Titus 3:12

When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter. Set forward Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Artemas ... Zenas ... Apollos ... It is a remarkable fact that these three names of faithful helpers of the blessed apostle, still with him in the closing period of his life, are names derived from three of the most famous heathen deities. As Spence pointed out, "Artemas is from Artemis the famous tutelar goddess of Ephesus; Apollos is from the well-known sun god; and Zenas is from Zeus."[27]

Nothing is known of Zenas and Artemas except what appears here; but Apollos is mentioned a number of times in the New Testament. He came to Ephesus (Acts 18:24), teaching mightily in the Scriptures, but knowing only the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila taught him the way of the Lord more perfectly (Acts 18:26). He powerfully confuted the Jews (Acts 18:28), made many disciples who were required by Paul to be re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:1-7); and in 1 Corinthians 1:12 to 4:6 Paul referred to Apollos again and again, ranking him with himself and the apostle Peter. Due to his great ability as a scholar and his marvelous gift of eloquence, he might have rivaled even the apostle Paul in his influence in Corinth and Ephesus; "But Apollos seems resolutely to have declined any such rivalry, and to have lived ever as the loyal and devoted friend of the great apostle."[28]

Nicopolis... Paul's purpose of spending the winter in this town may or may not have been realized. Some believe that his arrest and final imprisonment came soon after what was written here, although there cannot be much certainty about that. "It is possible that the winter is that mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21."[29] Paul was not always permitted to foretell future events as regarded his own personal affairs. See comment on Acts 20:25, in my Commentary on Acts. In that circumstance he said, "I know that ye all ... shall see my face no more"; and yet he was permitted to return to Ephesus.

NICOPOLIS

Nine cities of this name are found in the Mediterranean area.[30] However, the one to which Paul here referred "is probably the city of that name situated on the southwest promontory of Epirus."[31] This is only a few miles from the modern city of Prevesa, the city which the Greeks bombarded in 1912. It was founded by Augustus, whose camp happened to be pitched there the night before the famous fight with Anthony (Battle of Actium, 31 B.C.). Considerable ruins of the ancient city still remain, including two theaters, a stadium and an aqueduct. The name "Nicopolis" means "Victory City," so-called from Augustus' victory over Anthony.

That nothing be wanting unto them... This constitutes instructions to Titus to provide whatever material things would be needed by Apollos and Zenas on their journey. From these brief references, it is concluded that "They were with Paul, had received their directions from him, and carried this letter to Titus who was sending them on."[32]

[27] H. D. M. Spence, op. cit., p. 266.

[28] Ibid.

[29] Newport J. D. White, op. cit., p. 201.

[30] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 945.

[31] J. E. Harry, International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), p. 2143.

[32] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 946.