Nick Uva

In this series, we are exploring what it means to "take heed to your ministry," both on the level of principles and on the level of practicalities. Paul wrote, "And say to Archippus, 'Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.'" (Col. 4:17) By this apostolic command, the Holy Spirit told Archippus that the fulfillment of his ministry in the Lord depended on his taking heed to it.

In the last article we looked at the name of Archippus. Let's look now at the very beginning part of the verse, the command itself: "And say to Archippus..."

Greetings, farewells and instructions in the epistles are sometimes skimmed over or looked at just as matters of historical interest. I would challenge you to explore such passages more deeply. What does this command say about Paul, about the local church leaders at Colosse, and about Archippus?

For anyone who senses a call to a fivefold ministry of equipping the saints, this simple command reveals important things about healthy church life.

First, Paul is aware of the fact that Archippus needs encouragement and perhaps prodding from those in leadership in order to take heed to his ministry and fulfill it. Someone had cared enough about Archippus (and his potential) to bring his struggles to Paul's attention. It is also possible that Paul was aware of Archippus's needs through direct revelation from the Spirit. We know that Paul was a passionate intercessor who travailed in birth not only to see people saved, but to see Christ formed in them. From what we know of the depth of revelation he received on other matters, we may safely assume he was operating in what we now call "prophetic intercession" to an extremely advanced degree. The lesson for all those called to leadership and mentoring in the Body is obvious. You must know the condition of those whom God has given you to equip. If you do not know, you must find out, and pray and act accordingly.

Second, Paul cares enough about Archippus to even give the command. In saying what he said, Paul risked embarassing Archippus, who might have been offended at suggestions that he was not taking heed to his ministry. But Paul no doubt knew that only speaking the truth in love could give Archippus the spur that he needed to provoke him to good works. This is admittedly difficult, but a good leader must know when to speak the truth, even when he knows it may be received as cold water in the face instead of a cold glass of water to drink. Of course this must be done in the spirit of meekness and in love.

Third, the command assumes that there are people in the Colossian church who are in relationship with Archippus and will speak that word into his life. This meant that Archippus had peers or overseers locally who shared Paul's heart for the man and would take pains to see Archippus fulfill the Lord's call. It also meant that Paul had confidence in the local leadership and gave this command knowing that there were faithful men at Colosse who would relay it.

Fourth, the command gave recognition to the very real grace God had given Archippus. While there may be a hint in the command that Archippus is in danger of falling short, there is also heavenly affirmation that he has received a true ministry. Paul called it "the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord." Saints should be encouraged (within limits of wisdom) when it is apparent that they possess a real grace or anointing from the Lord in a particular area. Those with tender consciences fear to put their hands to the work until they feel more perfected or holy. They may be overly introspective and fearful that their ministry is the invention of their own carnal minds. Some others, zealous for God's honor, may fear that their ministry is a spiritual counterfeit, especially if it is more overtly supernatural. Many times we have heard a person say, "I don't want it to be me, I want it to be God," or something similar. Some feel that what they have been given is of little consequence and that they are wasting the church's time or being proud if they seek to develop what they have been given. Still others have encountered opposition and the church may need to know, for the sake of the truth, that they are being approved in the Lord or that their ministries are validly from God. In all these cases, honest encouragement, given without flattery, can make all the difference in the world. Leaders can do a great service when they can assure people (biblically and from their experience and discernment) that their ministry is a thing "they have received in the Lord."

Finally, we cannot doubt that Paul delivered this word at just the right time. Perhaps Archippus was in danger of growing cold, or maybe Paul perceived that it was time for Archippus to take a bigger step towards the fulfillment of God's purposes for him. Whenever giving such a potentially powerful word, you must seek God's best timing if at all possible.

Paul himself had been the beneficiary of just such a timely word - and we are all richer for it. When the Church realized that God had granted repentance to the Gentiles, Barnabas set out to seek Paul, and brought him to Antioch, where Paul could begin to participate in his ultimate sphere of ministry. (Read Acts 11 carefully.) Barnabas recognized that, after a long time "on the shelf," Paul must now be released and grow into the Apostle to the Gentiles. This was Paul's kairos time to be prepared for the fullness of his ministry, but Barnabas pulled him into it.

Let's pray for the development of a church environment in which we care for the spiritual health of our fellow saints - not only caring that they are progressing in holiness, but that they are progressing in laying hold of that for which God has laid hold on them. In fulfilling our callings we all need the encouragement - and sometimes the provocation - of our brothers. Even Paul needed to be told that the time had come to go to Antioch. If he had not done so, he would not have been taking heed to his ministry in order to fulfill it.