Accomplishment takes attention.
“And tell Archipus, ‘Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.’” – Colossians 4:17, CSB
“To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archipus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.” – Philemon 2
Who is this Archipus guy?
“Oh, and tell Archipus to pay attention…” Wait. Who? Who is Archipus, and what is this ministry he received from the Lord? He’s a part of the church in Colossae, but other than that, the little we know about him comes from a private letter Paul wrote to his family. He’s a part of the household of a Colossian man named Philemon, and they have a church gathering in their home (Philemon 2). Is Archipus Philemon’s son? Younger brother? A servant? We just don’t know, but Paul calls him a ‘fellow soldier.’ At the end, I’m going to share a bit of what I imagine about Archipus, just for fun. But we really don’t know, so for now let’s keep going.
Sovereignty, not passivity
Archipus has received a ministry ‘in the Lord.’ We might think, “Wow, then it’s pretty inevitable that whatever it is, the ministry will succeed,” and there is great Scriptural truth to the idea that what God sovereignly initiates He also completes (Philippians 1:6). God doesn’t just try to do something. That being said – and it definitely must be said –, we were never meant to take a passive approach to God’s calling and commission on our lives. “Pay attention to the ministry God entrusted to you,” says Paul. Before signing the letter to the church, this is his final instruction, a personal challenge to be passed along to his friend.
Give yourself to what God has given to you.
Like the talents entrusted to the servants in Jesus’ parable recorded in Matthew 25, Archipus must now use wisely, and serve intentionally with, what is now his delegated responsibility. Archipus has a part to play, and he can accomplish it as long as he gives himself to it.
Whatever God has entrusted to us, whether little or much in the eyes of others, is ours to fulfill. What God has given intentionally, we must intentionally make our focus and see to it. Wherever we are, with whatever we have, what do we do? Pay attention and serve faithfully with what God has given, trusting that He will help us accomplish His purpose in the ministry He has given.
Just for fun:
Archipus means ‘master of the horse.’ I imagine him as Archie, Philemon’s son, and maybe this is a nickname. Paul takes note of the young man and includes his ministry (referencing a previous conversation) in God’s great apostolic purpose. So maybe, just maybe, here in the powerful letter of Colossians, Paul tips the hat to his young friend, including the area of service God had given to him. Little guys and young ladies are just as included in the kingdom and purpose of God as their older brothers and sisters in Christ!
Think:
‘Pay attention’ doesn’t mean stressing or obsessing over the area of service God has entrusted to you. It does mean investing special attention, time, and effort. God is sovereign and we can entrust the outcomes into His capable hands, but whatever has been entrusted to you, you have freedom and challenge to develop. What do you need to pay attention to?
The word translated ‘ministry’ above literally means service. If you’re questioning what your ministry role should be, a good barometer is to ask who you are serving. Genuine ministry will not be about titles or positions but about offering service to God and to people.
Paul’s letter to the Colossians encouraged them to remind Archipus of his ministry. Archipus was likely part of the group listening to the letter being read. How encouraging it would be to have his role and service highlighted publicly! Has someone publicly encouraged you in your area of service? Who could you wisely build up with encouragement by publicly (or in a team meeting, etc.) highlighting God’s call on their lives? Give them public permission to run.
Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for giving me a part to play in serving Your people, partnering in Your sovereign purpose in the earth! Please help me to pay close attention to the service with which I have been entrusted. I want to actively engage, accomplishing everything You have put into my hand to do. I know that it’s ultimately Your divine power that accomplishes Your will, and I want to play my part in seeing it done. Finally, Lord, help me to take notice of the ‘Archies’ around me, valuing and recognizing the service of both old and young in Your church.”