BIOGRAPHIES OF BIBLE SAINTS

VII. Other Exemplary Biblical, Effective "Lay" Christian Ministers

B. Other Effective Men "Lay" Ministers: The Men In Stephanas' Family, Tychicus And Archippus

(1 Corinthians 16:15-16; Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:17)

I. Introduction

A. Ephesians 4:11-12 teaches that God uses the "starter" gifts of [today's] evangelists and pastor-teachers to equip the rest of the Church body to do the actual work of the ministry; Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, ftn. to Eph. 4:12.

B. It is thus edifying to view the "lay" ministries of Early Church believers in addition to Aquila and Priscilla, and we continue by viewing how God effectively used other men in the Early Church (as follows):

II. Other Effective Men "Lay" Ministers: The Men In Stephanas' Family, Tychicus And Archippus.

A. 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 speaks of the ministry of the "household, family" (oikia, Arndt & Gingrich, A Grk.-Eng. Lex. of the N. T., 1967, p. 559-560) of Stephanas that included the ministries of the men in that family:

1. This household had "addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints" (v. 15 KJV), the word "addicted" coming from the Greek verb, tasso that means "appoint, devote oneself to," Ibid., p. 813.

2. Thus, the men in this family (a) independent of any church official directing them to do so, (b) had seen the needs of believers around them, (c) they had felt burdened about those needs and (d) had thus taken the initiative (e) in the Holy Spirit's leading (f) to assume responsible care for the diakonia, the (g) "service, aid and support" (Ibid., p. 183) of such believers, 1 Corinthians 16:15.

3. The men in this family would likely have taken the initiative to meet the needs of livelihood, employment, housing or physical protection from abusers to such an extent that their efforts left them being honored to have the Apostle Paul direct other believers to submit to them in their ministry efforts, 1 Cor. 16:16.

B. Ephesians 6:21-22 refers to Tychicus, and he was a close friend and helper of Paul as seen in several passages of the New Testament as follows (Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, v. Five, p. 832):

1. Tychicus with Trophimus were two reputable Asian believers chosen to help bring the monetary collection to Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:19ff) with others who accompanied Paul on this mission, Acts 20:4-6; Ibid.

2. Tychicus was also with Paul in his first Roman imprisonment, and he delivered the letters to the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21) and Colossians (Col. 4:7-9) to inform and to comfort believers about Paul's welfare, Ibid.

3. He also accompanied Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, when Paul sent him back to his master that Tychicus might reduce the possibility of Philemon's seriously punishing Onesimus for leaving his master. Tychicus thus represented Paul's stance to facilitate a great reconciliation, Ibid.; Colossians 4:7-9.

4. Paul also planned to send Tychicus or Artemas to relive Titus in his oversight of the churches on Crete (Tit. 3:12), and he continued to serve the Apostle even near Paul's death in his second imprisonment by going to Ephesus to help care for the churches near his original home in Asia, 2 Timothy 4:12; Ibid.

5. Tychicus was thus fiscally reputable, responsible, he had leadership ability and was faithful as a "layman."

C. Colossians 4:17 mentions Archippus, with insight and instructions on his ministry as a "lay" minister:

1. Archippus is mentioned as part of the household of Philemon in Philemon v. 2, so he was part of the Colossian Church, possibly a relative to Philemon, Ibid., v. One, p. 286.

2. Colossians 4:17 mentions his ministry, with insight on what God expects of "lay" ministers (as follows):

a. Archippus was to "see [consider, note]" (blepo, U. B. S. Grk. N. T., 1966, p. 703; Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 142-143) the "ministry, service" (diakonia, Ibid., p. 183) he had "received" (paralambano, Ibid., p. 624-625) in the Lord, "in order that" (hina, Ibid., U. B. S. Grk. N. T.; Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 377-379) he might "fulfill" (pleroo, Ibid., p. 676-678) it.

b. This involves several important factors in "lay" ministry that all believers must observe: (1) the need to pay attention to (2) the service assignment (3) all "lay" ministers have been given by God Himself, (4) that they complete it versus failing to stick faithfully to the task, and do a quality job that pleases the Lord!

Lesson: The ministries of "lay" men are to involve personal motivation, responsible action that helps other needy believers, a focus on paying attention to the service assignment each has received from the Lord that each fulfill that assignment faithfully, doing a quality job for which he will give an account to the Lord.

Application: If God has assigned us as "lay" men ministries, may we view our calling as a divine assignment for which we will give an account to the Lord at His return, that we stay highly motivated, act responsibly, be helpful to needy believers, and faithfully perform a quality job as unto the Lord.