Colossians 4:17

“And say to Archippus, etc.] A name common among the Grecians. This person the apostle calls his fellow soldier, in (<570102>Philemon 1:2) and who was now the minister of the Gospel at Colosse, his fellow minister, or co-pastor Epaphras, being at Rome, and a prisoner there; though by some he is said to be the first bishop of the Laodiceans, but it seems most likely that he now resided at Colosse, and was their minister: who being negligent in his office, they are called upon to say unto him, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. The “ministry” he had, was not that of the office of a deacon, as some have thought, but of a preacher of the word; and…”

“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 Plm 1:2). However, "fulfil" may mean, as in Ti2 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…”

“And say to Archippus - Archippus is mentioned also in Philemon 1:2. He is not elsewhere referred to in the New Testament, and nothing further is known of him. Take heed to the ministry ... - The Greek here is, τὴν διακονίαν tēn diakonian - 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” - (compare Acts 1:17, Acts 1:25; Acts 6:4; Acts 20:24; Acts 21:19; Rom 11:13; 1 Corinthians 12:5; 2 Corinthians 3:7-9; 2Co 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18; 2 Corinthians 6:3; Ephesians 4:12), that he was not a deacon, properly so called, but that he was a preacher of…”

“And say to Archippus - One of the pastors of that church. Take heed - It is the duty of the flock to try them that say they are apostles to reject the false, and to warn, as well as to receive, the real. The ministry - Not a lordship, but a service; a laborious and painful work; an obligation to do and suffer all things; to be the least, and the servant, of all. In the Lord - Christ by whom, and for whose sake, we receive the various gifts of the Holy Spirit. Next: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1”

“4:17 Archippus: See also Phlm 1:2. We have no way of knowing more about the ministry the Lord gave him.”

“Archippus: Plm 1:2 Take: Lev 10:3; Num 18:5; Ch2 29:11; Eze 44:23, Eze 44:24; Act 20:28; Ti1 4:16; Ti1 6:11-14, Ti1 6:20; Ti2 4:1-5 the ministry: Act 1:17, Act 14:23; Co1 4:1, Co1 4:2; Eph 4:11; Ti1 4:6, Ti1 4:14; Ti2 1:6, Ti2 2:2 fulfil: Ti2 4:5 Colossians 4:18”