The overall theme of the epistle to Titus is that Christians should maintain good works, and much of the book is devoted to the disguising of organization and behavior to that end.
That overall message us emphasized here at the end of the letter, both in direct words and in the glimpse we get of Paul and his ministry.
Four people are mentioned here. Zenas and Apollos arrived in Crete with the letter, and Paul asks Titus to help them on their way. Meanwhile, Tychicus and Artemas would be arriving in Crete at some point, and once they arrived it would free up Titus to meet Paul in Nicopolis up in mainland Greece.
Artemas we don’t know much about, but Tychicus is mentioned throughout the New Testament, including in Ephesians, where he is called “beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.” He may be taking over for Titus so he can go north.
Paul had decided to spend the winter there – note that he himself decided, rather than receiving word from the Holy Spirit or some other revelation. While the latter two are seen throughout Paul’s life, much of the result church was built on the wisdom and decisions of the apostles, guided more subtly by the spirit than we sometimes imagine.
The other pair, Zenas and Apollos, are similar, in that we know more about one than the other. Zenas is a lawyer, probably a Roman jurist, but he is only mentioned here. Apollos is well known, having a major role in the book of Acts where he shows up speaking eloquently but needing training, which is provided by Priscilla and Aquila. He went on to pastor at Corinth as well.
Titus was supposed to help them on their way, a common request in the epistles. It is a very practical good deed, a direct example of the hospitality Paul has earlier called on Titus to encourage.
These small, practical actions are examples of what Paul then tells Titus to impress upon the believers in Crete: devote themselves to good works, especially addressing the urgent needs that would inevitably arise. The church is not there to serve every need, but to strategically and carefully address those of the most urgency and important.
But there are plenty of these. There are always needs to meet, and that is a key role of the Church. We are not just here to learn and fellowship, but also to serve – to “not be unfruitful.”
And we also learn from this passage something about how this is to be done – in community. The believers traveling all came in pairs, and Paul wanted Titus to join him. Paul always worked in a team, and is there with others who also sent their greetings.
We are the same, both working and growing together in community, and supported and prayed for by many others around the country and world – so let’s act like it!
– Sermon Notes, Mahlon Friesen, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, March 8, 2020