Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Archippus, to whom Paul sends a special message, appears again in Phm 2. From the context there some think he was a member of Philemon’s household, perhaps even Philemon’s son.

The present verse implies that he had some ministerial responsibility in the Colossian church, though Paul gives no definite information about it. Perhaps he was serving as pastor in the absence of Epaphras. Paul tells the Colossian church to instruct Archippus to “complete” the work assigned him. Whether this implies a degree of failure on the part of Archippus or is written only to indicate Paul’s full support of this man, we do not know.