notes

Main point summary

Paul gives final instructions and greetings for Titus and the churches in Crete.

Arc

editing

NT

Titus 3:12-15

esv

na28

When I send Artemas or u Tychicus to you,

Ὅταν πέμψω Ἀρτεμᾶν πρὸς σὲ ἢ Τύχικον,

do your best to come to me v at Nicopolis,

σπούδασον ἐλθεῖν πρός με εἰς Νικόπολιν,

temporal

for I have decided to spend the winter there.

ἐκεῖ γὰρ κέκρικα παραχειμάσαι.

ground

Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and w Apollos on their way;

Ζηνᾶν τὸν νομικὸν καὶ Ἀπολλῶν σπουδαίως πρόπεμψον,

see that they lack nothing.

ἵνα μηδὲν αὐτοῖς λείπῃ.

actionpurpose

series

And let our people learn x to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need,

μανθανέτωσαν δὲ καὶ οἱ ἡμέτεροι καλῶν ἔργων προΐστασθαι εἰς τὰς ἀναγκαίας χρείας,

and not y be unfruitful.

ἵνα μὴ ὦσιν ἄκαρποι.

All who are with me send greetings to you.

Ἀσπάζονταί σε οἱ μετʼ ἐμοῦ πάντες.

Greet those who love us in the faith.

ἄσπασαι τοὺς φιλοῦντας ἡμᾶς ἐν πίστει.

z Grace be with you all.

Ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.

Final instructions (3 imperatives-2 are singular, 1 plural)

Closing comments

na28

discourse

Notes

Arcing notes: 3:13b : Why do I arc this proposition as a purpose clause? Though the ESV doesn't bring it out, the proposition begins with a hina clause, which usually indicates purpose. The proposition could more literally be translated "so that nothing might be lacking to them." The ESV is likely carrying over the imperative force of the command "speed on their way" in their translation. 3:14b : Why do I arc this proposition as a purpose clause? Just like 13b, the proposition begins with a hina clause, indicating purpose. It is possible that εἰς at the end of 14a begins a purpose clause. BDAG lists this as one of many possible definitions for the word (See " ε ἰ ς , " BDAG, 4f, 290.) The NIV translates the phrase "in order to provide for urgent needs." Commentator George Knight suggests this is the most likely meaning as well (George W. Knight III, The Pastoral Epistles: A Commentary on the Greek Text , NIGTC (Grand Rapids; Carlisle (England): Eerdmans; The Paternoster Press, 1992, 359). But it does not seem to me that helping out in cases of urgent need is the purpose of devoting themselves to good works. Helping out cases of urgent need seems like an example (albeit a critical one) of the good works they're called to do. Rather, the purpose of devoting themselves to good works is to be fruitful (i.e. not be unfruitful). Bill Mounce brings this out in his translation: "And let our [people] learn to be devoted to good deeds, specifically the urgent needs, lest they be fruitless" (William D. Mounce, Pastoral Epistles , WBC 46 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 458.