The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Archippus
d. c. 68 (trad., with Philemon) · Minister of the Lycus valley churches · Colossae / Laodicea
The Apostolic Age
Who Archippus was
“Our fellowsoldier” of the Philemon address, and the recipient of the New Testament’s one personally addressed church-discipline note: “say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Likely Philemon’s son; possibly serving at neighboring Laodicea, which would explain the public reminder. Tradition completes the household’s martyrdom under Nero.
Common questions
When did Archippus die?
Archippus is dated d. c. 68 (trad., with Philemon) in the archive, which places Archippus in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Archippus?
Archippus is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul, Paul of Tarsus and The Constitutions' compiler. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Archippus from?
The archive associates Archippus with Colossae / Laodicea.
Who were Archippus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Archippus to 4 other figures, including Philemon of Colossae, Apphia of Colossae, Epaphras and Nympha of Laodicea. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Colossians 4:17
c. AD 55And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.Paul · read ↗
Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 (bishop of Laodicea in Phrygia)
c. AD 380Of Laodicea in Phrygia, Archippus.The Constitutions' compiler · Apostolic Constitutions VII.46 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Archippus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.