Farewell. Titus 3:12-15.
When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful. All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Dear Saints,
Paul concludes the letter with personal instructions to Titus. The relationship with Titus was more than a ministry partnership. They shared friends and had similar goals.
Arrangements (v. 12). Paul plans to spend the winter at Nicopolis, a port city northwest of Corinth. He wants Titus to begin the journey to join him there as soon as Artemas (there is no mention of him anywhere else in the New Testament) and Tychicus (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2Timothy 4:12) arrive in Crete. Paul may have sent them to replace Titus in Crete or more probably, to accompany Titus to Nicopolis.
Assistance (v. 13). Zenas (not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament) and Apollos (Acts 18:24; 19:1; 1Corinthians 3:6) were probably the bearers of this letter. Paul has sent them on another mission after the delivery of this letter and wants Titus to assist and provision them with the journey.
Appeal (v. 14). Yet again Paul encourages Christians to do good. In this particular case, it is specifically so as to meet the needs of others in the community. To do so is to be fruitful, as in the fruit of the Spirit is love, kindness, and goodness (Galatians 5:22).
Acknowledgment (v. 15). Paul is not alone. There are others with him, whose greetings to Titus he conveys. Titus is not alone either. Paul sends greetings to those who love Paul and his companions because they are of the same faith. Paul signs of with grace. That grace is central to Paul’s understanding of the gospel is obvious. He begins his letters with greetings of grace, expounds on grace in the content, and speaks grace as a farewell. Put simply, there is no gospel without grace – God’s saving favor to undeserving sinners. Have you been touched by grace?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.