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Archippus

Archippus (: Ἄρχιππος, meaning "master of the horse") was an early Christian figure from in Asia Minor, briefly mentioned in two epistles attributed to the as a committed leader and "fellow soldier" in the . He is addressed alongside Philemon and Apphia in the (Philemon 1:2), where their household is noted as hosting the local , implying Archippus's close involvement in its early activities. In the (Colossians 4:17), urges the congregation to encourage Archippus to "see to the ministry that you have received in the in order to fulfill it," highlighting his assigned role—possibly pastoral or evangelistic—amid the challenges of first-century Christian communities. Scholars generally view Archippus as a younger member of the Colossian church, potentially the son of Philemon and Apphia, based on the familial context of Paul's greetings and the interconnected epistles. The term "fellow soldier" (συστρατιώτης) used for him in Philemon carries a specific rhetorical weight in Pauline writing, denoting shared hardship and loyalty in rather than a generic metaphor for all believers. His may have extended to nearby Laodicea, as the Colossian letter was intended for circulation there (Colossians 4:), reflecting the networked nature of early churches in the Lycus Valley. Limited details in the biblical text leave his exact duties ambiguous, but Paul's exhortation suggests a call to perseverance amid potential reluctance or external pressures. In Eastern Christian tradition, particularly within the , Archippus is honored as one of the Seventy Apostles, a companion and student of who served as bishop of and actively preached the Gospel alongside Philemon and Apphia. He is said to have faced persecution under Emperor (r. 54–68 ), enduring trial before a local named Artocles for his faith, ultimately being martyred by being slashed with knives. His feast day is commemorated on in the Orthodox liturgical calendar, emphasizing his role in the apostolic mission and the spread of Christianity in .

Biblical References

Epistle to Philemon

In the , addresses a personal appeal to Philemon, a Christian leader in , regarding the runaway slave , whom urges Philemon to receive back as a brother in Christ. Scholars generally date the letter to circa 60–62 , during 's imprisonment in , a period when he composed several epistles from captivity. By including Archippus in the , extends the letter's communal scope, emphasizing shared responsibility within the Colossian Christian community for resolving the matter of . The specific mention of Archippus appears in the opening greeting of Philemon 1:2: "to Apphia our , to Archippus our fellow , and to the that meets in your home" (NIV). This verse positions Archippus alongside Apphia and the as recipients, underscoring the letter's relevance to the broader household assembly rather than solely to Philemon as an individual. The term "fellow soldier" (: synstratiōtēs) used for Archippus carries a military metaphor common in 's writings, denoting a comrade-in-arms in the spiritual struggles of and service. Unlike the more general "" for Apphia or "fellow worker" for Philemon, this designation highlights Archippus's active, frontline involvement as a co-laborer with in advancing , distinguishing him from ordinary members of the congregation. Paul employs synstratiōtēs elsewhere only for (Philippians 2:25), reinforcing its connotation of enduring hardships together in ministry. This address connects Archippus to the domestic setting of the Colossian , which gathered in Philemon's home as a typical early Christian , fostering intimate communal accountability in matters of and . The of the entire household assembly in the implies that the resolution of Onesimus's situation would model Christian for the group, with Archippus's role as fellow soldier suggesting his in upholding such principles. This relational emphasis aligns with Paul's later exhortation in Colossians for Archippus to fulfill his ministry.

Epistle to the Colossians

The , attributed to the during his imprisonment around 60-62 AD, was addressed to the Christian community in , a small city in Asia Minor, and written concurrently with the letter to Philemon. The epistle primarily counters emerging false teachings in the region, which blended Jewish , ascetic practices, , and the worship of angels, urging believers to remain steadfast in the supremacy of Christ. Within this framework of encouragement and doctrinal correction, the letter concludes with personal greetings and commendations to key figures in the Colossian church, including a specific exhortation to Archippus that underscores his role amid these challenges. Colossians 4:17 appears in the epistle's closing section, following practical instructions on household conduct (:18–4:1) and exhortations for prayer, wise living, and slave-master relations (Colossians 4:2–6), commendations of fellow workers like , , , Luke, and (Colossians 4:7–14), and greetings to the church in Laodicea and Nympha's house (Colossians 4:15–16). This placement highlights Archippus's prominence within the local assembly, positioning his charge as a pivotal personal directive in the communal farewell that reinforces the epistle's themes of faithful . The verse reads: "And say to Archippus, 'See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the '" (Greek: Kai eipate Archippō: Blepete tēn diakonian hēn parelabes en Kyriō hina autēn plērōsēs). Here, diakonian denotes a divinely appointed or task, emphasizing completion (plērōsēs) as an urgent imperative to persevere. The exhortation interprets Archippus's diakonia as a formal responsibility, likely involving , oversight, or preaching, received through divine calling "in the " and requiring in the face of Colossae's doctrinal threats. Scholars view this not as a rebuke but as an encouragement for steadfastness, affirming his integral in the stability against heresies that diminished Christ's sufficiency. Archippus is also briefly noted in Philemon 2 as a "fellow soldier," linking his service across both letters.

Historical Identity

Name and Etymology

The name Archippus derives from the Ancient Greek Ἄρχιππος (Archippos), a compound formed from ἀρχός (archos), meaning "master" or "chief," and ἵππος (hippos), meaning "horse." This etymology translates to "master of the horse" or "chief horseman," reflecting a descriptive title evoking leadership in equestrian matters. In the Hellenistic world, such compound names were prevalent in naming conventions, often drawing on themes of , animals, and prowess to signify status or aspiration. The inclusion of "hippos" particularly evoked imagery central to , where symbolized speed, power, and divine favor—associations tied to figures like , the god credited with creating and presiding over their domain. Early Christians in the Greco-Roman East adopted these names without retaining pagan undertones, integrating them into a diverse cultural milieu. In biblical usage, Archippus appears solely as a proper name in the epistles to Philemon and the Colossians, without any explicit symbolic emphasis on its meaning. This reflects the broader Greco-Roman linguistic influences prevalent in Asia Minor, the region encompassing , where remained the dominant language for personal nomenclature amid a mix of local Phrygian and immigrant traditions. The name Archippus was relatively uncommon in the , with its biblical attestations marking the primary references in early Christian texts and no other prominent figures sharing it exactly in the canon. Attestations in pre-Christian Greek inscriptions exist but are sparse, underscoring its niche status compared to more widespread theophoric or heroic names of the era.

Familial and Ecclesial Relations

Archippus is often proposed in scholarly interpretations to be the son of Philemon and Apphia, based on the joint address in Philemon 1:2, where Paul greets Philemon as a "fellow worker," Apphia as a "sister," and Archippus as a "fellow soldier," alongside the church in their house, suggesting a familial household involved in early Christian leadership. This view aligns with the structure of Colossians 4:17, where Paul urges Archippus to fulfill his ministry, implying a younger family member active in the Colossian assembly under parental oversight. Alternative scholarly perspectives challenge this direct kinship, positing Archippus instead as Philemon's brother or a close associate rather than son, due to the absence of explicit familial terms in the texts; for instance, Apphia is commonly identified as Philemon's , positioning Archippus within an extended Christian unit without specifying descent. Others suggest Apphia could be Philemon's , with Archippus serving as a ministerial colleague in the shared domestic setting. Archippus's ecclesial ties are rooted in the Colossian hosted by Philemon's family, indicating he belonged to a prominent early convert that supported communal and instruction. This community was likely established under the influence of , Paul's faithful minister and the probable founder of the Colossian church, as described in Colossians 1:7. Early , such as , regarded Archippus as a key figure in Philemon's intimate circle, interpreting the "fellow soldier" designation in Philemon 1:2 as denoting active participation in apostolic ministry alongside family members. However, modern scholarship emphasizes caution against over-speculation, given the sparse textual evidence, and prioritizes the epistles' focus on relational exhortations over definitive genealogical claims.

Ministry Role in Colossae

Archippus is referenced in the as a key figure in the local , where instructs the community to "say to Archippus: See to it that you complete the you have received in the " (Colossians 4:17, NIV). This charge implies that Archippus held a position of and oversight within the Colossian congregation, responsible for the diakonia, or /, of the . Scholarly interpretations, such as those in Ellicott's Commentary, suggest this role may have involved functions akin to those of a or early , emphasizing diligent fulfillment of duties assigned through apostolic or local authority like . The exhortation underscores Archippus's accountability in guiding the 's spiritual and practical affairs during a formative period around 60 AD. The church in , a modest Phrygian city in Asia Minor known for its trade and location along trade routes, faced significant challenges from surrounding pagan influences and emerging heretical ideas. Paul's letter addresses threats described as "hollow and deceptive " reliant on and forces (Colossians 2:8, NIV), often identified by scholars as proto-Gnostic elements blending Jewish , , and that undermined Christ's sufficiency. In this context, Archippus's likely included sound to counter these influences, fostering , and maintaining in a frontier community vulnerable to . Benson Commentary portrays him as a pastor actively combating false teachers through faithful service. Archippus collaborated closely with other leaders in the Colossian church, such as Epaphras, who founded the congregation and labored intensely for its members (Colossians 1:7, 4:12-13, NIV), and Philemon, whose home likely served as a central house church venue (Philemon 1-2). His role may have positioned him as an assistant or potential successor in pastoral care, supporting Epaphras's evangelistic efforts and Philemon's hospitality amid the house church model prevalent in early Christianity. Some traditions, echoed in scholarly notes like those from Thomas Constable, propose Archippus as Philemon's son, integrating familial ties into his ecclesial responsibilities, though this remains inferential. Among biblical scholars, Archippus is consensus viewed as a local rather than an , with his diakonia encompassing preaching , administrative duties, and community support in a small, emerging congregation. The describes him as a " ," highlighting his frontline role in a church without direct apostolic oversight from , who wrote from prison. This portrayal aligns with the Epistle's emphasis on everyday faithfulness in amid regional and doctrinal pressures circa 60 AD.

Post-Biblical Traditions

Episcopal Appointment and Martyrdom

Later hagiographies from the 4th and 5th centuries, such as the , designate Archippus as the first of Laodicea, appointed either by the or by , his fellow minister in the Lycus Valley, to oversee the nascent churches in the region encompassing , Laodicea, and . Eastern Orthodox traditions, however, portray him as of . These accounts portray him as extending his biblical ministry in into a formal leadership role, guiding the Christian communities amid ongoing challenges from local pagan practices and emerging heresies. According to Eastern church traditions recorded in synaxaria and menologia, Archippus suffered martyrdom at Chonae (modern Honaz, ), near Laodicea, alongside Philemon and Apphia. The accounts describe them being seized during persecutions under (r. 54–68 CE) for refusing to offer sacrifices to idols; Archippus was reportedly stoned to death after torture, though other traditions describe him as being slashed with knives. The site of Chonae is linked to broader regional Christian , including the later tradition of the Michael's miraculous intervention there. These narratives, compiled centuries after the —such as in the 10th-11th century Menologion Graecum—are widely regarded by modern scholars as apocryphal and pious legends intended to honor local saints and inspire devotion, lacking any contemporary evidence from the . While they build on Archippus's inferred leadership in from , historians emphasize that no early patristic or archaeological sources corroborate the episcopal appointment or martyrdom details, with variations in traditions regarding his exact see ( or Laodicea), method of death, and the persecuting emperor ( or ).

Veneration in the Eastern Church

In the , Archippus is venerated as a and one of the Seventy Apostles, a distinction rooted in early that associates him with the disciples sent out by Christ as described in :1. This recognition, while subject to historical debate regarding the exact composition of the Seventy, is firmly established in Orthodox and liturgical calendars, where he is commemorated alongside fellow apostles Philemon and Apphia for their shared witness to the faith. His primary feast day falls on February 19 in the , celebrated jointly with Saints Philemon and Apphia, during which the includes readings from the Epistles to Philemon and the Colossians to honor their apostolic ministry. An additional commemoration occurs on January 4 as part of the of the Seventy Apostles in the General Menaion, emphasizing the collective role of these early missionaries in spreading . A secondary feast is observed on , focusing on their martyrdom during the persecutions under . Iconographically, Saint Archippus is typically depicted as a vested in liturgical attire, often standing with Saints Philemon and Apphia, holding a scroll or symbolizing his pastoral oversight in . Such representations appear in hand-painted icons and frescoes at monasteries, including those on , where he is portrayed in hierarchical compositions among the apostles to highlight communal sanctity. Theologically, Archippus exemplifies steadfast ministry and endurance amid , serving as a model for and to fulfill their God-given tasks, as echoed in Colossians 4:17. He is invoked in prayers for intercession, particularly by church leaders seeking strength in service, with troparia and kontakia beseeching his aid for forgiveness and faithful witness. Modern veneration remains confined to Eastern Orthodox traditions, with little prominence in Western Catholicism, reflecting the localized cult of saints from Asia Minor.

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