Devine Scripture

Colossians 4:17

What does Colossians 4:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 4:17 means

Paul charges the church to tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Ministry is a stewardship from Christ, not a self-made role. To fulfill it requires attentiveness, perseverance, and accountability to the church. Paul’s public exhortation implies love and seriousness: leaders need encouragement and reminders to stay the course. The community’s role is to support and call them to faithfulness. The goal is completion, not mere commencement. This brief command dignifies every calling Christ assigns and urges steadfastness until the work is done in a way that honors the Giver.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Say to Archippus, See that you do the work which the Lord has given you to do.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and say to Archippus, `See to the ministration that thou didst receive in the Lord, that thou mayest fulfil it.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in [the] Lord, to the end that thou fulfil it.

Context

After corporate instructions about letter-reading, Paul addresses a specific worker, showing pastoral care down to the individual level. Archippus’s charge stands as a model for how churches should encourage their ministers. The letter will then conclude with Paul’s personal closing (verse 18), marking his own hand, recalling his imprisonment, and extending grace—a final touch that unites authority, suffering, and blessing.

v.16And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea.

v.17This passage

v.18The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

  • Ezekiel 44:23

    And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • 2 Timothy 2:2

    And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

  • 2 Timothy 1:6

    For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

  • Philemon 1:2

    and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier, and to the church in thy house:

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