Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
Summary: Paul’s admonition for Archippus is an encouragement for all of us.
Who is Archippus?
In fact, we don’t know. What we do know is hardly worth mentioning.
In Philemon 1:2, Paul mentions Archippus as a “fellow soldier,” someone who appears to have taken up the cause of the gospel in a meaningful way.
The letter of Philemon also suggests that Archippus and Appia hosted a church in their home.
Finally, in today’s verse, Paul notes that Archippus has received a ministry “in the Lord.” Interestingly, Paul’s wording suggests that the ministry has an end date. At some point, it will be considered “complete.”
Instead of speculating on what ministry the Lord had assigned to Archippus, I think it is worth considering how Paul’s words might apply to you and me.
Each of us has a ministry. The nature of the great commandments guarantees that each of us has a task. Jesus summed it up this way:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22: 37-39)
Outside of loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, our task is to love our neighbors. That, my friends, is a ministry!
My wife and I were in the checkout line at the grocery a few days ago, and I noticed the woman in line ahead of us was struggling to get her groceries out of the cart and onto the conveyor at the checkout. Her right arm hung limply at her side, and even the simplest task seemed awkward and painful.
When I offered to help with her groceries, she smiled with relief and gratitude. Then, in the space of just a few seconds, she told me her life story.
Twenty years ago, her husband and step-father had been drinking and doing drugs when suddenly one of them beat and killed her mother and shot her through the head. She lay on the floor until the morning when the police were finally called. They thought she was dead until a slight movement caught their eye. Since then, she has undergone multiple surgeries.
You might think a person like that would have a reason to be bitter.
Not her!
She virtually glowed with God’s love! Happy to be alive, even with all her struggles, she overflowed with the joy of knowing the Lord, and she delighted in giving glory to God.
Her ministry that day was showing God’s love through her testimony. What is your ministry?
Application: Love your neighbor.
Food for Thought: Not everyone is called to preach or teach. What other kinds of ministries are there?
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The ministries are myriad. From selfless service of others to teaching children to cleaning bathrooms to evangelization, etc. The list is practically endless. The spiritual gifts are listen in 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; 1 Peter4. There are a lot of those too.
The important thing to do is whatever the Lord calls us to do in the moment. There will be many opportunities to minister today. Will I take them? I think that is the question.
Brother Rich,
You have come up with a great name for a church or outreach:
“Myriad Ministries” 🙂
Your point about hearing the Lord “in the moment” is an important one. Sometimes the noise in my head seems to drown out the Holy Spirit. I have to really listen.
I liked Rich’s answer. 🙂
I think wherever there is a need, there is an opportunity to minister. Spiritual needs, teaching, giving resources, sharing fellowship, counseling, giving assistance (as in your example)…all of these are ministries. Just as Christ ministers to us through the Holy Spirit, giving of Himself to meet our needs, we all have the opportunity to serve Him and help fill the needs of others.
Thanks Chris!
Perhaps the first person we minister to is ourselves. As we come to know the Lord better we are better suited to serving others.