Colossians 4:17

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.

Archippus may have been at Laodicea, but, as Peake said, "probably not," as otherwise he would have been mentioned along with Nymphas in Colossians 4:15.[27]

This verse establishes the principle that a church is responsible for admonishing and encouraging ministers, nor is it evident here that Archippus was in any way standing in special need of encouragement.

From Philemon 1:1:2, where Archippus is mentioned along with Philemon and Apphia in a manner suggesting that he may have been their son, it is also concluded that Archippus had had previous service together with Paul.[28]

Several interesting speculations have risen around the name of Archippus, but they are of no value.

[27] A. S. Peake, op. cit., p. 547.

[28] The New Bible Dictionary, op. cit., p. 77.