When it is heard out loud, it seems to sometimes change the way the information is interrupted. One thing for sure is that it brings a greater collective or communal vibe over the text rather than that individual vibe we are very used to in reading the text over and over to ourselves. Interestingly, the speaker came across an interesting piece of information lately (and it’s not recalled from where) that said the personal reading of documents is more of a modern thing, say in the last several hundred years. The personal reading of documents doesn’t appear to have existed much at all in prior times, but that most documents were read publicly. Pretty interesting that is, and something that folks might want to look into on their own time. Regardless, Paul mentions a letter from Laodicea, and that the Colossians should also read that letter. Obviously, this is a letter that’s not in the Bible, not in the New Testament canon.

Reading Colossians in a Public Way, Part 1 (TMF:2922)

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Peace to Live By: Reading Colossians in a Public Way, Part 1 (TMF:2922) - Daniel Litton
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Verse 16: “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea” (ESV). A couple of points can be noted. The first is that it would appear that this letter Paul is sending to the Colossians is to be read publicly before the church, much like a sermon is delivered. It could also be the case that the letter would be passed around one on one and read by the members. That’s possible, and probably did happen to come degree. We are a little less familiar, it would seem, to having the public reading of a letter in our day and age. In 1700 and 1800s America, it probably would have been a more common occurrence. We are familiar with people standing up and reading prepared statements, but that’s probably about as close as it gets for us. Those are usually short. But it definitely seems to shed new light on a Biblical book when it is read out loud, or in our case in present day to listen to an audio version of the book.

Nympha, & The Church in Her House (TMF:2921)

Monday, July 20, 2026

Peace to Live By: Nympha, & The Church in Her House (TMF:2921) - Daniel Litton
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Unfortunately, we don’t know anything about Nympha other than that they were an off-shoot of the Colossae church which met in her house. Probably good times being so close-knit. It doesn’t seem reasonable, in our context of this Letter from Paul to the Colossians, to suggest that Nympha was the leader, or head pastor of the church. We know that elsewhere, specifically to Timothy and also to the Corinthians, that God guided Paul to prohibit women from teaching, and this would probably count for any leadership role that would have authority over men or lead to standing in front of men to give an account. We also know, and this as been touched upon in the past, the God certainly appears to call women to be Bible teachers and to leadership roles in our day and age, and at least in America and western societies. This is an interesting contrast, but it is one that is experientially true. For the speaker himself has benefited greatly from specifically a couple women teachers in his lifetime thus far.