Archippus
And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry that you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. -Col 4:17
The closing of many Epistles is often overlooked in the study of Scripture. We spend hours digging through the commands, doctrine communicated, and theologically rich greetings, but gloss over the “people” part of the letter. However, there are brilliant and worthy truths to be gained from the admonishments tucked away in the closing remarks.
This verse has been a foundational truth as I have walked in ministry for the past 20 years. I can’t recall how many years ago, but a good friend and I took Ann Voscamp up on the challenge and memorized the book of Colossians. It actually wasn’t that hard. 2 verses a week. The fruit of memorizing and chewing on those verses has been greater than I ever imagined when I began the laborious work of memorizing an entire book of the Bible. I have come back to many of the truths of Colossians and Col 4:17 is one of them.
So let’s dissect this verse. First of all, it’s directed to a person, the man Archippus. Where else do we see his name? In the book of Philemon, where he is referred to as a fellow soldier (1:2) by Paul. We can understand that this man was known to Paul, and needed admonishment. Does that ring out for anyone else?
Guilty hand raised.
I need admonishment.
Moving on to the command to take heed. Take heed (blepo) means to consider, stare at, discern. It’s not just a passing thought. Not to derail your mind, but the first time this word is used in the New Testament is by Jesus in Matt 5:28 when He says that if any man looks (blepo) on a woman to lust after her…. Blepo carries with it a weightiness of determined consideration, not a glance.
What is Archippus to take heed to? The ministry that he has received in the Lord. This is not a title that man has bestowed on him, or that he has fought hard to achieve. No, he has received this calling, this service from the Lord. And that is the most freeing and liberating line of this entire admonishment.
In the Lord. That means the power to walk in the calling is from Him, that means the outcome is to Him, and that means that Archippus need not be bound by man’s opinions, ways and definitions. His ministry was from the Lord and that is exactly where our minds need to be as we fulfill our ministry.
To close up this admonition Paul says “that he may fulfill it.” When will Archippus know that he has fulfilled this ministry? This side of heaven? Probably not. Most definitely he got glimpses of fulfillment, but the fullness he could not know. Paul uses this same phrase as he encouraged the Ephesian elders who came to see him in on his way to Jerusalem.
Acts 20:24-But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul was aware that he was going to suffer in Jerusalem, but he was so committed to the ministry that he had received that it didn’t deter him from walking in obedience. His physical comfort, his physical life was nothing more than a vessel that he could use to bring the spiritual truth to everyone he met. Paul would not see the full labor of his soul until he entered into eternity, and that compelled him to run his race WELL as he endured life on this earth.
Can I ask what ministry YOU have received in the Lord? It may not seem like a grand, life-consuming one, but that really does not matter. What matters is that your Lord has seen fit to give it to you. Will you work at it with all your might? Will you take His definition of success and walk by faith, eagerly awaiting heaven where you will get a better glimpse of just how far reaching your ministry was?
You are called to be obedient and faithful. Take heed. In the strength that He gives, fulfill your ministry.
