Survey of the Letters of Paul back to the top     back to main page for this verse Titus 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. This section has 4 verses.   Titus 3:12-15 12 When I shall send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] unto thee, or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus], be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis [nih-KOP-uh-lis]: for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.   We will begin with the Barclay commentary. FINAL GREETINGS First, the paraphrase of verses 12-15: When I send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis [nih-KOP-uh-lis], for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way. See to it that nothing is lacking to them. And let our people too learn to practice fine deeds, that they may be able to supply all necessary needs, and that they may not live useless lives. All who are with me send you their greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. AS usual, Paul ends his letter with personal messages and greetings. Of Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs], we know nothing at all. Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] was one of Paul’s most trusted messengers. He was the bearer of the letters to the Colossian and the Ephesian churches (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21). Nicopolis [nih-KOP-uh-lis] was in Epirus [ih-PI-ruhs] and was the best centre for work in the Roman province of Dalmatia. It is interesting to remember that it was there that Epictetus [eh'pih-KYUR-uhs], the great Stoic philosopher, later had his school. Quoted verses: Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Apollos was the well-known teacher (Acts 18:24). Of Zenas [ZEE-nuhs], we know nothing at all. He is here called a nomikos. That could mean one of two things. Nomikos is the regular word for a scribe, and Zenas may have been a converted Jewish Rabbi. It is also the normal Greek for a lawyer; and, if that is its meaning, Zenas has the distinction of being the only lawyer mentioned in the New Testament. Quoted verse: Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. Paul’s last piece of advice is that the Christian people should practice good deeds, so that they themselves should be independent and also able to help others who are in need. Christian workers work not only to have enough for themselves but also to have something to give away. Next come the final greetings; and then, as in every letter, Paul’s last word is grace. ~Barclay Commentary Now to the other commentaries. We will go from the general to the specific. Let us begin with the Matthew Henry main which, in this part, covers verses 9-15. I will break in where it discusses verses 12 and 13. III. The apostle subjoins some further directions, Titus 3:12-13. Here are two personal things enjoined: - 1. That Titus should hold himself ready to come to Paul at Nicopolis [nih-KOP-uh-lis] (a city of Thrace, as is reckoned, on the borders of Macedonia), as soon as Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] should be sent to Crete, to supply his place, and take care of the churches there when he should leave them. The apostle would not have them in their young and weak state be without one or other of chief sufficiency, to guide and help them. Titus, it seems, was not their ordinary fixed bishop or pastor, but an evangelist, otherwise Paul would not have called him so much from his charge. Of Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] we read little, but Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] is mentioned on many occasions with respect. Paul calls him a beloved brother, and faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord: one fit therefore for the service intimated. When Paul says to Titus, Be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis [nih-KOP-uh-lis], for I have determined there to winter, it is plain that the epistle was not written from Nicopolis [nih-KOP-uh-lis], as the postscript would have it, for then he would have said, I determined here, not there, to winter. ~Matthew Henry Main. Now the Matthew Henry concise. It covers verses 12-15. Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its professors must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well as keeping away from evil. Let “ours” follow some honest labour and employment, to provide for themselves and their families. Christianity obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and therein to abide with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard and fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with the fruits and effects thereof, according to need; and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your souls. This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection to them, and desire for their good, and would be a means of obtaining for them, and bringing down on them, the thing requested. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and prayed for, with respect to ourselves or others; it is “all good.” ~Matthew Henry concise Look at the People's New Testament When I shall send. - Titus was not stationed permanently in Crete, as a bishop, but was left for a certain work (Titus 1:5), and is now bidden to leave as soon as another is sent to take his place. Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs]. - Otherwise unknown. Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus]. - Often named as one of Paul's companions. See notes on Colossians 4:7 and Ephesians 6:21. Come unto me to Nicopolis. - A town on the west coast of Greece in Epirus, so named because Augustus Cæsar gained the great battle of Actium there. It means, "City of Victory." History seems to make it probable that Paul did go there to winter, was again arrested, and carried to Rome to die. ~People's New Testament. Here is something from the F. B. Meyer commentary: Paul, having been liberated from his first imprisonment, was itinerating in Asia Minor and Macedonia, accompanied by several friends. He was intending to winter at Nicopolis in Epirus, and was about to send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] to relieve Titus in Crete, so that Titus might join him in the winter sojourn. These plans were probably canceled by his own sudden arrest at Nero’s instigation. ~F. B. Meyer commentary You continue to see that the commentaries have little on Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs]. We do have text on Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus]. Notice the Popular commentary: Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus], of the province of Asia (Acts 20:4), who carried from Rome the letters to Colosse (Colossians 4:7-8), and to Ephesus (see Ephesians 6:21-22). In his second imprisonment, Paul again sent him to Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:12). There were various cities called Nicopolia. Paul is supposed to mean the town in Epirus founded in memory of the battle of Actium on the Spot where the army of Augustus halted. Though only thirty years old at this time, it was the chief town in Western Greece. Probably it was there, during approaching winter, that Paul was arrested and sent to Rome for the last time. ~Popular commentary Quoted verses: Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus [air'is-TAHR-kuhs] and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] and Trophimus. Colossians 4:7-8 7 All my state shall Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; Ephesians 6:21-22 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus], a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 2 Timothy 4:12 [see Lesson] And Tychicus [Tych'i-cus] have I sent to Ephesus. Now to the Pulpit commentary: Personal directions. The connection of Titus with the Cretan Church was to be but temporary; therefore the apostle gives him two commands. I. A COMMAND FOR TITUS TO JOIN THE APOSTLE AT NICOPOLIS. 1. The apostle needed his services, either at this city in Epirus, where he determined to spend the winter—no doubt in apostolic labors—or to ascertain from him the exact condition of the Church at Crete, or to send him forth on an errand to some of the other Churches. 2. But the place of Titus was not to be left unsupplied. Two brethren, Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] and Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus], were to go to Crete—one altogether unknown by us, but, as he is first mentioned, probably a minister of high distinction and zeal; the other, Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus], one of the most esteemed of the apostle’s friends (Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12...all quoted above). II. A COMMAND FOR TITUS TO HASTEN THE DEPARTURE OF ZENAS AND APOLLOS FROM CRETE. These brethren had been laboring in the Church there, probably, before Titus was left behind by the apostle. Zenas, the lawyer, was probably a Jewish scribe converted to Christianity, who had been acting as an evangelist in Crete. Apollos was the eloquent preacher of Alexandria, and now as always in perfect sympathy with the apostle, though there seemed a rivalry between them at Corinth. The apostle implies that the Cretan Christians were to provide the necessary help for such a journey. ~Pulpit commentary I found this in the John Wesley Notes on verse 12: When I shall send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] - To succeed thee in thy office. Titus was properly an evangelist, who, according to the nature of that office, had no fixed residence; but presided over other elders, wherever he travelled from place to place, assisting each of the apostles according to the measure of his abilities. Come to me to Nicopolis - Very probably not the Nicopolis in Macedonia, as the vulgar subscription asserts: (indeed, none of those subscriptions at the end of Paul's epistles are of any authority:) rather it was a town of the same name which lay upon the sea - coast of Epirus. For I have determined to winter there - Hence it appears, he was not there yet; if so, he would have said, to winter here. Consequently, this letter was not written from thence. ~John Wesley Explanatory Notes Now to the specific commentaries. These breakout the verse in different ways so we will go through these commentaries one at a time. From Barnes Notes: When I shall send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] unto thee - This person is not elsewhere mentioned in the New Testament, and nothing more is known of him. Or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] - Notes, Acts 20:4 [mentioned above]. Be diligent - Notes, 2 Timothy 4:9. “To come unto me to Nicopolis.” It was at this place, probably, that this epistle was written. For I have determined there to winter - Why Paul designed to spend the winter there, or what he purposed to do there, are questions on which no light can now be thrown. There is no evidence that he organized a church there, though it may be presumed that he preached the gospel, and that he did not do it without success. His requesting Titus to leave his important post and to come to him, looks as if his aid were needed in the work of the ministry there, and as if Paul supposed there was a promising field of labor there. ~Barnes Notes Now the Adam Clarke: When I shall send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] - or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] - These were either deacons or presbyters, which the apostle intended to send to Crete, to supply the place of Titus. Who Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] was we know not; he is not mentioned in any other place in the New Testament. Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] was a native of Asia, as we learn from Acts 20:4 (mentioned above). Be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis - Nicopolis was a city of Epirus, on the gulf of Ambracia, near to Actium, which Augustus built in commemoration of his victory over Mark Antony. There was another Nicopolis in Thrace, at the entrance of Macedonia, on the river Nessus; but the former is supposed to be the place here intended. For I have determined there to winter - Hence the apostle was at liberty, seeing his spending the winter at this or at any other practicable place depended on his own determination. It was probably now pretty late in the autumn, and the apostle was now drawing near to Nicopolis; for he certainly was not yet arrived, else he would not have said, I have determined, There, to winter. ~Adam Clarke Let us go to the John Gill: When I shall send Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] unto thee, or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] - These were both of them ministers of the Gospel; there is no mention of Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] anywhere else; some say he was one of the seventy disciples, and that he was afterwards bishop of Lystra; but these are uncertain things; the name is a contraction of Artemidorus. Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] is often spoken of; and a very great character is given of him by the apostle, in Ephesians 6:21[mentioned above]. Be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis - which was a city, not in Epirus, but in Thrace, situated by the river Nessus, and had its name from a victory obtained there: hither the apostle would have Titus come to him, after one or other of the above ministers were come to Crete; for as the apostle had the care of all the churches upon him, he would not remove a minister from one place to another, without making a provision in their room: his reasons for having Titus come to him, might be either to know the state of the churches in Crete; or because he stood in need of his assistance; or to send him elsewhere: For I have determined there to winter - that is, to continue there all the winter; not without labour, but to preach the Gospel, and administer the ordinances to the saints there: and whereas he says "there"; this shows that this epistle was not written from thence, as the subscription asserts; for then he would have said "here", and not "there". ~John Gill Finally, the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown: When I shall send — have sent. Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] or Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] — to supply thy place in Crete. Artemas [AHR-tuh-muhs] is said to have been subsequently bishop of Lystra. Tychicus [TIK-uh-kus] was sent twice by Paul from Rome to Lesser Asia in his first imprisonment (which shows how well qualified he was to become Titus’ successor in Crete); Ephesians 6:21; and in his second, 2 Timothy 4:12. Tradition makes him subsequently bishop of Chalcedon, in Bithynia. Nicopolis — “the city of victory,” called so from the battle of Actium, in Epirus. This Epistle was probably written from Corinth in the autumn. Paul purposed a journey through Aetolia and Acarnania, into Epirus, and there “to winter.” See my Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles. ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Normally, we would end the Bible study here but I would like to say something about what Paul says to Titus in this verse.  He says, "be diligent to come unto me."  The word, "diligence" is word G4704.  It means to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest.  It is rendered as "do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study."  Paul must have known that his time remaining on this planet was short.  There was now urgency in the air.  Everyone had to be diligent in those days in the Work.  Notice how the word is rendered.  It speaks of diligence, endurance, labor and study.  It is interesting that God inspired him to use this word in this letter.  We will see the same word in the next verse.  It was a word for Titus then and surely a word for us now.  God was speaking to Titus then and is now speaking to us in all urgency.  Be diligent, for this is the lesson of verse 12.   back to the top     back to main page for this verse