While studying the letter of
Paul the apostle to Titus, we have learned much about leadership,
behavior, attitudes and church ministry. We also have learned the
importance of these to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now in the
benediction of this wonderful book, we are learning the value of
others helping in the ministry. Paul continues his list of helpful
friends in chapter three and verse thirteen. He wrote:
Paul
first lists “Zenas the lawyer” in
his writing. The word Zenas is the contracted form of Zenordorus and
means “Zues”. Interestingly enough, here is a man who was named
after a Roman god who was a teacher of Jewish law or a scribe. It is
only conjecture but it is quite possible that Zenas was a civil
lawyer who when he converted to Jesus Christ he became a scribe of
the Jewish law and therefore retained the title of lawyer.
Nonetheless, Paul felt him important enough to have Titus bring him
on their journey.
Next
Paul mentions “Apollos”.
Apollos whose name means “came from Apollos” which was another
Roman god was spoken of several times in the scriptures. He became a
Christian and was a mighty teacher of Christianity. He was from
Alexandria, and he was well learned in the scriptures and an eloquent
speaker. Paul deemed Apollos valuable and even the doctor Luke wrote
of him in the book of Acts chapter eighteen and verses twenty-four
thru twenty-eight:
And a certain Jew named
Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the
scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of
the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught
diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and
Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto
him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass
into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive
him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed
through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, [and that]
publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Apollos
is mentioned in the book of Corinthians over and over again, and he
is of no doubt valuable to Paul in his ministry. Their friendship was
possibly a delightful one because of their knowledge of Hebrew
scriptures, and we might suppose they had some wonderful
conversations about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Finally
Paul wrote to Titus concerning Zenas and Apollos,
“that nothing be wanting unto them.”
In other words Titus was to minister to their needs and provide for
their travels. Not only does Paul demonstrate his desire to see his
friends, but is also concerned for their welfare on their journey.
Friends within the ministry should be taken care of well, and those
who are valuable to us especially when it concerns the gospel must be
provided for and should not lack for any necessity. This was Paul's
position of those he deemed to be friends of the ministry.
We are
closing in on the final two verses of the letter written to Titus
where we shall discover Paul's final words to him, so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore
sites,www.amazon.com;
www.barnesandnobles.com;
download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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