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)
Paul isn't just giving Titus a travel plan; he's essentially saying, "Once I send someone to take your place, you need to hurry to me." The urgency is tied not just to Paul's desire to see Titus, but to ensure the Cretan church remains cared for.
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)
Paul is wrapping up his letter to Titus, who has been tasked with bringing order to the churches in Crete, particularly dealing with troublemakers. He gives Titus instructions on how to manage difficult people and concludes with practical arrangements. To ensure Titus doesn't leave Crete without proper leadership, Paul plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to take over while Titus comes to join him at Nicopolis, where Paul intends to spend the winter.
Paul mentions two men, Artemas and Tychicus, who will be sent to Crete. Who were they, and what does this tell us about the early church?
When Paul writes to Titus, he names two individuals he plans to send: Artemas and Tychicus.
Trusted Leaders
The Purpose of the Visit
Paul doesn't explicitly state why Artemas or Tychicus are coming to Crete. The commentators suggest a key reason: they were likely meant to step in and continue Titus's work while Titus traveled to meet Paul. This highlights the collaborative nature of Paul's ministry and the importance of developing and deploying capable leaders.
Paul plans to spend the winter in a city called Nicopolis. What's significant about this place, and why is winter travel or residence important?
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Paul directs Titus to come to him at Nicopolis, where Paul intends to spend the winter.
A Strategic Location
Nicopolis means "City of Victory." There were several cities with this name in the Roman Empire, but the most likely candidate here is Nicopolis in Epirus (modern-day Greece). This city was founded by Emperor Augustus to commemorate his decisive victory over Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium nearby.
The Practicalities of Winter
Paul's mention of wintering suggests practical considerations. Ancient travel, especially by sea, could be dangerous and difficult during the winter months. By planning to 'winter' in Nicopolis, Paul is likely preparing for a period of settled ministry and perhaps strategic planning before resuming more extensive travel in the spring. It also indicates that Paul was not yet at Nicopolis when he wrote, as he says 'I have decided there to spend the winter.'
Paul urges Titus to 'do your best to come' to Nicopolis. What does this convey about Titus's role and Paul's need?
Paul's instruction to Titus is direct: 'do your best to come to me at Nicopolis.' This isn't a casual suggestion; it's an urgent request.
A Temporary Role
Commentators point out that Titus was in Crete on a special assignment from Paul. He wasn't meant to be there permanently. His task was to establish order and sound doctrine.
Paul's Need for Titus
The urgency implies that Paul needed Titus's presence and assistance. While the exact reason isn't stated, Paul's request suggests Titus's skills and experience were valuable to Paul's immediate plans in Nicopolis. This could involve ministry, teaching, or helping to organize further work.
The Hand-off Plan
Paul's strategy was to send Artemas or Tychicus to take over the responsibilities in Crete. This would free Titus to travel to Nicopolis. It showcases a well-coordinated plan to ensure the ongoing work in Crete wouldn't suffer while Titus was away, demonstrating effective leadership succession.
The mention of Nicopolis points to a specific geographical and historical context for Paul's letter to Titus, grounding their ministry in the Roman world established by Augustus.
c. 146 BC
Rome Conquers Greece
The Roman Republic fully subjugates Greece, establishing a Roman province. This marks the beginning of Roman dominance over the Aegean region, including the island of Crete.
31 BC
Battle of Actium
Octavian (later Augustus) defeats Mark Antony and Cleopatra. This pivotal naval battle solidifies Octavian's power and marks the end of the Roman Republic.
c. 27 BC— this verse
Founding of Nicopolis (Epirus)
Augustus founds Nicopolis in Epirus (modern-day Greece) to commemorate his victory at Actium. The city becomes a significant administrative and cultural center in the Roman province of Achaia.
c. AD 62-67
Paul's Epistles Written
The Apostle Paul, likely during his later ministry, writes epistles such as 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Titus. These letters offer guidance to churches and leaders during a formative period of early Christianity.
c. AD 63-67
Paul's Instructions to Titus
The Apostle Paul writes the Epistle to Titus, likely from Nicopolis. He instructs Titus on managing the church in Crete, dealing with false teachers, and organizing church leadership, anticipating Titus's eventual return to Paul.
This passage introduces Tychicus, one of the men Paul mentions sending to Titus, highlighting his role as a trusted companion and fellow worker with Paul on important missions.
2 Timothy 4:12Paul again mentions Tychicus here, sending him to Ephesus, which further emphasizes Tychicus's reliability and his being sent on significant apostolic errands, mirroring the trust Paul places in him in Titus 3:12.
1 Corinthians 16:6This verse shows Paul's intention to 'spend the winter' in a particular location, similar to his stated plan in Titus 3:12, illustrating how Paul often made travel plans around the winter season.
Philemon 1:23-24This passage also lists Epaphras, along with Tychicus, as Paul's 'fellow workers,' underscoring the network of trusted individuals Paul relied on to carry out his ministry and extend his reach.
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 plan; he's essentially saying, "Once I send someone to take your place, you need to hurry to me." The urgency is tied not just to Paul's desire to see Titus, but to ensure the Cretan church remains cared for.
Paul is wrapping up his letter to Titus, who has been tasked with bringing order to the churches in Crete, particularly dealing with troublemakers. He gives Titus instructions on how to manage difficult people and concludes with practical arrangements. To ensure Titus doesn't leave Crete without proper leadership, Paul plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to take over while Titus comes to join him at Nicopolis, where Paul intends to spend the winter.
Paul is wrapping up his letter to Titus, who has been tasked with bringing order to the churches in Crete, particularly dealing with troublemakers. He gives Titus instructions on how to manage difficult people and concludes with practical arrangements. To ensure Titus doesn't leave Crete without proper leadership, Paul plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to take over while Titus comes to join him at Nicopolis, where Paul intends to spend the winter.
"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 plan; he's essentially saying, "Once I send someone to take your place, you need to hurry to me." The urgency is tied not just to Paul's desire to see Titus, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026