No one is really sure who Archippus was, or what function he had in the church at Colosse, but the advice he received from the apostle Paul gives us an excellent framework for the way we are to live our lives.

    Archippus had received a ministry.  Some have thought this means he was a preacher.  But the word for ministry is the same word from which our word “deacon” comes.  It means service, and includes every kind of service, not just preaching.  I think it is interesting that Paul said it was received “in the Lord” rather than “from the Lord.”  That suggests that the ministry was given as a natural part of being a Christian.  Because he was in the Lord, he had received a ministry.  That makes this passage important to us.  We are in the Lord, and because of that each of us has received a ministry of some sort.

    Over the years, I have come across many Christians who did not know that every Christian has at least one gift, and that every gift is to be used in service.  I have seen some who were so moved by the realization that they are gifted for service that they broke down and cried.  But I have also seen many who don’t seem to care.  Paul was reminding Archippus of his ministry, and where it came from.  We need to be reminded also.

    He was commanded to focus on that ministry.  “Take heed” is simply the imperative form of the verb for see, or look at.  The thought here is not that of looking at something with his physical eyes, but looking with the eyes of the mind.  The idea is that the thing looked at is to be brought to the forefront of his thinking.  In other words, he is told to focus on his ministry.  He is to consider it so important that he thinks about it constantly.  It is to be a priority in his life.

    We understand that a preacher should focus on his ministry, giving it the priority in his life.  But this command is not referring to a preacher’s ministry.  It is referring to the kind of service that every Christian has received.  All of us are to focus on the ministry we have received in the Lord, giving it first place in our lives.  It is important because God gave it to us and gifted us for it.

    He was encouraged to engage in his ministry.  When Paul said, “that you may fulfill it,” he was not thinking of some final accomplishment by which Archippus would know he had reached the goal, and so had fulfilled God’s purpose for him.  He was thinking of the daily activity by which Archippus would engage in the ministry he had received.  The NAS margin translates the word “fulfill” with “continually fulfill.”  Each day God provides new opportunities.  Each day God provides what we need to grasp those opportunities.  Each day God is expecting us to continue fulfilling the ministry He has given.

    Ministry doesn’t have to be outstanding in the eyes of others.  But it must be important in our eyes.  So important that we will do our best daily in its fulfillment, and so find contentment in doing God’s will.

    Advice for Archippus.  It was good for him.  It is good for us.