This section has 4 verses.
Titus 3:12-15
12 When I shall send Artemas 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 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, 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 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
Here is something from the Biblical Illustrator on
the last phrase, that they be not unfruitful.
That nothing be
wanting unto them
Titus’ duty to his fellow ministers
Ministers ought to abound in the fruits of kindness
to one another, and most to those whose
circumstances render the expressions of brotherly
kindness needful. Probably Titus could not, from his
own purse, furnish everything that was needful to
his brethren who were travelling in the service of
the Churches. But he might, through his influence,
do by the hands of others what was not in his own
power. The apostle had already said that the
doctrine of salvation by grace teaches and
constrains men who believe it to maintain good
works. And here he calls on the believers under the
care of Titus to embrace the occasion that was
presented to them, of testifying their faith by
their works, and learning to practice the duties by
which they were to approve themselves unto God as
faithful Christians. There are too many who form
good resolves, but when opportunities offer of
putting them into practice, suffer them to pass
unimproved. They intend to do what they know to be
right, but are in no haste to perform it.
But let ours, those who belong to our holy society,
learn not only to do, but to stand foremost in
doing, good works, on all necessary occasions. An
opportunity for doing good ought to be as much
valued by us as an opportunity for receiving it, for
we are sure that “it is more blessed to give than to
receive.” We know not what opportunities we may
afterwards have to do good; but the present
opportunity will not return; and we may feel the
same disposition to neglect a second and a third as
a first opportunity of usefulness. How then shall we
approve ourselves fruit-bearing branches in the true
vine, and not to be found among the barren branches
against whom the terrible sentence is pronounced,
that the great Husbandman will take them away, and
they shall be gathered, and cast into the fire and
burned? ~Biblical Illustrator
Here is another piece from the Biblical Illustrator
that gets to the heart of the matter.
Christianity enjoins courtesy
Christianity hindereth not, but commendeth and
enjoineth civil courtesy and all kind of humanity.
For
1. Whatsoever pertaineth to love and good report,
that must believers think on and do (Philippians
4:1-23).
2. The wisdom which is from above is gentle,
peaceable, full of mercy and good fruits (James
3:17).
3. Those many commandments, that Christians should
salute and greet one another, and that with a holy
kiss (1 Thessalonians 5:26), called by Peter the
kiss of love; usual in those East countries, by
which outward testimony they declared mutual love
and kindness.
4. Outward courtesy is a necessary virtue even for
the maintaining of the bond of Christian peace; yea,
availeth much for the nourishing and increasing the
communion of saints, and society with God’s people.
5. How disgraceful a thing were it for the
profession of Christ, that such as profess faith in
the Lord Jesus should show themselves inhuman or
hoggish, who should be as lambs and little children,
for such are they who have entered into the kingdom
of Christ, as the prophet witnesseth. Let this
point, therefore, be well thought of, that as faith
and love cannot be separate, so must good conscience
and good manners go together. ~Biblical
Illustrator
Quoted verses:
Philippians 4:1-23
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed
for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my
dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche [SIN-tih-kee],
that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help
those women which laboured with me in the gospel,
with Clement also, and with other my
fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of
life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say,
Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God
of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at
the last your care of me hath flourished again;
wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked
opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to
abound: every where and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did
communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the
beginning of the gospel, when I departed from
Macedonia, no church communicated with me as
concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again
unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit
that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus [ee-paf-roh-DI-tuhs]
the things which were sent from you, an odour of a
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to
God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren
which are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are
of Caesar's household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
and without hypocrisy.
1 Thessalonians 5:26
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss [Christian
affection].
Now to the specific commentaries. They generally
break the verse down this way:
1] Zenas the lawyer.
2] Apollos.
3] Their journey diligently.
4] That nothing be wanting unto them.
1] Zenas the
lawyer.
Bring Zenas the lawyer - This person is only
mentioned in this place; whether he was a Jewish,
Roman, or Greek lawyer, we cannot tell. ~Adam
Clarke
Bring Zenas the lawyer - This person is not
elsewhere mentioned in the New Testament, and
nothing more is known of him. He belonged doubtless
to that class of persons so often mentioned in the
New Testament as lawyers; that is, who were regarded
as qualified to expound the Jewish laws; see the
notes at Matthew 22:35. It does not mean that he
practiced law, in the modern sense of that phrase.
He had doubtless been converted to the Christian
faith, and it is not improbable that there were Jews
at Nicopolis, and that Paul supposed he might be
particularly useful among them. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Matthew 22:35
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a
question, tempting him, and saying,
Bring Zenas the lawyer - Whether he was brought up
to the civil law, either among the Greeks or Romans,
is not certain; it may be he was a Jewish lawyer, or
scribe, an interpreter of Moses' law among the Jews;
for with them a lawyer and a scribe were one and the
same. ~John Gill
2] Apollos.
And Apollos - Of this person we have some valuable
particulars in Acts 18:24; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1
Corinthians 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:6. Either Paul
had left these at Crete when he visited that island,
or he had heard that, in their evangelical
itinerancy [ahy-tin-er-uh n-see-traveling], they were
about to pass through it. ~Adam Clark
Quoted verses:
Acts 18:24
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria,
an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures [well-instructed],
came to Ephesus.
1 Corinthians 1:12
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of
Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of
Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:5-6
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but
ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave
to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the
increase.
1 Corinthians 4:6
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure
transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes;
that ye might learn in us not to think of men above
that which is written, that no one of you be puffed
up for one against another.
And Apollos - Notes, Acts 18:24. He was also
well-skilled in the laws of Moses, being “mighty in
the Scriptures” Acts 18:24, and he and Zenas appear
to have been traveling together. It would seem that
they had been already on a journey, probably in
preaching the gospel, and Paul supposed that they
would be in Crete, and that Titus could aid them.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Acts 18:24
...quoted above.
And Apollos, on their journey diligently - who was a
Jew born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty
in the Scriptures; who had preached at Corinth, but
was now at Crete; and whom the apostle, with Zenas,
would have provided with everything necessary for
their journey. ~John Gill
3] Their
journey
diligently
On their journey diligently - Afford them the means
to defray their expenses. The Churches through which
these evangelists passed, bore their expenses from
one to the other. ~Adam Clarke
Diligently - 2 Timothy 4:9; Greek Speedily; i. e.,
facilitate their journey as much as possible.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
2 Timothy 4:9 [see
Lesson]
Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
Diligence: constant and earnest effort to
accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion
of body or mind.
4] That nothing
be wanting unto them.
That nothing be wanting unto them - which might be
proper for them in their travels, to make them
comfortable, and their journey pleasant and easy.
~John Gill
That nothing be wanting unto them - Nothing
necessary for their journey. Paul desired that they
might meet with hospitable treatment from Christians
in Crete, and might not be embarrassed for the want
of that which was needful for their journey. It
would seem most probable that they [Zenas and
Apollos] had been sent by Paul on a visit to the
churches. ~Barnes Notes
What did we learn?
1] That Zenas and Apollos are your brothers in
Christ and are faithful servants of the Work of God.
They were mighty in the scriptures.
2] That God calls individuals to the salvation
process and puts them to work.
3] That we are to do our duties before God with
diligence.
4] Christianity enjoins courtesy--faith and love
cannot be separate, so must good conscience [your
individual life in the salvation process] and
good manners [your diligence to others] go
together.
5] God gives us opportunities to do good works.
Today's opportunities will never return.
6] Testify your faith by your works. An opportunity
for doing good ought to be as much valued by us as
an opportunity for receiving it.
7] Learn not only to do, but to stand foremost in
doing good works, on all necessary occasions and
with every passing opportunity.
These are the lessons of verse 13.
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