And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

COLOSSIANS 4:17KJV
Know the Bible

Colossians 4:17 (KJV)

What does Colossians 4:17 mean?

Colossians 4:17 is a direct instruction to Archippus, telling him to pay careful attention to the ministry or service he has received from the Lord and to make sure he completes it. The verse highlights the importance of faithfully carrying out responsibilities given by God.

Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, singles out Archippus by name at the end of his letter. This public mention suggests Archippus had a specific role or task in the church, and Paul wanted both Archippus and the congregation to recognize the seriousness of finishing what God had given him to do.

The Greek behind Colossians 4:17

  • Ἀρχίππῳ (Archippō, "Archippus"): Naming Archippus directly makes the message personal and public, showing the community’s awareness of his responsibility.
  • βλέπε (blepe, "take heed"): This Greek word means to watch carefully or pay attention, emphasizing active, ongoing vigilance rather than a one-time check.
  • διακονίαν (diakonian, "ministry"): This word often refers to service or a specific task, not just a formal office. It suggests Archippus’s work could be practical service, teaching, or another role.
  • πληροῖς (plērōis, "fulfil"): The Greek carries the sense of bringing something to completion or making it full, stressing that Archippus should not leave his work unfinished.

Why Colossians 4:17 matters

  • Colossians 4:17 clears up that spiritual or church responsibilities are not just private matters; the whole community can be involved in encouraging faithfulness.
  • The verse highlights that receiving a ministry "in the Lord" means the task is given by God, not just by people, which adds weight to the responsibility.
  • By placing this instruction at the end of the letter, Paul connects it to his broader message about serving Christ and supporting one another in the church.

Where else these words appear

“Archippus” Greek G751 · used in 2 verses

  • Philemon 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

“ministry” Greek G1248 · used in 32 verses

  • Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
  • Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
  • 2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

“received” Greek G3880 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
  • Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
  • Acts 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

“fulfil” Greek G4137 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
  • Acts 19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.