The warning from God: (3:9-11):
Paul while at the close of his letter once again reiterates the controversial issues which are plaguing the ancient churches. He gives similar warning to Timothy also.
- Regarding controversial issues: (3:9): Paul reiterates to Titus to avoid foolish discussions, teachings based on heresies on genealogies and speculation about the law. Such methods were used in Ephesus (1 tim.1:3,4) and Colossae too. Avoid arguments and quarrels about the law which arises due to the above mentioned controversies. We should avoid such controversial subjects, false teachers heresies and avoid even reacting to them and put them away. They would be ashamed of themselves and stop talking such non-sense topics.
- Regarding controversial individuals: (3:10-11): A division person should be warned from threatening the unity of the church once or twice. If he does not listen or change his life, cut him off. Do not maintain any relationship with him inside the church. He should be treated as an outcast. He is self condemned. the Bible is very clear about their need for repentance to rejoin into the church’s fellowship. Otherwise they should be excluded from the church.
Paul’s companions: (3:12-13):
Paul wanted to spend winter in a city called Nicopolis and he wanted Titus to come over there. Nicopolis was not very far from Macedonia where Paul stationed to write this letter. Nicopolis was on the western coast of Greece. But Paul did not want to leave the church in Crete without a leader. So he instructs Artemas or Tychicus to replace Titus.
Artemas: We know nothing about Artemas except his name mentioned here. Some say that he was one of the 70-disciplies and later he became the Bishop of Lystra.
Tychicus: Tychicus often travelled with Paul (Acts 20:4). Tychicus took a letter from Paul to Colossae city (Col. 4:7). He also took a letter from Paul to Ephesus city (Eph.6:21-22) and to Timothy, the first letter (2 Tim.4:12). He is the disciple employed by Paul to carry his letters and hails from the province of Asia. Now Paul is sending him to Crete to replace Titus to look after the churches in Crete.
Zenas: Zenas may have been a Roman lawyer or a Jew expert in the law of Moses. He had become a Christian.
Apollos: He was a well-known Christian who had worked in Ephesus (Acts 18:24) and in Corinth (1 Cor. 3:6). He was born in Alexandria, an eloquent man mighty in Scriptures
Both Zenas and Apollos may have brought Paul’s letter to Titus. Paul does not say where the two men were going. But Paul wanted them to have what they needed. Paul was concerned about their personal needs. In those days, Christian workers often travelled a long way. Many people had helped Paul while he was travelling (Acts 15:3; Rom.15:24; 1Cor.16:5-6). Paul urges Titus to provide whatever they need for the journey. It is the duty of the Church to provide whatever is necessary for the God servants.