Archippus

Ernst-August Bremicker

We only read of Archippus in two verses (Philemon 2; Col. 4:17). As a result, we know relatively little about him. Nevertheless, from what is stated in these two verses there are important lessons.

A fellow soldier

First, we can learn something positive from Archippus. In Philemon, Paul describes him as his fellow soldier. What a beautiful distinction for a child of God to be a fellow soldier in Christian warfare. We are not told what his struggle involved, although it seems reasonable to assume that he fought together with the apostle in the gospel. This warfare still exists, and we may fight it not only alone but together with others. But we should also think of the contending for the ‘faith once delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3), i.e. for the deposit of faith that has been entrusted to us. How the truth of the Word of God is increasingly questioned and attacked in our days — even by those who call themselves Christians! That is why this contending is also very relevant and important. 

To contend involves making an effort. Our life as Christians is not a comfortable walk but related to contending, effort and even warfare (Eph. 6). Are we ready to face these things? Archippus was. He joined the Apostle Paul in his battle and is therefore called a fellow soldier. We, too, are not alone today, neither in the effort to spread the gospel, nor that of standing up for the truth of God’s Word. God places brothers and sisters by our side with whom we may join forces and make common cause. It is a privilege to have fellow soldiers by our side — both for our encouragement and so that we may be a help to them.

Possible dangers

Considering Archippus may also help us to avoid possible dangers in service. In Colossians, he is exhorted: ‘See to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may fulfill it’ (4:17 NASB). Therein lies a warning to Archippus that may speak to our hearts as well. Just as Archippus had received a ministry in the Lord at that time, each of us today has also been entrusted with a ministry (i.e. a service) from Him. No believer can say: ‘The Lord cannot (or will not) use me.’ The Lord wants to use each of us, me in one way, you in another. Our responsibilities may be different, but that does not change the fact that we have all been given an area of service. If we do not believe this, or do not know what the Lord would have us do, we should ask Him to show us!

When Paul gave the exhortation to Archippus, we do not know what the problem was with him. There may have been various reasons for the apostle’s admonition. For example:

• Archippus may have been busy with other things and forgotten about his work for the Lord. The emphasis would then be on the word ‘service’.
• Alternatively, it could be that he was so preoccupied with the service of others that he neglected his own work. The emphasis would then be on the word ‘you’. 
• Last, it is also conceivable that Archippus started the service committed to him but did not complete it. In this case, the crux of Paul’s exhortation was the word ‘fulfil’. 

Let us consider each danger in more detail, as each of us may face them.

Danger 1: We are so busy with other things that we forget about our service for the Lord.

The age in which we live is characterised by increasing complexity and mounting demands. Work, family and leisure may seem to take up all of our time, with the consequence that we may lack time for the things of the Lord if we are not careful. The affairs which occupy our lives may not be sinful in and of themselves — and of course we all need time for our families, friends and fellow-believers, we all need to carry out secular employment or other responsibilities as unto the Lord, if we are at school we need to study diligently, etc., and the Lord also understands that we need times of relaxation and recreation — but the question is how we prioritise things in our lives. If we are willing to find time to serve the Lord, we will be able to make that time available. If other things are more important to us, we will always come up with plausible excuses (or so they will seem to us) as to why we neglect our service for our Master. Do we need to change our priorities?

Danger 2: We are so preoccupied with the service of others that we neglect our own service. 

We have already reminded ourselves that the ministries the Lord gives us are different. Perhaps the Lord has given our brother or sister a task that seems much more important than our own. It is easy for us to look (perhaps with envy, perhaps with admiration) at the ministry of others and to consider our own ministry so small that it is hardly worth the effort. However, we must remember that the Lord judges service differently from us. For Him, the key factor is how faithfully and dedicatedly we fulfil the task which He has given to us. A small service in our eyes can be of great importance to the Lord if we do it for Him and carry it out completely and with a loving heart. We should thank the Lord for what He does in the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters, but we should avoid being preoccupied with their service such that we consider our service to be inferior. When the Lord gives us a task — no matter how small and inconspicuous it may be in our eyes — it is always worth the effort for Him. After all, let us not forget that He is the commissioner, not us.

Danger 3: We start well in the service which the Lord has given us, but we do not complete it.

Many of us may have to confess that we know this situation from our own lives. The Lord shows us something that needs to be done, and we begin to tackle it with vigour and enthusiasm, but, in the course of time, our zeal wanes and we become tired and lose interest in the matter. Other things suddenly seem more important to us, and we do not fulfil our service. Sometimes God may test our perseverance in service. In any event, He always wants us to finish our work. The Lord Jesus is our perfect example in this. He could say to His Father: ‘I have completed the work which thou gavest me that I should do it’ (John 17:4). Let us be encouraged to carry out faithfully to the end each task commenced for Him. 

Conclusion

We are not told whether Archippus heeded the warning given to him. What matters is whether we are willing to learn from it for ourselves and for the Lord’s glory. After all, service for the Lord is not a goal in itself but should always be for His glory. 

From: Truth and Testimony, 2022