Daily Thoughts from Titus: Devoted to Good Works (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 be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. (Titus 3:12-15 ESV)

Paul finishes the letter with instructions about other ministry team members. Paul is definitely the leader of this team but you can sense his affection for each team member and determination to make each one successful. He particularly wants Titus to join him where he is in Nicopolis, which is on the west coast of Greece. Apparently Artemas or Tychicus (Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7) will carry on what Titus has been doing.

Paul has something in mind for Zenas and Apollos, as well, and Titus is to help them come to him as well. Did Titus hold the purse for the team?

Paul makes one more point about the need for faith to lead to action, encouraging his readers to devote themselves to good works. Especially defined are works of financial benevolence in times of urgent need. He expects Christians to be ready to meet such needs fruitfully as they arise. Paul’s main goal in this letter has been to highlight that salvation is not based in good works but definitely leads to them in the believer’s life. And those who have demonstrated maturity in this regard are eligible for leadership roles in each local church of each community.

His exchange of greetings ends, as usual, with a blessing of grace.

What is the evidence of salvation in your life? Are you seeing compassion for your fellow believers and readiness to help them? Are you sound in faith, love and steadfastness? Renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions? Free from quarreling, ready for every good work and not speaking ill of anyone? You and I should see these characteristics growing in us. Relationship with Christ leads to right living.

About the Author Randall Johnson

A full-time pastor since 1979, Randall originally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) in 1979 and from Reformed Theological Seminary (DMin) in 1998. He is married with four grown children and a pile of epic grandchildren.

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