Rediscovering Archippus

At Maranatha Christian Academy, the 80-or-so student population (K-12) followed a self-paced curriculum incorporating an eclectic mix of English-language classics and missionary biographies.   As a student, I found myself captivated by a book called Twice Freed, written by Patricia St. John, a missionary to Morocco and author of many well-regarded books for children.

Twice Freed is a fictionalization of Paul’s letter to Philemon.  In it, the author weaves a dramatic story around Onesimus, Philemon’s runaway slave, his encounter with Paul, and his return to Colossae as a brother in Christ.  As a child, I was fascinated with this epic tale and filled with a deeper appreciation for the Bible and salvation.  I vividly recall sitting at my desk poring over Twice Freed and a pocket edition of the New King James Version.

Ever since, I have had a great fondness for the book of Philemon with its particular, personal nature, and its story of Onesimus–a striking, real-life, visual portrayal of the believers’ equal status in the new man.

Recently, I was reminded of this story while reading through the book of Colossians, a letter to the assembly meeting in Philemon’s house.  In my reading, I lingered over an obscure reference to Archippus, thought to be Philemon’s son (Philemon 1-3) and a figure in the Onesimus story.

At the end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he inserts a word of public exhortation to “our fellow soldier,” the young Archippus, writing:

And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.” — Colossians 4:17

While searching the internet, I found some teachers offering this verse as evidence of Archippus’ clerical position, suggesting that Paul intended to bestow his approval on an impressive preaching capacity.

But is this really the purpose of Paul’s public charge?

After much consideration, I reached a very different conclusion on Paul’s exhortation and Archippus‘ significance.  Rather than a myopic “shout-out” to an up-and-coming preacher, this verse is a charge and encouragement to all believers.

Come back next week as I apply Archippus‘ situation to brothers and sisters like you and me . . . .