Are you a Tychicus or an Archippus?

As Paul closes his letter to the church in Colosse, he mentions ten “fellows,” or, partners in the Gospel. Some he calls beloved or faithful or a servant. The first man he mentions, Tychicus, receives the full complement: “He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.” So, what do we know about this man? 
 
We know that he was probably Paul’s favorite courier. He delivered at least three letters for Paul, to Ephesus, Colosse, and to Philemon. It is believed he also delivered Paul’s letter to Titus, as well as his last letter, 2 Timothy. It is clear he was a man trusted by the Apostle Paul. We know that he had been with Paul in Rome and was sent to Colosse. Not just to bring the letter, but Paul says to the church, “I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts.” Paul said the exact same thing about Tychicus in Ephesus. Paul’s love and concern for all the churches, whether he had planted them or not, was for their lampstand to stay bright, despite false teaching from within or persecution from without. But you also see his love for the churches who were concerned for his welfare. He writes, "I want you to know how we are... and that your hearts may be encouraged." That’s one of the reasons he sent Tychicus to them. 
 
There is no mention in Scripture of Tychicus as a great orator, preaching to the masses. He is not described as a brilliant theologian or a careful apologist for the Gospel. He didn’t write any books or letters that we know about. But Paul loved him and called him a fellow servant in the Lord. That’s Paul’s way of saying, “He is not my servant. We are servants of Christ, together.” Some have said the best ability is dependability, and Tychicus will eternally be known as a servant of Christ who was dependable. The letters he carried to the churches outlasted the churches themselves. They outlasted the Roman Empire where those churches were built. And those letters are today a vital part of the life and legacy of the church. They will stand.  
 
The last of the ten people who get a call out from Paul is Archippus. I wonder if he was called Arky for short, because it’s a hard “ch” in his name. Nickname notwithstanding, Paul gives interesting instructions to the church about this man. He writes that they are to say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” I wonder how that went. The courier of Paul’s letters was assumed to also have been the reader. So, you would think that Tychicus had been coached by Paul before he left, “Hey, when you get to this part, ask Archippus to stand and then read this to him. And then ask the congregation to repeat it to him.” We know Paul was a gracious man, and maybe he knew Archippus well enough to know that he could handle this spotlight and exhortation in front of the church: “fulfill your ministry, brother!” 
 
Who was Archippus? Most believe he was Philemon’s son, from Paul’s greeting in that letter: “To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house.” We don’t know what prompted this message. Many believe that Archippus was a growing young believer who had showed tremendous promise in faith and in serving the Lord. Perhaps he was also a young leader in the church. Paul wanted him to be reminded that his calling was from the Lord. All that he had been given came from the Lord and it would be his joy then to “fulfill it.”  
 
All of that begs this question for you, dear reader: What “ministry have you received in the Lord” — big or small — do you sense God calling you to fulfill right now? Or are you walking in it, already, and are known among the saints as a beloved and faithful servant?  
 
May your tribe increase!