I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
I charge, х enorkizoo (G1774a)] - 'I adjure you.'
Read unto all - namely, publicly in the congregation. The aorist х anagnoostheenai (G314)] implies a single act done at a particular time. The earnestness of his adjuration implies how solemnly important he felt this divinely-inspired message. Also, as this was the FIRST of the New Testament letters, he gives a solemn charge that its being publicly read should be a sample of what should be done with the others; just as the Pentateuch and the Prophets were publicly read under the Old Testament, and are still read in the synagogue (Luke 4:16; Acts 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:15; Colossians 4:16). Cf the same injunction as to the Apocalypse, the LAST of the New Testament canon (Revelation 1:3). The "all" includes women and children, especially those who could not read it themselves (Deuteronomy 31:12; Joshua 8:33-35). What Paul commands with an adjuration, Rome forbids under a curse (Bengel). Though these letters had difficulties, the laity were all to hear them read (1 Peter 4:11; 2 Peter 3:16), even the very young (2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:15). "Holy" is omitted before "brethren" in 'Aleph (') B Delta G f g. A C, Vulgate, support it.