Colossians 4:17

Colossians 4:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
• New International Version (NIV)Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."
• New King James Version (NKJV)And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

Context of Colossians 4:17

15Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16When this letter has been read among you, see that it is read in the church of the Laodiceans; and also that you in turn read my letter [that is coming to you] from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See to it that you fulfill [carefully the duties of] the ministry which you have received in the Lord.” 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. May grace (God’s unmerited favor and blessing) be with you.

Colossians 4:17 word by word

καὶ εἴπατε Ἀρχίππῳ· βλέπε τὴν διακονίαν ἣν παρέλαβες ἐν κυρίῳ, ἵνα αὐτὴν πληροῖς.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• to ArchippusἌρχιπποςArchippos · ArchippusG751
• Take heed toβλέπωblepō · to seeG991
• the ministryὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the ministryδιακονίαdiakonia · serviceG1248
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• thou hast receivedπαραλαμβάνωparalambanō · to takeG3880
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• thou fulfilπληρόωplēroō · to fulfillG4137
• itαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Colossians 4:17

• Philemon 1:2and to [your wife] Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier [in ministry], and to the church that meets in your house:
• Leviticus 10:3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord said: ‘I will be treated as holy by those who approach Me, And before all the people I will be honored.’ ” So Aaron, therefore, said nothing.
• Numbers 18:5So you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar [of burnt offering and the altar of incense], so that there will no longer be wrath on the Israelites [as with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram].
• 2 Chronicles 29:11My sons, do not be negligent and careless now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in His presence, to attend to His service, and to be His ministers and burn incense.”
• Ezekiel 44:23The priests shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and teach them to distinguish between the (ceremonially) unclean and the clean.
• Acts 20:28Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.
• 1 Timothy 4:16Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
• 1 Timothy 6:11But as for you, O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.
• 2 Timothy 4:1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
• Acts 1:17For he (Judas) was counted among us and received his share [by divine allotment] in this ministry.”
• Acts 14:23When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].
• 1 Corinthians 4:1So then, let us [who minister] be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards (trustees, administrators) of the mysteries of God [that He chooses to reveal].
• Ephesians 4:11And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
• 1 Timothy 4:6If you point out these instructions to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished [through study] on the words of the faith and of the good [Christian] doctrine which you have closely followed.
• 2 Timothy 1:6That is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you through the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].
• 2 Timothy 2:2The things [the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others.

Commentaries on Colossians 4:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Say to Archippus - Who this person was we cannot tell; there have been various conjectures concerning him; some think he was bishop, or overseer of the Church at Colosse, in the absence of Epaphras. Whatever he was, it has been supposed that he had been remiss in discharging the duties of his office; and hence this direction of the apostle, which appears here in the light of a reprehension. But if the same person be meant as in the Epistle to Philemon…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17And say to Archippus - Archippus is mentioned also in Philemon 1:2. He is not elsewhere referred to in the New Testament, and nothing further is known of him. Take heed to the ministry … - The Greek here is, ̀ ́ tēn diakonian- meaning the office of ministering in divine things; but it is not certain precisely what office he held there. It seems probable from the language which the apostle applies to him - “the ministry” - (compare Acts 1:17, Acts 1:25…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-18Verses 10-18 Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his fellow-prisoner, and all his…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Archippus (see also Philemon 1:2): We do not have any way of knowing more information about the work the Lord assigned to him.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. say to Archippus--The Colossians (not merely the clergy, but the laymen) are directed, "Speak ye to Archippus." This proves that Scripture belongs to the laity as well as the clergy; and that laymen may profitably admonish the clergy in particular cases when they do so in meekness. Bengel suggests that Archippus was perhaps prevented from going to the Church assembly by weak health or age. The word, "fulfil," accords with his ministry being near its…Read the comment

Topics related to Colossians 4:17

• Archippus
• Minister, Christian
• Watchfulness

In the dictionaries

• In the Lord
• Archippus
• Fervently
• Greet
• Colossians, Epistle to the
• Heed
• Ministry
• Paul, the Apostle
• Philemon

Commentaries on Colossians 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings