And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
I have a letter from a southern plantation in 1838 that begins written to slave owners and ends with a request to say hello to the slaves for them. Paul made a similar request to the church in Colossae in about 61 AD. In a letter that began with the primacy of Jesus Christ, this mention of one of his servants, Archippus, is a stark contrast. Not much is known of him but he may have been in the family of Philemon, another famous slave owner, in whose home the church met. If these things are true, Archippus may well have been the pastor of the church. The word minister means to serve and Paul’s last words are written so Archippus is true to his calling as Paul was, in chains.
We are in a whirlwind of news about ministers who have failed to fulfill their ministries they have received in the Lord. I see one or two per week who fail. Paul wrote this with his own hand so it wouldn’t get lost in translation. It was of supreme importance because failed ministry by servants reflects poorly on the Master. We are slaves to the Master and we should want his name in the news, not our own. Whatever it is God has for you to do today, fulfill your ministry. Then you will hear well done good and faithful servant.
Dear Lord, thank you for calling us all to ministry. May we serve you for the lifting of your name, not ours. We pray this in the Master’s name, Jesus. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church