Phrase

editing

NT

Titus 3:12-15

esv

Paul Invites Titus to Nicopolis

Do Your Best to Come to Me

When I {Paul} send Artemas

Temporal

or Tychicus

to you, {Titus}

Destination

do your best {make every effort, be diligent}

to come

Content

to me

at Nicopolis,

for I have decided

Ground

to spend the winter there.

Missions and Ministry

Do Your Best to Equip Others

Do your best {earnestly equip}

to speed Zenas

the lawyer

Explanation

and Apollos

on their way;

Reference

see

that they lack nothing.

And let our people [church members} learn {to learn by practice or experience, to acquire a custom or habit}

to devote themselves {practice diligently}

to good works,

so as to help cases

Purpose

of urgent need,

Descriptive

and not be unfruitful.

Closing Greetings

Greetings

All {disciples} ... send greetings

who are

with me

Accompaniment

to you.

Greet those

who love us

in the faith.

Context

Grace be

with you all.

phrasing

notes

Meditation

Wisdom : Paul first encourages Titus to send Zenas and Apollos on their way, seeing that they lack nothing. Then he tells Titus that the church members at Crete must learn to devote themselves to good works and to take care of urgent needs. The church members, and indeed believers everywhere, must concern themselves with doing good works in general, and in particular, helping those in need. "Learn" here means to learn by practice or experience, to acquire a custom or habit. So believers have a responsibility to help each other, to be productive and therefore, be fruitful. Otherwise, time can be spent in idle gossip, being busybodies (as Titus elsewhere warns) and in doing things that do not further the gospel. the church should be marked by unity, with each member needing and depending on other members. Works : Technology has made our lives easier in some respects, but how do we use the "extra" time? It is so easy to park in front of the TV for hours; or to get lost in the latest novel; or lose much of the day surfing the Internet. None of this is productive or fruitful, especially because there are so many needs all around me. If I profess to be a believer, I need my life to stand apart and to stand out. I can best do that by looking around me, seeking every day at least one way I can be of service to anyone in need, but most especially to my fellow Christians. Worship : Thank you, Father, for all you have provided for me. I thank You for my daily bread, that you give me neither too little nor too much. Everything I have comes from you, and I want to freely and graciously share it with others. Open my eyes to the needs around me, and equip and guide me to be your hands and feet. In Jesus' name.