John Calvin 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)

Say to Archippus. As far as I can surmise, this Archippus was, in the meantime, fulfilling the role of pastor during Epaphras's absence. However, perhaps he was not naturally inclined to be sufficiently diligent on his own without being spurred on. Paul, accordingly, wanted him to be more fully encouraged by the exhortation of the whole church.

He could have admonished Archippus in his own name individually, but he gives this charge to the Colossians so that they may know that they themselves must offer encouragement if they see their pastor is cold, and that the pastor himself does not refuse to be admonished by the church. For the ministers of the word are endowed with notable authority, but an authority that, at the same time, is not exempt from laws. Therefore, it is necessary that they show themselves teachable if they are to teach others properly.

Regarding Paul again drawing attention to his bonds, he implies by this that he was considerably afflicted. For he was mindful of human weakness, and without doubt he felt some twinges of it in himself, given how urgent he was that all godly people should be mindful of his distresses. It is, however, no evidence of distrust that he seeks from all sources the help that the Lord had appointed for him.

The subscription, with his own hand, means, as we have seen elsewhere, that even then, false letters were circulating, so it was necessary to guard against deception.