Near the end of his letter to Titus the apostle Paul gave him some instructions about two men: Zenas and Apollos. These men were traveling and would be going through the area where Titus was serving. We know almost nothing about Zenas. He is mentioned in Titus 3:13 but nowhere else in the New Testament. The only thing we know about him is what Paul tells us in this verse, he was a lawyer. However, we know more about Apollos. He is mentioned in a number of New Testament books: Acts, 1 Corinthians, and Titus. From some of these texts we learn that Apollos was a Jew (Acts 18:24 and a Christian (1 Cor. 16:12, in this verse Paul called him “our brother” NIV). It is also clear that he was a good speaker (Acts 18:25, 28) and a coworker with Paul who did evangelistic work and taught (Acts 18:28; 1 Cor. 3:5-6).

Paul directed Titus, who was on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5) to help Zenas and Apollos in any way possible. From what Paul wrote in Titus 3:14 it seems clear that Paul’s direction to help these men was not the sole responsibility of Titus. The apostle wrote “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives” (Titus 3:14 NIV). The reference to “our people” (NIV) cannot mean the Jews. Paul was certainly a Jew (Acts 21:39; 22:2-3; Phil. 3:5) but Titus was not, for in another place Paul plainly tells us that Titus was a Greek (Gal. 2:3). So the people that Paul referred to in Titus 3:14 must surely be the Christian community. In the context of this letter, the Christians on the island of Crete, who seem to have had congregations in a number of different locations (Titus 1:5). These believers were to share in the responsibility of fulfilling the directive that Paul gave to Titus, they were to help meet the needs of Zenas and Apollos. 

Titus 3:13 indicates that these two men were not staying in the area; I say this because the text says that they were “on their way” (NIV). Stated differently, they were just passing through to go somewhere else. Even though this was the case, the church was to assist them on their journey. The believers were to provide for the needs of the travelers (Titus 3:13-14). These provisions would almost certainly include things like food and lodging. If one or two Christian families in Crete welcomed these men to stay in their home it may not have cost them anything, except the minor, temporary inconvenience of having an extra person or two with them. However, if they fed these travelers that may have incurred some extra expenses because they would need to have more food. Even if extra expenses were incurred, the Christians in Crete were to help these men. The apostle John would later write about this same subject (3 John 5-8). 

Where were Zenas and Apollos going? What were they planning to do when they got there? We cannot answer these questions with any certainty because Paul does not tell us. However, I think we can make an educated guess about the answer to the second question. Though my answer is very general in nature I believe that they were on a ministry trip. I am more confident in saying this about Apollos, simply because, as I mentioned above, we know more about him. And from what we do know about him, when he is mentioned in Scripture, ministry is frequently tied to his name. For example, he is first mentioned in the New Testament in Acts 18. In this chapter we learn that he was in Ephesus, had a good grasp of the Scriptures, and engaged in speaking for the Lord (Acts 18:24-25). Moving on from Ephesus, he went to Achaia and helped the believers there (Acts 18:27) by contending for the truth that Jesus was (and is) “the Messiah” (Acts 18:28 NIV). Paul also made mention of Apollos’ ministry in 1 Corinthians 3:5-6. In view of this information I am confident in saying that, at least in the case of Apollos, and possibly also in the case of Zenas, that this was a ministry trip.

Today we have the same opportunities and responsibilities that the Christians in the first century had. In our day there are still believers who are traveling to other parts of the world to carry on ministry for the Lord. They have specific locations in mind, we call these people missionaries. When they come our way on their journeys it is good for us to help them in any way that we can. This is true for us as individuals and as local church bodies, we can help them in appropriate ways. When we do this we help to meet their needs and possibly also help them preserve any resources that they may already have. Assisting them with housing and food can be especially helpful. We can also provide them with financial assistance, not only for their own needs but also for their work. This can be done directly to the missionary, through the local church, or through a denominational missions department. These donations can be a one-time gift or a recurring one, perhaps a monthly donation. When we share what we have with God’s servants we help to advance the Lord’s work. May every believer and every local congregation do their fair share in supporting the  world-wide mission of the church.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 

John P. Lathrop is a graduate of Zion Bible Institute and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister with the International Fellowship of Christian Assemblies. He has written articles and book reviews for a number of publications including the Pneuma Review, the Africanus Journal of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Christian Trends Magazine, in India, and Berita Mujizat and Jurnal Jaffray, both in Indonesia. He is also the author of five books and also has created and taught a Survey of the New Testament course for PentecostalPastor.com, along with contributing regular columns for the site.