Fulfill Your Calling

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” Colossians 4:17

The words that you have just read were written by the apostle Paul when he was in prison in Rome. Two evidences of his imprisonment that are found in the letter are the mention of his chains (Col. 4:3, 18) and the reference to a fellow prisoner named, Aristarchus (Col. 4:10). Paul’s letter was addressed to the believers in Colosse (Col. 1:2). Epaphras, whom Paul described as “our dear fellow servant” (Col. 1:7) brought the gospel to this city. The contents of the letter indicate that there were some doctrinal problems in the church. Paul, through his teaching, sought to correct these errors. Toward the end of the letter Paul took a moment to address the need of an individual in the church named Archippus. 

We do not know very much about this man. He is mentioned in Colossians 4:17 and again in the book of Philemon (v. 2), but these are the only references to him in the Bible. We do not know exactly who he was but we do know that he had a call on his life. Our text makes that clear. The call he received was to a specific ministry, but we are not told what it was. We do know two other things. First, that Paul was aware of this man’s calling and second, that Archippus was not fulfilling it. 

Colossians 4:17 is not an especially long verse but we can learn a number of significant things from it. One truth that we can glean from it is that it is possible for us as believers to know what God has called us to. Archippus knew what the Lord called him to do. This should be a comfort to us. God does not want his will for us as individuals to be a mystery. However, there is also an uncomfortable truth here. The uncomfortable truth is that others can also know what God has called to do and they are watching us. 

A number of New Testament churches met in homes (Rom.16:5; 1 Cor. 16:9; Col. 4:15). It seems that Archippus was also part of a house church (Phlm. 2). Because churches met in homes many congregations were relatively small in number. This being the case one could not get “lost in the crowd.” If the people in the church at Colosse were not aware that Archippus had received a specific calling from the Lord they would know it after Paul’s letter arrived, because the letter was read publicly to the congregation (Col. 4:16). If Archippus was present when Paul’s letter was read how would you like to have been him? I imagine that some of us would have felt quite uncomfortable in that situation. It seems embarrassing. Paul called attention to the fact that Archippus was not completing the work that he had received in the Lord. Please note that Paul did not say that he was not doing what he had been called to do, but rather that he had not completed what he had been called to do. 

The text does not tell us why he was not completing his ministry. He could have become busy with other things, lazy, or fearful. Or, he could have encountered opposition. It is also possible that he may have become discouraged by an apparent lack of fruitlessness in the ministry or a lack of support of his work. Any one of these things could have taken a toll on his ministry. These same things can be problems to believers today. 

Paul, writing from many miles away, sought to spur Archippus on in his work. There are some positive elements in this verse that we need to note. Colossians 4:17 shows us that Paul had not given up on him. Paul did not say, “You know the ministry that Archippus was supposed to do? Give it to someone else.” The admonition for him to complete the work he received in the Lord was in one sense a vote of confidence. Paul’s message was basically “God called you. You can do it, now get to it!” The apostle’s primary purpose in writing his letters was always redemptive. He sought to obtain positive results, the things the Lord desired. 

Our text also indicates that God had not given up on Archippus. Paul wrote the text under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It was so important for Archippus, and the people he was supposed to minister to, that he get back on track with his ministry that the Lord granted him time in heaven. The Lord took the time to speak to Paul so that he would send a message to Archippus through the letter. In Colossians 4:17 the Lord, the ultimate source of the message, was urging Archippus on. 

The message was initially communicated to the church in Colosse, but Paul urged the members there to communicate the message to Archippus. He would thus receive multiple reminders to fulfill his calling. One of the lessons we can learn from this text is that there are times when we need other people in the community of faith to help us reach our full potential in God. We need people to encourage us and remind us of what the Lord has called us to and gifted us for. 

Archippus was a steward; he had received a sacred trust. Stewards are supposed to be faithful. This was what was expected of Archippus and it is also expected of each of us. Every believer has been called and gifted by God for Christian service. The Lord has given each of us what we need in order to accomplish his purposes. This is true whether the ministry he has assigned to us is long term or short term. The Lord will strive with each of us to fulfill our calling. He may do this by dealing with us directly or he may speak to us through a brother or sister in the church. So if you hear the voice of the Lord in prayer or through a Christian friend do not dismiss it, instead, respond in obedience. This is important for a number of reasons. As believers we are accountable to God and we are supposed to bring him glory. Also, our obedience will be blessing to us and to the people we minister to. 

Every ministry is essential (or the Lord would not call people to them). May we all seek to have the testimony that Jesus had, in John 17:4 he said “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” What a great statement! May we desire to do the same, and as circumstances might require let us purpose to encourage one another and help one another to fulfill the call of God on our lives. That is one of the purposes of the church (Heb. 10:24-25) and doing so will help bring the Kingdom of God to earth.