Titus 3:12
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul isn't just giving Titus a travel advisory; he's indicating that Titus's role in Crete is concluding, with one of these men ready to step in. The mention of "wintering" highlights that this isn't a casual summons, but a strategic call for Titus to join him for a significant period.
The letter is drawing to a close, with Paul giving final instructions to Titus, who is in Crete. After discussing how to handle disruptive people within the church, Paul shifts to his own travel plans, telling Titus to prepare to join him at Nicopolis once he sends either Artemas or Tychicus to take over in Crete. This transition highlights that Titus's mission in Crete is temporary, and Paul has a new assignment for him, with one of his trusted companions ready to step in.
Paul wasn't just sending instructions; he was orchestrating a move. See how he planned ahead for ministry and his own well-being.
In Titus 3:12, Paul reveals his deliberate travel plans. He's decided to spend the winter in Nicopolis, a city likely built by Augustus to commemorate a victory, suggesting a place of significance.
A City of Victory
This isn't just a random travel note. Paul is choosing a specific location, possibly the Nicopolis in Epirus, to settle for a season. This hints at a strategic approach to ministry, where even personal needs like shelter for the winter are planned with purpose.
Delegating and Directing
Before he can fully settle in Nicopolis, Paul needs Titus to come to him. To ensure the church in Crete isn't left shepherdless, he plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to take over. Tychicus is known as a trusted companion of Paul, suggesting a reliable replacement. This shows Paul's confidence in his team and his ability to delegate effectively.
Paul tells Titus to 'do your best' to come to Nicopolis. What makes Titus's presence so important to the apostle?
The phrase 'do your best' (or 'be diligent') carries a sense of urgency. Paul isn't just inviting Titus for a casual visit; he needs him.
More Than Just Company
While Paul is clearly delegating the care of the Cretan church to Artemas or Tychicus, his request for Titus to come to Nicopolis suggests Titus's assistance is needed there. This could be for continued ministry, organizing specific tasks, or for imparting further instructions before Paul moves on.
A Temporary Assignment for Titus
Commentaries suggest Titus was on a special mission in Crete. Paul's plan to bring him to Nicopolis implies that Titus's role in Crete was temporary, and he was to rejoin Paul once his immediate tasks were completed and a replacement was in place.
c. 45-44 BC
Battle of Actium
Octavian (later Augustus) defeated the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, consolidating his power and paving the way for the Roman Empire. This victory led Augustus to found the city of Nicopolis.
c. 27 BC
Founding of Nicopolis in Epirus
Augustus founded Nicopolis ('City of Victory') in Greece to commemorate his triumph at the Battle of Actium. It became a significant Roman administrative and cultural center.
c. AD 62-67
Paul's Missionary Journeys and Imprisonment
The Apostle Paul was actively engaged in missionary work, establishing churches and writing epistles. This period is when the letter to Titus was likely written, during a time of travel and perhaps imprisonment.
c. AD 63-67— this verse
Paul writes to Titus
Paul sends instructions to Titus, who is ministering on the island of Crete. Paul is planning to winter in Nicopolis and asks Titus to join him there once a replacement, either Artemas or Tychicus, arrives on Crete.
This passage introduces Tychicus, one of the individuals mentioned in Titus 3:12, highlighting his role as a companion and delegate of Paul, which underscores the significance of Paul's trust in him.
2 Timothy 4:12Tychicus is again mentioned here as being sent by Paul, reinforcing his reliable service and mission-oriented character, similar to the context in Titus 3:12 where he is considered for a task.
1 Corinthians 16:6This verse, along with others like Acts 27:12 and 28:11, provides context for the practicalities of 'wintering' in a specific location, which is directly relevant to Paul's stated plan in Titus 3:12.
Philippians 2:25Epaphroditus is referred to as Paul's 'brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.' This mirrors the described role of Tychicus (and potentially Artemas) as trusted emissaries sent to aid or replace someone, illustrating the nature of these apostolic assignments.
ellicottTitus 3:12: "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter."
(12) When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me. —But Titus is here reminded—perhaps with some reference to the question of the treatment of the factious or heretic persons just alluded to—that he is only the temporary ruler of the Cretan Church, on a special commission of the great missionary Apostle. Not improbably…
pooleTitus 3:12: "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter."
Of Artemas we read in no other place, but of Tychicus often; they were both ministers, one of which Paul intended to send to take care of the church in Crete, in the absence of Titus, whom he would have come to him to Nicopolis, where he designed to take up his winter quarters; but being very loth that the flock at Crete should for a little time be wit…
Paul isn't just giving Titus a travel advisory; he's indicating that Titus's role in Crete is concluding, with one of these men ready to step in. The mention of "wintering" highlights that this isn't a casual summons, but a strategic call for Titus to join him for a significant period.
The letter is drawing to a close, with Paul giving final instructions to Titus, who is in Crete. After discussing how to handle disruptive people within the church, Paul shifts to his own travel plans, telling Titus to prepare to join him at Nicopolis once he sends either Artemas or Tychicus to take over in Crete. This transition highlights that Titus's mission in Crete is temporary, and Paul has a new assignment for him, with one of his trusted companions ready to step in.
The letter is drawing to a close, with Paul giving final instructions to Titus, who is in Crete. After discussing how to handle disruptive people within the church, Paul shifts to his own travel plans, telling Titus to prepare to join him at Nicopolis once he sends either Artemas or Tychicus to take over in Crete. This transition highlights that Titus's mission in Crete is temporary, and Paul has a new assignment for him, with one of his trusted companions ready to step in.
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"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." — Paul isn't just giving Titus a travel advisory; he's indicating that Titus's role in Crete is concluding, with one of these men ready to step in. The mention of "wintering" highlights that this isn't…
