Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 27

Paul's Final Instructions to Titus and Farewell

Titus 3:12-15 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen. KJV

The aging Apostle has now come to the end of this one and only recorded letter written to Titus ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia, and in so doing he gives him some final instructions that are practical and spiritual with these words first, "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter." (Titus 3:12) (KJV). Paul wanted Titus to be diligent or to make haste to come to him in Nicopolis (which was the home town of Brother Titus) perhaps because of this fact is why Paul has decided to spend the winter there. At the time of Paul writing this letter to Titus, he had not yet arrived in Nicopolis. Some Bible Commentators think that this is not the same Nicopolis where Titus was born and raised, but this is not a point of significance which city it was or was not, for Paul wanted to have Brother Titus with him in person so that he could make sure he was understanding all that had been written to him and perhaps to impart some spiritual gift to him (Romans 1:11). Paul had likewise closed his letter to Brother Timothy with the same request to come to him quickly (2 Timothy 4:21). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "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."

Immediately after instructing Titus to come to him, Paul tells him to bring with him two other men and notice how there is no language of this sort, 'If your schedule and their schedule will permit?' Here is what he wrote, "Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them." (Titus 3:13) (KJV). When Paul the Apostle instructed someone to do something or to go somewhere, it was never questioned, but immediately obeyed. Here is what the JFB Commentary wrote concerning this verse, "Enable them to proceed forward by supplying necessaries for their journey. Zenas the contracted form of Zenodorus, a Jewish 'scribe,' who, when converted, still retained the title from his former occupation. A civil lawyer. Apollos with Zenas, probably the bearers of this Epistle. In 1 Corinthians 16:12, Apollos is mentioned as purposing to visit Corinth; his now being at Corinth (on the theory of Paul being at Corinth when he wrote) accords with this purpose. Crete would be on his way either to Palestine or his native place, Alexandria. Paul and Apollos thus appear in beautiful harmony in that very city where their names had been formerly the watchword of unchristian party work. It was to avoid this party rivalry that Apollos formerly was unwilling to visit Corinth though Paul desired him. Hippolytus mentions Zenas as one of the Seventy, and afterwards bishop of Diospolis."

Paul was very quick to point out things that were not right between brethren and perhaps this is why he emphasizes in the previous verse to make sure that they provided all that Zenas and Apollos would need to make the journey, so now he writes these last words as a final reminder, "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." (Titus 3:14) (KJV). Maybe Titus had not done so with Zenas and Apollos in the past as he should have, so Paul wants this to be another reminder for him that will always be there for him to refer to in the future. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say about this verse, "But ... also. Not only thou, but let others also of 'our' fellow believers (or 'whom we have gained over at Crete') with thee, for necessary uses — to supply the necessary wants of Christian missionaries and brethren, according as they stand in need in their journeys for the Lord's cause." Lastly, Paul bids his farewell to Brother Titus at the end of this letter sending greetings to him (before he arrives) from all those there with Paul with these words, "All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen." (Titus 3:15) (KJV). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning Paul's final farewell words in this letter to Titus, "Salute them that love us in the faith. All at Crete had not this love rooted in faith, the true bond of fellowship. A salutation peculiar to this Epistle, such as no forger, that is, counterfeiter would have used. 'The grace,' namely, of God be with you all — not that the Epistle is addressed to all the Cretan Christians, but Titus would naturally impart it to his flock."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…