Titus 3:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

NASB: When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

CSB: When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there.

NLT: I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter.

KJV: When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

NKJV: When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

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).

Titus 3:12–15 concludes Paul’s letter to Titus. Paul sends greetings of love from other Christians to the churches on Crete. Paul instructs Titus to provide assistance to two fellow believers, and asks him to make plans to visit Paul in Nicopolis prior to winter. This conclusion suggests that Paul’s letter is meant to be read to all of the local churches on Crete.

Paul reminds Titus of seven positive behaviors, and seven contrasting sins, which he is to insist on teaching correctly. False teachers are to be cut off, not given a public platform. Believers are not to waste time bickering, but focus on good works and urgent needs. This passage also explains how salvation is entirely the result of God’s grace, not our own good deeds.

Titus chapter 1 focused on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Chapter 2 explained the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 focuses on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture. Through goodness and peace, we are to make a positive impact, so people will see Christ in us.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.