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Colossians 4 · a question people ask

"Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”" (4:17). What was the ministry?

In the text

The letter doesn't say. The verse gives only the message for Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it." (4:17), and the letter names him nowhere else. These notes say nothing more about him or the ministry than the verse says.

The verses

“Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.””
Colossians 4:17 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Colossians 4

Colossians 4: A door for the word

Colossians opens and closes with grace (1:2, 4:18). And it gives Epaphras near its start and Tychicus near its end the same words, beloved, faithful and servant, and calls each a fellow servant or fellow bondservant: the same Greek words both times (1:7, 4:7).

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions