Titus - 16

A Study Of The Book Of Titus.

Lesson 16 Chapter 3:12 – 15

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 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.”
1. On the two men mentioned here “Artemas” and “Tychicus”

a. Artemas - It is believed that Paul had seventy or so men who worked with him in the ministry and he was one of those seventy.

b. It is also believed one of these two men were to replace Titus so he could go and meet Paul for the winter. “…come unto me to…” verse 12. This allows us to believe he was trained and trusted enough to continue the work Titus had started.

c. Tychicus – We know him from our study in Colossians. It is believed he was sent to Colossae and Ephesus and with Paul’s to those churches. Colossians 4:7 - 9 "All my state shall Tychicus 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; (9.) With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here." - Ephesians 6:21 - 23 "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: (22.) Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. (23.) Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

2. “…be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis…”

a. The word “diligent” means - to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest. – Which gives us the urgency Paul was using.

b. Nicopolis – This is where Paul was going to spend the winter and where he wanted Titus to meet him. There were three places in the Roman Empire that were named Nicopolis (literally, "city of victory" because Augustus Cæsar gained the great battle of Actium there). The city mentioned here probably was on the western coast of Greece. Titus would have to leave soon because sea travel was dangerous in the winter months.

3. “…for I have determined there to winter.” Winters as we know can be hard and travel was slow and outside so hibernating for the winter was not unusual. Could you imagine what it must have been like in this church with Paul, Titus, and the others to have been with them there all winter with not much to do but have church, sing psalms, and to have prayed together, wow what a blessed thought.
1. Verse 13 “Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.”
1. Zenas the lawyer - There is not any 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. The word “lawyer” here is a noun, and means - an expert in the (Mosaic) law – not necessarily a lawyer as we recognize them.
2. Apollos – It is believed He was also well-skilled in the laws of Moses, being “mighty in the Scriptures” as stated in Acts 18:24 "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus." – this would have been the Old Testament because they are the only scriptures they had.
3. So both of these men were scholars in Jewish law and the Old Testament scriptures. What a blessed entourage Paul had with him.
2. Verse 14 “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.”
1. “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses…”

a. The words “maintain good works” means - to stand before, that is, (in rank) – meaning to allow your good words to stand front and foremost in your life, at home, at work, and everywhere else as a testimony of your place in Christ Jesus.

b. We must be reminded of verse 8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

c. Acts 20:35 "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

2. “that they be not unfruitful.”

a. Unfruitful Christians are like unfruitful trees; worthless. Matthew 7:17 - 20 "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18.) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (19.) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (20.) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

b. John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

4. Verse 15 “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.”
1. “…Greet them that love us in the faith…” Not just because they are simply men, or that they could be our family or freinds, or because of any exernal things, but because they are Christians, because of their faith in doctrine, or who love us faithfully, sincerely, and uprightly, from their hearts, and not in word and tongue only. - 2 John 1:1 - 2 “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; (2.) For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.”
2. “…Grace be with you all. Amen.” - which is the common concluding salutation in all Paul's epistles. This shows that this epistle was not designed for Titus only, but for the saints at Crete.