There was no national postal service that the apostle Paul could rely on to get the Word of God out. He needed a faithful man to deliver this letter to Titus. We do not have any information on Artemas. He was obviously a faithful servant of the Lord. A faithful servant of the Lord does not need to have his name in lights. His name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and that is worth more than any earthly recognition a man might receive.
Tychicus is mentioned in the book of Colossians. As part of this letter, the apostle Paul wanted to meet with Titus over the winter months. The apostle Paul was a human being. He was given a message from God for Titus. Titus needed to set elders in place who would do the work of the Lord. Titus needed to instruct them and then he could leave them for a time while he went to meet with the apostle Paul. One of the things we learn about the apostle Paul is that he did not have many men he could rely on. The faithful servant of the Lord sometimes finds the road lonely as far as human companionship is concerned. The true servant of the Lord always has the Lord with him. God created man to desire human companionship as well. God would provide that at this time through Titus.
The apostle Paul stated that he would spend the winter in Nicopolis. This place is not readily identified. There were several cities with that name in the Roman empire. Based on Paul’s travels this one must have been either in the province of Macedonia or in Asia. That is where the apostle Paul spent much of his time.
It is quite possible that this letter was written in-between the time that the apostle Paul was released from prison in Rome and when he was rearrested a short time later. The apostle Paul had work to do. He took every opportunity granted to him to seek to be a blessing to other men of God. He was chosen by God to give wise counsel to godly men that they would need in their ministry to the saints and also the lost. There was a need for good, godly men in Paul’s day and there still is that same need today.
In verse 13 we are introduced to another man named Zenas. His name means ‘Jupiter’. He obviously was not an ungodly man at this time. He was a lawyer. I am sure he was not a swindler and a flatterer like most lawyers are. Lawyers are trained in the art of being spin doctors. They look for any way possible to twist the law and they try to confuse the judge and jury into thinking the way they think. Zenas may have been trained in that way, but the apostle Paul would never want such a man at his side. Salvation changes a man. Regardless of how he was trained, salvation takes the abilities of a man and refines them to make him worthy for the Lord’s work. Due to his ability to speak, he may well have become an itinerant evangelist. Apparently Apollos was travelling with him. We know that Apollos was a faithful evangelist. He was a bold disciple and a faithful man of God. He needed to be instructed further in the things of God, but he was teachable and he was an eloquent speaker.
God can take any person who is willing to turn to Him in repentance and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God can change that man into a man of God. He helps His servants to cast off the junk and build into their lives the truth.
Titus was assigned to assist both Zenas and Apollos on their way. Titus would be able to find some good godly men who would be able to meet the needs of these men as they would be travelling and preaching the Gospel.
The apostle Paul was more concerned about the work of the Lord than he was about his freedom and earthly treasures. The time for rewards is in heaven.
In verse 14 there was the need for a further reminder that those who name the name of Christ be men of good works for necessary uses. God saves some men who are well off. After they are saved they need to be reminded that their wealth is not for selfish gain. They do not need a huge retirement package. They need to be willing to help those who are called to preach the Word. Those who preach the word should not need to work a secular job to get by. If they need to do that, they cannot give themselves fully to the ministry. The preaching of the Gospel is a worthy calling. People need to hear the truth and they need to be reminded of the truth. God raises some men up to go and preach and he raises others up to support those who go and preach.
In verse 15 we see that those who were with Paul were also familiar with Titus. They wished him well. Titus was also called upon to greet those that love Paul and those with him. Those who are saved have the same faith.
We have talked of the multiplicity of faiths in our time. We have also talked of the ecumenical desire of many of those who are of different faiths. Paul was not referring to those. He was referring to those who were of the same faith as he was. Those are the ones that are worth knowing and they are the ones that need encouragement in the faith.
Again Paul mentioned the importance of grace. Titus needed to draw from the strength of the Lord. He needed God’s grace to guide and direct him. Those that were with him also needed that same grace. It is important to be prepared to serve the Lord in many different circumstances. The challenges are varied but the same God is in charge of all things and if the faithful servant of the Lord lives by His grace, they will be successful in the work that He has called them to.
Pastor Bartel