Bible Dictionary
Archippus
Archippus was a Christian teacher associated with the church at Colossae and a fellow soldier of Paul. Paul urged him to fulfill the ministry he had received in the Lord.
Definition
Archippus was a Christian teacher associated with the church at Colossae. He belonged probably to Philemon’s family and held an official position in the church. Paul calls him a fellow soldier and exhorts him to fulfill the ministry he received in the Lord.
Biblical Usage
Paul addresses Archippus as a fellow soldier in Philemon and urges him to attend carefully to his ministry in Colossians. He is associated with the Christian household and church circle of Philemon.
Historical Background
Archippus is placed in the setting of the Christian community at Colossae and is associated with Philemon’s family. A later tradition identifying him as one of the seventy, bishop of Laodicea, and a martyr is described as having little historical foundation.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Master of the horse, a “fellow-soldier” of Paul’s (Philemon 1:2), whom he exhorts to renewed activity (Col. 4:17). He was a member of Philemon’s family, probably his son.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(master of the horse), a Christian teacher in Colossae, (Colossians 4:17) called by St. Paul his “fellow soldier,” Phil 2. He was probably a member of Philemon’s family. (A.D. 62.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ar-kip'-us (Archippos): Addressed by Paul in his letter to Philem, as "our fellow-soldier"; probably a member of Philem's family circle, holding some official position in the church (Col 4:17; Phm 1:2). See APPHIA. The tradition that he was one of the seventy disciples, became bishop of Laodicea and later became a martyr, seems to have little historical foundation.</p>