“Take heed…that thou fulfill it!” (Colossians 4:17)
Archippus was a member of Philemon’s family, possibly his son, and ministered in the church at Colossae of Laodicea. Paul includes him in the same salutation with Philemon and Apphia, along with the church in Philemon’s house (Philemon 1:2). His name carries the meaning of “a master of horses”—one who was able to stand firm in the face of and control even the most difficult wild mustang. If Archippus had lived up to his name, he would have been a strong and effective leader of the Lord’s people, able to take command of situations and direct them for God’s glory through the fervent expansion of the Gospel. It is doubtful, however, if he ever rose to reflect the significance of his name. Apart from Philemon 1:2, the only other mention of Archippus in the Scriptures is found in Colossians 4:17. In his letter, Paul charges the Colossian church to exhort Archippus by exclaiming “take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it!”
The Danger at the Heels of the Minister
At best, Paul’s message for Archippus came from an understanding of the dangers that are ever present at the heels of the minister—to grow weary or be distracted from his calling. It could be that Paul’s only motivation was to encourage him to keep on being strong in his work. 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.
However, there seems to be greater indication that these words were targeted directly at this minister as one who had become remiss in discharging the duties of his office. It was probably a self-sparing and less zealous spirit in Archippus that led Paul to charge the church to exhort him to get busy doing what God called him to do. Archippus’ calling had been “received in the Lord,” but something eroded his way of living and ministering to the point that it no longer fulfilled his divinely appointed task. Archippus was to be clearly charged, “Take heed” (attend to with all diligence), “that thou fulfil it” (that there be nothing wanting, or lacking, in any of the departments of labor which you are called to perform).
A Floundering Servant
It could be that Paul’s pointed words to this floundering servant were motivated by what he was already beginning to see evidenced also in the life of Demas. Paul only mentions Demas in verse 14, without giving any special word of testimony or commendation. If he had concern for Demas at this time, Paul’s concerns were realized when he wrote several years later that Demas had forsaken the work for the love of this present world (2 Timothy 4:10).
According to tradition, Archippus has a sad note added to his life in that he is believed to be the “angel” (shepherd) of the Laodicean church that is reproved by the Lord in the third chapter of Revelation. John writes, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot…thou sayest, I am rich…and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:15,17).
Tumultuous Times Are Our Very Opportunity
As ministers of the Gospel, we are living in a challenging time for both life and ministry. Political instabilities shrouded in a global pandemic have created a profound fear and unrest in people’s hearts. However, these upheavals ought not unsettle faith-filled believers. These tumultuous times need to become the very opportunity we use to shine by living and verbally presenting to the world the wonderful Savior of peace and salvation. There are those around us who are experiencing a fear and hurt they have never felt before. This is an hour we must not allow to be wasted. We must not be stifled in our gospel work but must fulfill our ministry. We must not shelter away, but find ways to send forth the Gospel, fulfilling our ministry. We must not be dominated by fear, but boldly show forth the peace that comes from God’s care and fulfill our ministry.
Before his heaven-going, Dr. John Dreisbach taught us through his life and words the joyful primacy of gospel ministry. When he was once asked what his greatest fear was on the mission field, he responded:
I have never had any fear of physical harm or succumbing to some unfamiliar disease or circumstance of that kind. My greatest fear has always been that I would not be as zealous as I could be in proclaiming the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to be able to spend and be spent in making Christ known.
His greatest fear was not the harshness of the field, the hardness of the people’s hearts, the political opposition that was pitted against him, nor the plagues that constantly surrounded him. His only fear was becoming weary or distracted from his calling and falling short of completely fulfilling what the Lord of his life had given him to do.
Prepare Our Hearts for 2021
Fellow missionaries, let’s all prepare our hearts for 2021—a new year of unforeseen challenges, yet also of fresh and new opportunities to reach men for Christ. May we all take to heart the Holy Spirit’s command to every minister of the Gospel to “take heed to the ministry which thou hast (we have) received in the Lord…that thou (we) fulfill it!”