And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
Say to Archippus. The Colossians (not merely, the clergy) are directed-`Speak ye to Archippus.' Scripture belongs to the laity as well as the clergy: laymen may profitably admonish the clergy in particular cases when they do so in meekness. Archippus was perhaps prevented from going to the church assembly by weak health or age (Bengel). "Fulfil" accords with his ministry, being near its close (Colossians 1:25: cf. 'Introduction' and note, Philemon 1:2). However, "fulfil" may mean, as in 2 Timothy 4:5, "make full proof of thy ministry" - a monition perhaps needed by Archippus.
In the Lord - the element in which every work of the Christian, and especially the minister, is to be done (Colossians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 7:39; Philippians 4:2).