Colossians 4 · Verse 17

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, King James Version

Colossians 4:17 in other translations

BSB	Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
WEB	Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
ASV	And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
YLT	and say to Archippus, ‘See to the ministration that thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou mayest fulfil it.'
DARBY	And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, to the end that thou fulfil it.
BBE	Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.
Webster	And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.

What does Colossians 4:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. say to Archippus--The Colossians (not merely the clergy, but the laymen) are directed, "Speak ye to Archippus." This proves that Scripture belongs to the laity as well as the clergy; and that laymen may profitably admonish the clergy in particular cases when they do so in meekness. Bengel suggests that Archippus was perhaps prevented from going to the Church assembly by weak health or age. The word, "fulfil," accords with his ministry being near its close (Col 1:25; compare Phm 2). However, "fulfil" may mean, as in 2Ti 4:5, "make full proof of thy ministry." "Give all diligence to follow it out fully"; a monition perhaps needed by Archippus. in the Lord--The element in which every work of the Christian, and especially the Christian minister, is to be done (Col 4:7; 1Co 7:39; Php 4:2).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 17. And say to Archippus. Archippus is mentioned also in Phm 1:2. He is not elsewhere referred to in the New Testament, and nothing further is known of him.

Take heed to the ministry, etc. The Greek here is, τηνδιακονιαν 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"--(comp. Acts 1:17,25, 6:4, 20:24, 21:19, Rom 11:13, 1Cor 12:5, 2Cor 3:7-9, 4:1, 5:18; 2Cor 6:3, Eph 4:12) that he was not a deacon, properly so called, but that he was a preacher of the word. In Phm 1:2, he is mentioned by Paul as his "fellow-soldier," and it is evident that the apostle meant to speak of him with honour. There is no evidence, as has been supposed by some, that he intended to imply, by what he said, that he had been remiss in the performance of his duties; but the apostle doubtless meant to encourage him, and to excite him to increased ardour and zeal in the work of the Lord. Comp. 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 thou fulfil it. That there be nothing wanting, or lacking, in any of the departments of labour which you are called to perform.

(d) "Archippus" Phm 1:2 (e) "heed" 1Timm 4:14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 17 Say to Archippus - Who this person was we cannot tell; there have been various conjectures concerning him; some think he was bishop, or overseer of the Church at Colosse, in the absence of Epaphras. Whatever he was, it has been supposed that he had been remiss in discharging the duties of his office; and hence this direction of the apostle, which appears here in the light of a reprehension. But if the same person be meant as in the Epistle to Philemon, Plm 1:2, whom St. Paul calls his fellow laborer and fellow soldier, it cannot be supposed that any reproof is here intended; for, as the Epistle to the Colossians, and that to Philemon, were evidently written about the end of the year 62, Archippus could not be a fellow laborer and fellow soldier of the apostle at Rome, and yet a delinquent at Colosse at the same time. It is more likely, therefore, that the words of the apostle convey no censure, but are rather intended to stir him up to farther diligence, and to encourage him in the work, seeing he had so much false doctrine and so many false teachers to contend with.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 4:10-18

Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his…

Read the full comment on Colossians 4:10-18 →

Colossians 4:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532

εἴπατεeipatedo sayG2036

Ἀρχίππῳ·Archippōto Archippus;G751

βλέπεblepedo take heed toG991

τὴνtēntheG3588

διακονίανdiakonianministryG1248

ἣνhēnthatG3739

παρέλαβεςparelabesyou have receivedG3880

ἐνeninG1722

κυρίῳ,kuriō[the] Lord,G2962

ἵναinathatG2443

αὐτὴνautēnitG846

πληροῖς.¶plēroisyou may fulfill.G4137

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 4:17

Philemon 1:2
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
Acts 1:17
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Timothy 1:6
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2 Chronicles 29:11
My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Ezekiel 44:23-24
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. …
1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Archippus.
Phm 1:2
Take.
Le 10:3; Nu 18:5; 2Ch 29:11; Eze 44:23,24; Ac 20:28; 1Ti 4:16
1Ti 6:11-14,20; 2Ti 4:1-5
the ministry.
Ac 1:17; 14:23; 1Co 4:1,2; Eph 4:11; 1Ti 4:6,14; 2Ti 1:6; 2:2
fulfil.
2Ti 4:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Colossians 4:16
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Colossians 4:17
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
Colossians 4:18
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

Read all of Colossians 4

Colossians 4:17 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y decid á Archîpo: Mira que cumplas el ministerio que has recibido del Señor.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et dites à Archippe: Prends garde au service que tu as reçu dans le Seigneur, afin que tu l’accomplisses.
German Elberfelder 1871	und saget Archippus: Sieh auf den Dienst, den du im Herrn empfangen hast, daß du ihn erfüllest.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et dicite Archippo: Vide ministerium, quod accepisti in Domino, ut illud impleas.