Charges and Directions (Colossians 4:16–17)

Col. 4:16. And when this letter is read among you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the one from Laodicea.

“It seems to me that something was written here (in the Epistle to the Colossians) that had to be heard also by these (Laodiceans); and for them there arose all the greater benefit when from the rebuke directed against others they learned their own shortcomings” (Saint Chrysostom). The needs, dangers, and weaknesses of both Churches were the same; therefore he commands both to read this Epistle, as profitable to both. The Apostolic writings belonged to all Churches or to the one Church of Christ. They all spread throughout the Church through copying. And special orders about this were not required. If the Apostle makes a special order, it is in this sense: do not wait until they think of copying this Epistle for themselves; send them the original quickly so they will read it quickly, because what is written to you is extremely necessary also for them. He does not mention the Hierapolitans because they were out of danger and could obtain a copy of the Epistle by the usual way.

“And see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.” Without doing violence to the text, one cannot believe that here is meant the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Laodiceans; but either the Epistle of the Laodiceans to Saint Paul, or an Epistle of Saint Paul from Laodicea, written by him to someone or somewhere, as Theophylactus supposes, thinking that the First Epistle to Timothy is meant here. All our other interpreters hold the first opinion. Saint Chrysostom says: Some rightly affirm that here is meant not an Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans, but their Epistle to Paul; for he did not say: the letter written to the Laodiceans, but says: “the letter from Laodicea.” In the same sense blessed Theodoret writes: “Others supposed that Paul wrote also to the Laodiceans, and for that reason present a forged Epistle. But the Divine Apostle said: the letter not to Laodicea but from Laodicea. For the Laodiceans wrote to the Apostle about something; probably they either accused the Colossians for what happened among them, or suffered from the same disease as they. Therefore the Apostle also commanded the Epistle to be read to them.” Thus Ambrosiaster, Oecumenius, and Photius via Oecumenius.

The Apostle writes indefinitely: την εκ Λαοδικειας—and the letter from Laodicea, read also yourselves. In speaking of the reading of his Epistle in the Church of Laodicea, he expressed it as εν τη Λαοδικεων—that is, in the Church, having believers in mind; but here he says only την εκ Λαοδικειας—the letter from Laodicea, not indicating persons or a person definitively. One can suppose that someone from Laodicea wrote anonymously to Saint Paul, depicting the calamity threatening the Church of Laodicea and Colossae from the false teachers. Epaphras, sent by those Churches to help Saint Paul, confirmed this. The Apostle writes the Epistle, directing it to the Colossians, but having in mind also the Laodiceans. The letter written to Saint Paul from Laodicea was entrusted by him to Tychicus, so that he would have it read to the Colossians, to clarify the content of his Epistle, for which reason it addressed these and those matters.

Col. 4:17. And say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which you received in the Lord, that you complete it.

Archippus, the son of Philemon, was probably a priest in Colossae. Wishing to make the Colossians more attentive to him, through them he delivers his admonition to him: “See that you complete the ministry,” that is, watch over the Colossians more carefully, do not spare them, but what requires correction, correct and improve: for you are doing God’s work, not your own. You received the ministry from the Lord; fulfill it as before the Lord, directing everything according to His will and to His glory. “And tell Archippus.” “Why does he not write to him? Probably because there was no need, but a simple reminder was sufficient to make him more diligent in his ministry, and them more obedient to him” (Saint Chrysostom, blessed Theophylactus). “To their leader through them themselves he urges that he care more about their salvation. Since the Epistle is written according to the needs of the flock, the Apostle directed it to the Church rather than to its pastor” (Ambrosiaster). “It is altogether for this reason the Apostle writes to them: ‘Tell Archippus,’—that when he begins to rebuke them for something, they not have grounds to murmur against him as a severe man filling them with bitterness, knowing that he was given such a command by Saint Paul and that their own mouths delivered to Archippus what Paul demands of him in relation to them. Thus to seal their mouths, Paul did most wisely by saying ‘Tell Archippus;’ although it is known to all that it is not fitting for disciples to speak about the affairs of the teacher” (blessed Theophylactus from Saint Chrysostom).

“See that you complete,” βλεπε—watch over. “This is everywhere a voice of warning and admonition, as for instance when he says: ‘Beware of dogs’ (Phil. 3:2); ‘See that no one takes you captive’ (Col. 2:8); ‘Be careful that this right of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak’ (1 Cor. 8:9). And in general the Apostle always expresses himself thus when he wishes to caution or warn. So also here” (Saint Chrysostom, blessed Theophylactus).

“See that you complete the ministry,” διακονιαν. “After Epaphras, who had watered the Colossians with the truths of faith, the care of the Church was entrusted to Archippus, and he accepted it” (Ambrosiaster). “Perhaps he was a bishop among them or bore some other ministry in the work of saving souls” (Photius via Oecumenius).

“The ministry that you have received from the Lord.” “From the Lord”—that is, through the Lord. He, that is, laid this obligation upon you, not we. “That you complete it,”—by keeping day and night zealous concern about it (Saint Chrysostom). See, fulfill as you should the work which you have accepted from the Lord. What is this work? To watch over the Colossians and care for them. The Apostle makes two admonitions with one word: “from the Lord:” it makes him more careful to fulfill his ministry as the Lord’s work; and it inclines them to submit to him more willingly, showing that the Lord has given them into his hands (blessed Theophylactus).

By tradition, Archippus was a bishop in Colossae after Epaphras. He suffered there as well from the Ephesian governor in the reign of Nero. His memory is on February 19 and November 22.