"THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

Finis And Farewell (3:12-15)

INTRODUCTION
  1. We began our study of the epistle to Titus by noticing that Paul...
    1. Left him in Crete (a large island in the Mediterranean Sea - Ti 1:5
    2. Charged him to "set in order the things that are lacking" - Tit 1:5
  2. Making our way through the epistle, we saw that this involved...
    1. Appointing elders in every city, according to qualifications given - Tit 1:5-16
    2. Speaking things proper for sound doctrine, such as the conduct of members - Tit 2:1-10
    3. Reminding brethren of God's grace, and how heirs of grace should act - Tit 2:11-3:11
  3. We now come to the conclusion of Paul's epistle, which includes some...
    1. Final messages for Titus - Tit 3:12-14
    2. Farewell greetings for Titus and those with him - Tit 3:15

[In this "Finis And Farewell" by the apostle Paul, we are first introduced to several individuals, and reminded of our duty related to good works...]

  1. FINAL MESSAGES
    1. REGARDING ARTEMAS AND TYCHICUS...
      1. Artemas may be coming to Titus - Tit 3:12
        1. Not mentioned elsewhere in the Scriptures
        2. One of the seventy disciples and bishop of Lystra, according to Dorotheus (Bibl. Maxima (Lugd. 1677), III, 429) - ISBE
      2. Tychicus may come instead - Tit 3:12
        1. A Christian from Asia (Turkey), mentioned four times elsewhere in the Scriptures
        2. Traveled with Paul during the end of his third journey - Ac 20:4
        3. Sent to Ephesus and Colosse with information on Paul's welfare - Ep 6:21-22; Col 4:7-8
        4. Sent to Ephesus near the end of Paul's life - 2Ti 4:12
        5. Truly "a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord" - Col 4:7
      3. Upon either man's arrival, Titus was to be diligent in coming to Nicopolis - Tit 3:12
        1. In western Greece, only a few miles north of modern Prevesa
        2. To meet Paul there, where he had decided to winter
        -- It was men like this who helped apostles like Paul to accomplish so much!
    2. REGARDING ZENAS AND APOLLOS...
      1. Zenas, the lawyer - Tit 3:13
        1. Possibly a Jewish scribe learned in Hebrew law prior to his conversion
        2. Or perhaps a Roman jurist
      2. Apollos, the orator - Tit 3:13
        1. An eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures - Ac 18:24-26
        2. Taught the way of God more accurately by Aquila and Priscilla - Ac 18:26
        3. Who greatly helped the brethren in Achaia (Corinth) - Ac 18:27-28; 19:1
        4. Who was improperly idolized by brethren in Corinth - 1Co 1:10-13; 3:3-9; 4:6; 16:12
      3. Titus was to send them on their journey - Tit 3:13
        1. With haste, lacking nothing
        2. With hospitality commended by the apostles - Ro 15:24; 1Co 16:11; 3Jn 6-8
        -- It was hospitality like this that helped spread Christianity so quickly!
    3. REGARDING GOOD WORKS...
      1. Once again Paul mentions the importance of "good works" - Ti 3:14
        1. To meet urgent needs
        2. That they may not be unfruitful - cf. Jn 15:1-2
      2. "Our people" (Christians) must "learn to maintain good works"
        1. The word for "learn" is manthanetosan
        2. It is present active imperative; i.e., keep on learning how - Robertson's Word Pictures
      3. Working our way back through this epistle, we learn that Christians should:
        1. Learn to maintain good works - Tit 3:14
        2. Be careful to maintain good works - Tit 3:8
        3. Be ready for every good work - Tit 3:1
        4. Be zealous for good works - Tit 2:14
        5. Be a pattern of good works - Tit 2:7
      4. Otherwise, we might like some become "disqualified for every good work" - Tit 1:16
      -- Are we willing to learn to maintain good works in our service to Christ?

    [With his final messages to Titus complete, Paul concludes his epistle with...]

  2. FAREWELL GREETINGS
    1. TO TITUS...
      1. Sent by all who were with Paul - Tit 3:15
      2. None are mentioned by name, unlike that found elsewhere - e.g., Ro 16:21-24
      3. Perhaps Titus knew who they were, so no mention was necessary
      -- Titus enjoyed a fellowship that extended beyond his association with Paul
    2. TO OTHERS...
      1. "Those who love us in the faith" - Tit 3:15
      2. Christians who loved Paul and those with him
      -- Paul enjoyed a fellowship that extended beyond his association with Titus
    3. "GRACE BE WITH YOU ALL"...
      1. This epistle was not designed for Titus only, but for the saints at Crete - Gill 2 "Grace" properly means "favor" - Barnes
      2. It closes the Epistles as a sufficient summary of all the blessings that can be wished Christian readers - ISBE
      -- Certainly appropriate, in an epistle which spoke eloquently of God's grace - Tit 2:11; 3:7
CONCLUSION
  1. Thus ends Paul's epistle to Titus...
    1. A short, simple letter, but one filled with counsel related to a minister's work
    2. Made poignant when remembering Paul's circumstances (his own ministry was nearing its end)
  2. May all who read this epistle take it to heart...
    1. Setting in order whatever things may be lacking in our own congregations
    2. Speaking things proper for sound doctrine, avoiding foolish disputes
    3. Being careful to maintain good works, remembering that we are heirs of grace

If we do so, then Paul's closing benediction will apply to us as well:

"Grace be with you all. Amen."