Colossians 4:17 Commentaries: Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

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• ceived it from St. Paul, or perhaps Epaphras. The phrase is “in the Lord,” not “from the Lord.” Contrast Galatians 1:12, “I received it not from man, neither was I taught but by revelation of Jesus Christ.”

• nt that the Colossians should encourage Archippus to diligence, because the false teachers at Colosse were very active in spreading their errors. And their opinion derives probability from the respectful manner in which Archippus is addressed in the epistle to Philemon, which was written about this time, and sent with the epistle to the Colossians.” Take heed — It is the duty of the flock to try th

• He also enjoins them to advise or advertise Archippus, whom he doth elsewhere call his fellow soldier, i.e. minister in the gospel, Philemon 1:2, on his and Timothy’s behalf, to see to, or be mindful of, the nature of that excellent ministry he had undertaken, Romans 11:13 Ephesians 3:7 1 Timothy 4:6; yea, and to be more heedful, Acts 20:28,29 1 Peter 5:1,2, considering the authority of the Lord Jesus, in whose name he had been called to it, and intrusted with it, Matthew 9:38 Philippians 1:17 1 Timothy 5:1,21; having been colleague to Epaphras, or in his absence newly received into this sacred charge, to encourage him to a faithful discharge of his duty therein, to fill up all the parts of his office, and leave none of them unperformed: see Colossians 1:25 1 Corinthians 9:16,17 1 Timothy 4:16, with 2 Timothy 4:5.