保羅在第17節提及的亞基布究竟是誰？我們對他認識很少。他可能是腓利門和亞腓亞的兒子，在老底嘉教會擔任牧者一職。有人曾經說過：「經文沒有明確指出亞基布的事奉崗位；因此，對他的提醒，便可概括地應用在所有人的身上。」

保羅為甚麼叫人給他這句傳話呢？也許他知道亞基布容易流於安逸和處事輕忽。保羅一向喜歡激勵信徒，要抓緊每個機會去為主作工。

亞基布聽見保羅叫人這樣提醒自己，必定會大吃一驚。他的第一個反應，會是生氣，還是醒覺到自己需要別人提醒呢？這句說話會對他有何影響？會不會使他的靈命得著更新？

你有甚麼事奉呢？講道？探訪？關心有需要的家庭？幫助別人？你是否熱誠地投入事奉？在事奉的時候，有否懷著一顆喜樂和禱告的心？請記著，這是你的事奉，不是其他人的事奉。

保羅提醒他要「盡」自己的職分。「盡」有倒滿的意思。我們嘗試把每個事奉機會視為一個器皿，我們便將我們生命中的一切，我們的整個人傾進去一樣。許多時候，我們都是半心半意地事奉基督；但基督想要的，卻是盡心盡意的事奉。

我們是否懶惰或做事輕忽？我們是否開始追求安逸？或是我們容讓其他許多事情擠壓著我們，以致我們不能全心全意地事奉基督？哪究竟是甚麼？保羅給亞基布的那句話，是否同樣提醒我們？

請再讀第17節，求主幫助你能盡心盡意地事奉。我們要記著，我們是「在主裡」事奉。那就是說，我們是為著祂的榮耀，靠著祂所賜的能力來事奉祂。請翻閱哥林多前書十五章58節，願「你們的勞苦，在主裡面不是徒然的」這句話，深深地激勵我們。

Who was Archippus, mentioned in verse 17? We are not told very much about him. He may have been the son of Philemon and Apphia. He possibly was the pastor of the church at Laodicea. Someone has said 'The exact ministry of Archippus is unknown, and therefore the lesson of his life is directed to everyone because it includes everyone'.

Why did Paul write in this way? Perhaps he knew that Archippus had a tendency to settle down in comfort and to take things easy. Paul very often stirred people to get on with their work and to be active for Christ while there is time.

It must have been quite a shock for Archippus to hear his name mentioned in this way. Did he react first of all in anger or did he realise his need of this word? What was the result? A renewing in his own soul?

What is your ministry? Is it preaching? Is it visiting? Is it caring for the family? Is it one of helping? How energetically are you working? How cheerfully? How prayerfully? Remember it is your ministry, not someone else's.

Paul says 'fulfil it'. The word means to fill it full. Look at the opportunity for service which you have and consider it a cup or a vessel and pour into it all your life, all your being, all your being's ransomed powers. We are so half-hearted in our service for Christ. Christ wants wholehearted, brimful service, and overflowing faithfulness.

Are we lazy or careless? Have we begun to settle down and to do as little as we can? Have we allowed other things to crowd out our wholehearted service for Christ? Business, home, sport, friends or what? Do we need to take notice of the blunt words which Paul wrote to Archippus?

Read verse 17 again and ask the Lord to help you fulfil your ministry to the utmost. Remember our service is 'in the Lord'. It is by his power, for his glory, with his strength that we are to serve him. Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 and be encouraged today that your labour is never in vain in the Lord.