What does Titus 3:12 mean?

Verse 12 begins the final instructions and conclusion of Paul's letter to Titus. He states several facts about his current situation. First, Paul plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to Titus. Artemas is not referred to anywhere else in the New Testament. Tychicus, however, is mentioned four other places. He was with Paul on his trip from Greece to Macedonia (Acts 20:4). Tychicus was with Paul in Rome and delivered letters to Ephesus (Ephesians 6:21) and the Colossians Christians (Colossians 4:7). Second Timothy 4:12, written shortly before Paul's death, says Tychicus had been sent by Paul to Ephesus. He was likely with Titus for a time in Rome as well.

Paul asks Titus to join him at Nicopolis, a city on the west side of Greece. Paul had decided to spend the winter there. This indicates that this letter to Titus was written in the fall, most likely in the year AD 64. Paul's hope was probably to send a stand-in quickly enough for Titus to leave Crete before winter weather prevented safe boat travel, usually in November. We don't know if Titus ever did go to Nicopolis, but he does appear alongside Paul later on, in Rome (2 Timothy 4:10).