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. Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:12-14)

Our People

Paul had many people in his life who worked with him, assisted in the work of ministry, provided necessary needs, and helped to boost his spirits. Throughout his letters, he named his associates who helped in different ways. Titus was a Greek friend of Paul’s who labored in the ministry. It seems clear Paul was instrumental in teaching the gospel to Titus as he called him his true son in the common faith. Paul would tell the brethren at Corinth Titus was his partner and fellow helper. There was a close bond shared between the two men. On one of the journeys (not described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles), Paul had been in Crete and left Titus to set things in order, appointing elders in every city.

Artemas was another fellow helper of Paul, being sent to Crete to assist Titus. Nothing is nothing of Artemas outside of the letter to Titus. Tychicus was a faithful minister of the Lord and a beloved brother of Paul. Paul had sent Tychicus to Ephesus to let the brethren know of his work and calm any concerns they had about the apostle. Tychicus would accompany Paul on a part of his journey from Macedonia to Jerusalem, including another disciple named Trophimus. In his letter to Colosse and his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul commended Tychicus to the brethren.

Paul wanted Titus to join him at Nicopolis, on the western side of Greece, because he wanted to spend the winter there. He also wanted Titus to send Zenas, a lawyer, and Apollos on their journey to see Paul. Apollos was the great orator converted to the teachings of Christ by Aquila and Priscilla. There were many people of different backgrounds and talents helping Paul in the work of teaching and preaching the gospel. He was surrounded by devoted souls who gave their lives to preach the word of God in a world filled with idolatry and immorality. It took courage to stand for truth in the Roman world. Paul suffered many persecutions, and sometimes those with Paul suffered as well. Luke was a companion of the apostle on many journeys, writing about their experiences.

Another group of people was very important to Paul also. He simply described them as “our people.” These are the multitudes of the unnamed who only God knew. Paul constantly wanted to encourage the brethren to stand for truth, live holy lives, look for the promise of eternal life, and stand courageous in the face of persecution. It took a special brand of person to be a Christian. Without naming them, Paul wanted his people to maintain good works and to meet the urgent needs of the day. These were the unsung heroes who lived their lives in simple humility to be the best they could be. This is how they could do productive work.

Paul had an unusual opportunity to move throughout the Roman Empire, preaching and teaching. He was unmarried and unencumbered with family. His life was demanding and rigorous, and many could not keep pace with the apostle. There was a place for men like Paul, but there was a great need for “our people” to be the kind of persons God wanted them to be. They may never travel to a foreign land to preach, but they could maintain good works. When needs arose, they could rise. There is so much work to do for “our people” and the blessings of showing Christ in their lives. We may never have our names written on holy writ, but I have a lot of work to do as “our people.”