Archippus

A disciple at Colossae who appears twice in Paul's prison letters — once as the recipient of a public charge to fulfill his service, and once in the household greeting that opens Philemon.

A Charge to Fulfill His Service

The closing instructions of Colossians turn from the church as a whole to one named member: "And say to Archippus, Take heed to the service which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it" (Col 4:17). The charge is sent through the congregation rather than spoken to him directly, so the church carries it. The content is a single demand: heed the service already received, and complete it.

Fellow-Soldier in Philemon

The salutation of Philemon names Archippus alongside Philemon and Apphia and identifies him by a military image: "and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in your house" (Phm 1:2). He is set beside Paul and Timothy in the work — "fellow-soldier" — and stands in the household salutation alongside the church that meets in the house.