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INDEX
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COLLECTIONS
Commentaries, Word
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Titus 3:12
When I
send
Artemas
or
Tychicus to you,
make
every
effort to
come to me at
Nicopolis, for I have
decided to
spend the
winter
there. (NASB:
Lockman) |
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Greek:
hotan
pempso
(1SAAS)
Arteman
pros
se
e
Tychikon,
spoudason (2SAAM)
elthein (AAN)
pros
me
eis
Nikopolin,
ekei
gar
kekrika (1SRAI)
paracheimasai. (AAN)
Amplified: When I send Artemas or [perhaps] Tychicus to you,
lose no time but make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I
have decided to spend the winter there.
(Amplified
Bible - Lockman)
KJV:
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come
unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.
Phillips: As soon as I send Artemas
to you (or perhaps it will be Tychicus), do your best to come to me at
Nicopolis, for I have made up my mind to spend the winter there. (Phillips:
Touchstone)
Young's Literal:
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come
unto me to Nicopolis, for there to winter I have determined. |
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WHEN I SEND
ARTEMAS:
hotan pempso (1SAAS) Arteman:
The conclusion is devoted largely to
personal matters. Paul indicates his plans for the future
movements of Titus and lays upon him the immediate obligation to assist
Zenas and Apollos. The thought of material assistance is next related
more generally to the Cretan Christians.
Send (3992)
(pempo) means to dispatch, send, thrust out, cause to go.
Artemas
(734)
the masculine form of the
ancient Greek goddess, Artemis or Diana. contraction of Greek. Artemidoros,
“gift of Artemis,” i.e., Diana.
Artemas and Tychicus evidently were
available as replacements for Titus on Crete.
The
context
suggest Paul is sending
either Artemas or Tychicus to Crete, presumably to take Titus’ place
temporarily as the leader of the church there. Thus freed, Titus would
be able to meet Paul at Nicopolis where he had decided to spend the
winter. Of the several cities named Nicopolis, most commentators judge
the reference in Titus 3:12 to be Nicopolis in Epirus on the west coast
of Greece. Since there is a tradition preserved in
2 Timothy 3:10
(see
note) that Titus
went to Dalmatia, to the north of Nicopolis, it is probable that he
visited Paul along the way in Nicopolis and that Artemas (or Tychicus),
if Paul followed through with his plan, spent time in Crete serving the
church while Titus was away.
OR TYCHICUS TO
YOU:
pros se e Tychikon: (Acts
20:4;
see note
2 Timothy 4:12)
See
Tychicus
(5190)
"fortuitous, fortunate".
We first meet Tychicus in (Acts 20:4).
Paul was in Ephesus near the end of his third missionary journey. He
planned to return to Jerusalem via Macedonia, where he intended to
collect an offering. With the offerings from Galatia and Achaia, he
would present it to the needy believers at Jerusalem (cf. 1Cor 16:1-9). By
so doing, he hoped to cement the bond between the predominantly Gentile
churches outside of Palestine, and the predominantly Jewish church at
Jerusalem. He also planned to take some Gentile believers from Greece
and Asia Minor as representatives of their churches to the Jerusalem
church. Among them was Tychicus.
Tychicus’ willingness to travel with Paul to Jerusalem shows his
servant’s heart. Such a journey was not to be undertaken lightly. Travel
in the ancient world was far more difficult and dangerous than in our
day. The trip to Jerusalem would be very arduous, and it would take
Tychicus away from his family, friends, and church for a long time.
Along the way, Paul was repeatedly warned that trouble awaited him in
Jerusalem. Although Tychicus must certainly have heard those warnings,
he remained with Paul.
As Paul wrote Colossians, it had been more than two years since his
arrest at Jerusalem. Since then he had survived a plot by the Jewish
leaders to murder him, trials before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, and a
harrowing voyage to Rome. Tychicus may have been with Paul through that
entire time. He definitely was with him during his imprisonment at Rome.
After Paul’s release, Tychicus remained with him. When Paul needed a
temporary replacement for Titus as pastor of the church on Crete,
Tychicus was one of the ones considered (note
Titus 3:12
).
Tychicus, who had begun as a messenger, was now a candidate to fill in
for as great a man as Titus.
At the very end of Paul’s life, during his second Roman imprisonment,
Tychicus was still with him. Facing imminent execution, Paul desired to
see Timothy one last time. Because Timothy could not leave his
congregation at Ephesus without a replacement, Paul sent Tychicus (see
note
2 Timothy 4:12). Once again, Tychicus’
name comes up as a replacement for one of Paul’s prominent associates.
That speaks highly of his character.
The writing of Colossians (see note
Colossians 4:7) finds Tychicus in Rome with Paul during his
first imprisonment. By this time about four years have passed since
Tychicus joined Paul in Ephesus. Because he is a man of proven loyalty,
Paul has an important task for him: He is to deliver the letter to the
Colossians. Not only does he carry Colossians, but Ephesians (cf. notes
Ephesians 6:21)
and probably Philemon as well (cf. 4:9). The trip from Rome to Colossae
was a difficult one. Tychicus would first have to cross much of Italy on
foot, then sail across the Adriatic Sea. After traversing Greece on
foot, he would sail across the Aegean Sea to the coast of Asia Minor.
After all that, he still faced a journey of nearly one hundred miles on
foot to reach Colossae. That he was entrusted with delivering three
inspired books of Scripture once again indicates Paul’s trust in him.}
Not only will Tychicus deliver the letter of Colossians, he will also
bring the Colossians information about Paul’s affairs and update them on
his circumstances. That would include bringing them information on
Paul’s health, his hopes, and his future prospects. He would also
encourage their hearts by adding a personal word of encouragement to
what was written in the letter and answering their queries about Paul’s
condition.
Paul next lists three credentials Tychicus possessed that qualified him
to act as Paul’s personal envoy. First, he was a beloved brother in the
Lord. That Paul calls him a brother shows he was one of the family of
believers. His personal character had earned him the designation beloved
from no less than the apostle Paul himself. Second, Paul describes him
as a faithful servant. He never achieved prominence, but he served in an
important capacity as Paul’s liaison to the churches. He was a faithful
steward of his ministry—the highest commendation Paul could give (cf.
1Cot 4:2). Finally, Paul calls him a fellow bond-servant in the Lord. He
was a diakonos (servant) in relationship to Paul, but a sundoulos
(fellow bond-servant) with Paul in relationship to the Lord.
Colossians 4:7
(note)- beloved brother and faithful servant (diakonos) and fellow
bondservant (sundoulos) in the Lord
Ephesians 6:21 - the beloved brother and faithful minister (diakonos) in the
Lord, will make everything known to you.
2 Timothy 4:12
(note)
- I have sent to Ephesus.
MAKE EVERY EFFORT
TO COME TO ME AT NICOPOLIS:
spoudason (2SAAM) elthein (AAN) pros me eis Nikopolin:
Make every every
(4704)
(spoudazo from spoude = earnestness, diligence) (Click
in depth study of
spoudazo)
conveys the idea
hastening to do something with the implication of associated energy or
with intense effort and motivation. It means marked by careful
unremitting attention or persistent application. The idea is give
maximum effort, do your best, spare no effort, hurry on, be eager!
Hasten to do a thing, exert yourself, endeavour to do it. It means not
only to be willing to do with eagerness, but to follow through and make
diligent effort. In other words spoudazo does not stop with
affecting one's state of mind, but also affects one's activity.
Spoudazo conveys the idea of exertion. It means to be conscientious,
zealous and earnest in discharging a duty or obligation. The verb
calls for intensity of purpose
followed by intensity of effort toward the realization of that
purpose.
Aorist imperative
signifies a command to do this now even with a sense of urgency. Be
diligent, conveying the idea of zealous persistence to accomplish an
objective. "Do your utmost!"
To be diligent is to exert
steady, earnest, and energetic effort and suggests earnest application
to some specific object or pursuit. The idea is careful and persevering
in carrying out tasks or duties. It means to be assiduous (marked by
careful unremitting attention or persistent application).
Spoudazo basically means to make haste, and from that come the
meanings of zeal and diligence. One commentator describes it as a holy
zeal that demands full dedication.
Wuest says that spoudazo
means
"to make haste, do one’s best, take
care, desire. The idea of making haste, being eager, giving diligence,
and putting forth effort are in the word. The word speaks of intense
effort and determination." (Wuest,
K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Studies in the
Vocabulary of the Greek New Testament: Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)
See
Nicopolis
The most likely site for the
meeting was the Nicopolis
in Epirus; this same Nicopolis is also known as Nicopolis of Achaia.
This variance has resulted because Tacitus (Ann. 2.53) described it as
an Achaian town, whereas Ptolemy (Geog. 3.13) ascribed it to Epirus. The
two terms are designations for large portions of what is today modern
Greece. It was located on the W side of the Greek peninsula across the
sea from the S end of the Italian peninsula (39°02´N; 20°44´E). The city
was built on the isthmus of the Bay of Actium. Augustus founded the city
in commemoration of the important naval victory over Mark Anthony in 31
b.c. which took place in the bay. The undisputed Princeps established
the city as a Roman colony. The show piece of Nicopolis was a memorial
dedicated in 29 b.c. to Neptune and Mars. The monument was decorated
with a number of rams from the front of ships captured during the naval
conflict. The city dominated the trade of the region and was the venue
for a quadrennial festival which rivaled the Olympic games. Herod the
Great, in his typical flair for promoting his own position with
Augustus, made generous donations toward the construction of a temple
there, as well as for numerous other public buildings (Josephus, Ant
16.5.3 § 147). The city became the home of the exiled philosopher
Epictetus in a.d. 89 (Aulus Gellius Attic Nights 15.11.5). The site is
occupied today by the modern village of Smyrtoula.
Paul’s intention to meet Titus in Nicopolis sometime after being
released from prison in Rome would have been a continuation of his
evangelistic endeavor. It is widely held that after traveling through
Miletus and Corinth, Paul made his way to Nicopolis, where he was
arrested and returned to Rome in a second Roman imprisonment.
FOR I HAVE
DECIDED TO SPEND THE WINTER THERE:
ekei gar kekrika (1SRAI) paracheimasai.
(AAN):
(Acts 27:12; 1 Cor 16:6):
Decided (2919)
(krino) primarily signifies to distinguish and in this
context
means to come to a conclusion in the process of thinking. Paul had come
to the settled conclusion that it was best to winter in Nicopolis.
Although he does not state it plainly, there is little doubt that he had
come to this conclusion after consultation with His Father in heaven,
for he always sought to do His will on earth as it was done in heaven.
Decided is in the
perfect tense which speaks of an action completed in past
time having present results. The use of this tense by Paul is indicative
of a person who thinks a matter through and finally comes to a
conclusion where he is so sure of himself that he is settled in his
determination to follow a certain course of action. Paul thought the
matter through carefully as to the advisability of spending the winter
season in which travel by land was difficult, and by sea impossible, at Nicopolis, and came to the settled conclusion that that city was the
best place at which he could stay.
Spend the winter (3914)
(paracheimazo from para = alongside, beside + +
cheimázo = to be tossed with tempest) (See sermon entitled
Come Before Winter)
Winter is a season. Seasons
pass. And when they pass, the opportunities (Click
for an in depth word study on
kairos,
the Greek Word which means "opportunity") that were present during that
season will also pass. God gives us all opportunities but He won't force
us to respond. We have to choose to respond to opportunities.
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DILIGENTLY
HELP...ON THEIR WAY:
spoudaios propempson, (2SAAM):
(Acts
21:5;
28:10;
Romans 15:24;
1 Corinthians 16:11;
3 John 1:6-8)
Diligently help
- Spurgeon comments
Paul had already told Titus to bid
the saints in Crete to abound in good works; now he is commanded to take
care of certain travelling Christians, and to speed them on their way.
It was the custom in olden times, when travelling was very different
from what it is now, when the Christians passed from one town to
another, to find out the church, and to be entertained and speeded on
their journey by their fellow-believers. Thus they kept up a practical
fellowship of love to all the saints.
In this verse we
get a glimpse of Paul as a great spiritual general moving his workers
into strategic positions.
Diligently (4709)
(spoudaios from speudo = hasten, make haste) means to do
this task earnestly, eagerly and promptly. Spoudaios describes
the attitude and actions of the godly Onesiphorus who came to the aid of
Paul in a Roman prison when all who were in Asia had turned away from
him. Paul testified that Onesiphorus...
"often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains but when he was in
Rome, he eagerly searched for me, and found me (see notes
2 Timothy 1:16;
1:17)
Help
on their
way (4311)
(propempo from pró = before + pémpo = to send)
means literally to send on before and is used in the NT,
meaning to send
forward on one’s journey, to
accompany someone on his way for some distance as a token of respect and
honor. Hence, propempo means in general to help one forward on their
journey.
Titus had been divinely given a similar earnestness in his heart for the
Corinthian church, Paul recording...
thanks be to God, Who puts
the same earnestness (spoude - speaks of an attitude which births
an action) on your behalf (the Corinthians) in the heart of Titus. For
he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has
gone to you of his own accord. (2 Cor 8:16,17)
Have you ever ask
God specifically to place an earnestness in your heart for your
brethren, another church, a missionary, etc.? What would happen to our
churches in America if the pastors with a spirit of love suggested that the local body
ask God for this perfect gift? This is an interesting spiritual
dynamic to consider.
ZENAS THE
LAWYER:
Zenan ton nomikon: (Matthew
22:35;
Luke 7:30;
10:25;
11:45,52;
14:3)
See
Zenas
In the absence of
any example of this word being used as referring to the legal
profession, it seems best to assume that Zenas was a lawyer in the usual
NT sense, an expert in the Mosaic law.
AND APOLLOS:
kai Apollon:
See
Apollos
A charismatic young
convert in the early Christian community, described as “a man of
learning, powerful in the scriptures” (Acts
18:24) who eventually had
some impact on the churches of Achaia, notably Corinth (Acts
18:24-28;1 Cor 1:12; 3:4-6).
SO THAT
NOTHING IS LACKING FOR THEM: hina meden autois leipe. (3SPAS) :
Lacking (3007)
(leipo) means to fall short, be destitute
or be in need. It pictures one not possessing something which is
necessary. It means to be deficient in something that ought to be
present for whatever reason. It can also mean to leave, fail or forsake.
Leipo is used 6 times in the
NAS...
Luke 18:22 And when Jesus
heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all
that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Comment: Jesus defines
the one thing that hindered the rich man from a life of discipleship.
The things he had were the reason he lacked!)
Titus 1:5 (note) For this reason I
left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and
appoint elders in every city as I directed you, (see
note) (Comment: Titus was
to correct and set straight certain doctrines. Presumably Paul or others
had accomplished some of the correcting, but the correcting still
fell short or was lacking) James
1:4-5 let endurance have its perfect
result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking (leipo) in
nothing. But if any of you lacks (leipo) wisdom, let him ask of
God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will
be given to him. (Comment: The ultimate goal of the trials was
maturity, completeness, not lacking or being deficient in
anything of spiritual value.)
James 2:15 If a brother or
sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
Leipo is found 3 times in the
Septuagint (LXX)
(Job 4:11; Pr 11:3; 19:4)
This matter of assisting Christian
workers on their journey is mentioned in different places by Paul (Romans
15:24 [note]; 1Cor. 16:6, 11; 2 Cor. 1:16). |
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AND LET OUR
PEOPLE ALSO
LEARN: manthanetosan
(3PPAM) de kai hoi hemeteroi:
Our people
(3588)
in
context refers to the
Christian brethren who lived
in Crete. They were the Cretan converts, not just Paul’s friends.
Learn
(3129)
(manthano compare similar word mathetes = disciple) refers to
intentional learning by inquiry and observation (cf
inductive
Bible study!).
Manthano means to genuinely understand and accept a teaching as true
and to apply it in one’s life.
Paul uses the
present imperative
which indicates that this instruction is mandatory and needs to be the
church's lifestyle.
Paul desires (and commands) for the believers on Crete to continually
keep learning how to do the following actions.
This particular
opportunity to help Zenas and Apollos would be a concrete example of at
least one kind of good work.
McGee
observes that...
We must “learn” to maintain
good works. It’s something that must be worked at. A great many people
think it is easy; we need to know what God considers good works, and we
need to learn how to do them. (McGee,
J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
TO ENGAGE
(give attention to)
IN GOOD DEEDS:
kalon ergon proistasthai (PMN)
: (Acts
18:3;
20:35;
Ephesians 4:28;
1 Thessalonians 2:9;
2 Thessalonians 3:8)
Engage (4291)
(proistemi from pró = before, over + hístemi =
place, stand) means literally to stand before and figuratively as in the
present
context
conveys the idea to give attention to. Paul use the
present tense
which calls for this to be their habitual practice with the
middle voice
calling for their personal (reflexive) involvement.
Good
(2570) (kalos) is used to describe whatever
is inherently or intrinsically good, that which is genuinely beautiful,
of those things that fully conform to their basic nature and purpose.
Their "beautiful" deeds should shine forth in a Cretan society that had
a widespread reputation for "evil" deeds.
The basic meaning of kalos is
good with emphasis on that which is beautiful, handsome, excellent,
surpassing, precious, commendable, admirable. Inherently excellent or
intrinsically good: providing some special or superior benefit. In
classical usage, originally as descriptive of outward form, beautiful;
of usefulness, as a fair haven, a fair wind. Auspicious, as sacrifices.
Morally beautiful, noble; hence virtue is called to kalon . The New
Testament usage is similar. Outwardly fair, as the stones of the temple
(Lu 21:5); well adapted to its purpose, as salt (Mk 9:50); competent for
an office, as deacons (1Ti 4:6); a steward (note
1 Peter 4:10);
a soldier (note
2 Timothy 2:3);
expedient, wholesome (Mk 9:43, 45, 47); morally good, noble, as works
(see note
Matthew 5:16);
conscience (note
Hebrews 13:18).
The phrase it is good, i.e., a good or proper thing (note
Romans 14:21).
In the Septuagint kalos is the most commonly used word for good as
opposed to evil (Ge 2:17; 24:50; Isa 5:20).
Illustration - Jean Louis Agassiz, the Swiss naturalist, was invited
to deliver a lecture to a prestigious organization. When he turned down
the engagement, saying that it would distract him from research and
writing, the organization said that it would pay a large honorarium.
“That’s no inducement to me,” Agassiz said. “I can’t afford to waste my
time making money.” Certainly, there is more to work than making money.
But for most of us, earning a living is a major reason we work. Today’s
passage indicates that this is a legitimate motivation. In verse 14 Paul
reminds Titus of the need to teach others to “provide for daily
necessities.” (Today in the Word)
TO MEET PRESSING NEEDS:
eis tas anagkaias chreias:
The Cretan
Christians are not only to conduct themselves properly, but are to
engage only in honorable occupations and to make themselves practically
useful to all the other believers.
Pressing (316)
(anagkaios from anágke = necessity, compelling
force) refers to what one cannot do without because it is
indispensable. It refers to what ought to be done according to the
law of duty (in this
context the law of Christian love not legalism).
Anagkaios refers to what is required by the circumstances.
Needs (5532)
(chreia from chréos = debt) in this case refers to that
which is lacking and particularly needed.
Guthrie
writes that
“The practical side of Christianity
is here brought into vivid focus. The words for necessary uses can be
understood either as necessitous cases or as wants. The more probable
interpretation is the former, as RSV ”so as to help cases of urgent
need.“ All who engage in such works of mercy need never fear that they
will be unfruitful” (Guthrie,
Donald: The Pastoral Epistles. Tyndale).
In short, Paul does not want anyone to be idle.
In a similar exhortation to the church at Thessalonica Paul wrote
Now as to the love of the brethren,
you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are
taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward
all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to
excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and
attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we
commanded you; so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and not
be in any need. (see notes
1Thessalonians 4:9;
4:10;
4:11;
4:12)
For even when we were with you, we
used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him
eat. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life,
doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we
command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and
eat their own bread. (2 Thes 3:10-12)
THAT THEY MAY NOT BE UNFRUITFUL:
hina me osin (3SPAS) akarpoi: (Isaiah
61:3;
Matthew 7:19;
21:19;
Luke 13:6-9;
John 15:8,16;
Romans 15:28;
Philippians 1:11;
Philippians 4:17;
Colossians 1:10;
Hebrews 6:6-12;
2 Peter 1:8 | | |
