Not Unfruitful

Titus 3: 12-15

Now Paul is mentioning some personal items as he finishes this short letter.

(12) 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.

He had left Titus on Crete to take care of the problems in the churches there, now he says that when Artemas or Tychicus arrives to take his place, then he is to leave to get his next assignment from Paul.

Paul hasn't come to Nicopolis yet, so he may have written this letter from Corinth after his release from his first imprisonment.

(13) Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.

Zenas and Apollos were most likely the ones who brought this letter to Titus, and he is told to provide to them everything they needed, and not be skimpy. This is to be an example to the congregation of caring for one another.

(14) Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Titus is to include the churches in this supply, so they will learn to do these good deeds and grow in their faith so they won't be unfruitful.

(15) All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Then Paul ends with greetings, from everyone who was with him to everyone there, as the you is plural. Zenas and Apollos will verbally tell them everyone who is extending these greetings.

Titus is to give Paul's greetings to those who love us in the faith, all the believers on Crete who are filled with affection for Paul, in faith (as there is no definite article here), the sphere where their affection lies--in trusting Paul to teach them the truth.

Grace be with you all.

The final benediction to close the letter.

The pastor is to encourage the congregation to be generous in what they have with others who have needs. God gives some a surplus so that it can overflow to others to provide for them. Even when we don't think we have much, there is always something we can do or give, so that we can learn to be generous like our Father is with us, and grow in trusting Him to provide our needs.

O my Father, You are so generous with all of us. You are our Source, and You have placed in this Earth such a great abundance of everything all of us will ever have need of, no matter how many we are, to all be healthy and prosperous and enjoy life with one another.

Father, teach us how to get along with one another, to be generous like You, and to be compassionate like You, and to treat each other with patience and kindness, as You do us. Show us how to be like You in all that we do, to lean on Your Spirit instead of our own understanding, and to grow up to be like our Father in Your family.

My Father, please strengthen all of Your children to go out and broadcast Your seed across all the fields of the world, so that every living person will hear and understand clearly to make a fully informed decision to turn to You and accept Your gracious offer of Redemption; or else turn away in their own vanity and pride.

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!