Titus 3:12-15

CONCLUSION 3:12-15

Text 3:12-15

12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter.
13 Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
15 All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all.

Thought Questions 3:12-15

150.

Why was Paul sending Artemas or Tychicus to Titus?

151.

Where is Nicopolis? (Do not shrug this question off with a I do not knowyou have a map; look it up!)

152.

Why spend the winter in Nicopolis? That is, why not move on to other fields?

153.

What is the meaning of the expression, set forward, in Titus 3:13?

154.

How is the word, diligently, used in Titus 3:13?

155.

Is Paul asking Titus or the churches to pay the traveling expenses of Zenas and Apollos? Where are these men going?

156.

What are the good works and the necessary uses of Titus 3:14?

157.

In what sense would the Cretans be unfruitful, as used in Titus 3:14 b?

158.

From where was this epistle to Titus written? Please refer to the introduction for your answer, Who are some of the possble persons to be with Paul?

159.

Just what was the salute mentioned in Titus 3:15?

160.

How is the word faith used in Titus 3:15 b?

Paraphrase 3:12-15

12 When I shall send either Artemas to thee, or Tychicus, to supply thy place in Crete, leave the churches to his management, and as speedily as possible, come to me at Nicopolis, for there I have determined to winter,

13 Diligently supply Zenas the lawyer, and Appolos (see Acts 18:24-28), with whatever is necessary for their journey, that, in coming to me, nothing which they need may be wanting to them.

14 And, that the expense necessary to such offices may be defrayed, let our disciples in Crete also learn to follow honest trades for supplying what is necessary to themselves, and that they may not be unfruitful in good offices to others.
15 All my fellow-labourers who are with me in Colosse wish thee health. Present my good wishes to them in Crete, who shew their love to me by maintaining the true faith of Christ, The favour and blessing of God be with all of you. Amen.

Comment 3:12-15

Titus 3:12. A few closing and personal words from Paul to Titus. It is vain to speculate as to the identity of Artemas. Attempts at identification have been made, and if you wish to read them, we refer you to our bibliography. Tychicus is well-known to us; see: Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12. We do know Paul trusted these men and intended for one of them to carry out the work after Titus left. There must have been, for Titus, further plans for evangelism and the establishment of churches. We prefer to locate Nicopolis on the coast of Greece. There were a good number of cities with the name, Nicopolis (city of victory), so-called because of some military triumph. Paul refers to the one at Epirus, founded by Augustus in 30 B.C. in honor of his victory at Actium, four miles from Nicopolis. Paul had not yet arrived in this city, but planned to be here for work and plans during the winter. Surely he selected an excellent place by way of climate.

Titus 3:13. Perhaps we have here a reference to those who carried the letter from Paul to Titus. Was Zenas a law expert or jurist in the Roman sense, or with the Old Testament? His name is Roman, but then, so is Paul a Roman name, and so is the name Apollos. We prefer to think of him as referred to in Acts 18:24 and last mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:12. Titus is here instructed to outfit and expedite for a journey (Lenski) these faithful men. They are not on Crete as yet, but are on their way (perhaps with this letter), and when they arrive they are to be helped on this way, and this is to be done in a diligent manner.

Titus 3:14. Titus could not himself provide the funds necessary for Zenas and Apollos. He is to lead in obtaining from the churches the necessary provisions. But Titus is not alone responsible for such leadership in good works. Our people are to lead out in such cases of necessity, that at other times of less obvious need they will not be unfruitful. Paul looked upon the matter of helping one another as an opportunity for Christian growth, not a burdensome duty.

Titus 3:15. Where was Paul when he wrote this letter? We have suggested he was probably in some part of Macedoniapossibly Philippi. Those traveling companions of Paul (which seem always to be with him) send greetings to Titus who probably at other times were co-labourers with Titus and the apostle. Paul assumes that many, if not all, of the saints of the churches on Crete will feel warmly toward him as an apostle and servant of Christ Jesus. On this basis he greets each of those who read or hear this letter read.

May all be constantly aware of God's favor toward us in Christ Jesus.

Fact Questions 3:12-15

99

Give two facts about Artemas and Tychicus.

100.

Give two facts about Nicopolis.

101.

What did Paul plan to do while in Nicopolis?

102.

State two facts about Zenas and Apollos.

103.

Just what was Titus-' responsibility for Zenas and Apollos?

104.

The churches on Crete were going to have an opportunity to be fruitful in Christian servicewhat was this opportunity?

105.

Where was Paul when he wrote this letter? Who sends greetings to whom?