Titus 3:13-14, “Make every effort to help*~ Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; make sure they have what they need. Here is another way that our people can learn ~~ to engage in good works to meet pressing needs and so not be unfruitful.”
Most Christian ministries were supported by donations so they can make disciples. Our text gives a glimpse into the day–to–day networking and logistics of first–century ministries.
These men were disciples of Paul to whom he had delegated the expansion of the ministry. Paul is writing from Macedonia and decides to winter in Nicopolis, afterwhich Paul may have traveled to Spain.
We know nothing about Zenas, except that he was a lawyer with a Greek name, a professional committed to making disciples in unreached areas. Apollos, mentioned in Acts 18:24 and 19:1, was a Jewish Christian from Alexandria who “was mighty in the scriptures” and “fervent in spirit” and who greatly desired “to cross to Achaia” (18:27). These two were heading into unreached areas.
Paul gives an aorist command to believers to “urgently decide to make every effort to help” or “do everything you can” (Titus 3:13NIV). The purpose was to “help” or to “send forward on [their] journey,” with the result “that they [the missionaries] have what they need” or “may lack nothing.” Third John 6 added, “in a manner worthy of God.”
Another reason for helping this missionary team is the command to “habitually learn to engage in good works.” Paul wanted the believers to “keep on learning” to meet the “pressing needs” of laborers. To fail in meeting these needs was to be “unfruitful.” Churches should be given ample opportunities to participate in the ministries of evangelists and missionaries.
Paul encourages us to sacrifice for the ministry, “not [to] seek the gift, but [to] seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (Phil 4:17). Believers should take advantage of every chance to be fruitful by contributing to or partaking in kingdom projects, especially those that help missionaries make disciples in unreached areas. With whom are you involved?
“Lord, thank You for Your servants who come to our church and for their life’s labor. Give me the desire to be a partner with them by helping meet their needs whatever they may be.”