Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 4:17

"And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it." — Colossians 4:17 (ASV)

And say to Archippus. Archippus is also mentioned in Philemon 1:2. He is not referred to elsewhere in the New Testament, and nothing further is known of him.

Take heed to the ministry, etc. The Greek term here is thn diakonian, meaning the office of ministering in divine things; but it is not certain precisely what office he held there. It seems probable, from the language which the apostle applies to him—the ministry (compare Acts 1:17, 25; Acts 6:4; Acts 20:24; Acts 21:19; Romans 11:13; 1 Corinthians 12:5; 2 Corinthians 3:7–9; 2 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18; 2 Corinthians 6:3; Ephesians 4:12)—that he was not a deacon, properly so called, but that he was a preacher of the word.

In Philemon 1:2, Paul mentions him as his fellow-soldier, and it is evident that the apostle meant to speak of him with honor. There is no evidence, as some have supposed, that he intended to imply by what he said that Archippus had been remiss in performing his duties. Instead, the apostle doubtless meant to encourage him and to excite him to increased ardor and zeal in the Lord’s work. Compare this with the comments on Acts 20:28.

It is always proper to caution even the most faithful and self-denying servants of the Lord to take heed, or see to it, that they perform their duties with fidelity. The office of the ministry is such, and the temptations to unfaithfulness are so great, that we need constant watchfulness.

That you fulfill it. This means that nothing should be wanting or lacking in any of the departments of labor which you are called to perform.