4:17a
Tell Archippus: Archippus was a man who lived in Colossae. In this verse Paul wrote a message especially to him. Paul did not explain what work or ministry Archippus had, but he wanted to encourage Archippus to be faithful in his ministry.
4:17b
See to it: This means almost the same thing as “make sure that” in 4:16b. See the note there. Here are some ways you can translate it:
Make sure
-or-
Be careful
-or-
You must
the ministry you have received in the Lord: There are two main possibilities about what Paul meant when he said that Archippus had received a ministry in the Lord:
(1) It means “the work the Lord gave you.” The Lord was the one who gave him the job. For example:
Be sure to carry out the work the Lord gave you (New Living Translation (2004))
(Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004))
(2) It means “the work you have received as one who is united to the Lord,” or “to serve the Lord,” or “as a Christian worker.” For example:
Be sure to finish the task you were given in the Lord’s service (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, SSA)
Either of these interpretations is acceptable. The Display follows the first one (1). If you prefer to follow the second one (2), you could say:
Make sure you complete the task that you were given as the Lord’s servant.
the ministry: The Greek word diakonia that the Berean Standard Bible translates ministry is the word used for service or ministry within the Christian congregation. Paul did not explain what kind of work the Lord had given to Archippus, but he was definitely writing about something Archippus was to do within the Christian community, not work like farming.
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