Paul closed this epistle by sending Titus instructions concerning fellow workers, a final charge, and greetings. He did so to enable him to complete his task of setting the church in order.
3:12 Paul evidently intended to send either Artemas or Tychicus (2 Tim. 4:12) to take Titus' place in Crete. Paul wanted Titus to join him for the coming winter in Nicapolis ("city of victory"), probably the one in Illyricum that lay on the Adriatic coast of western Greece opposite northern Italy.
3:13 Zenas and Apollos (cf. Acts 18:24-19:1) were apparently in Crete with Titus and planned to leave Crete for other places of ministry. They may have previously carried this letter from Paul to Titus. Paul urged Titus and the Cretan Christians to help these two brethren by ministering to their needs. The apostle gave them a concrete opportunity to put good deeds into practice.
3:14 Paul gave a final encouragement to the Cretans through Titus to be faithful in providing for their own regular financial responsibilities (cf. 2 Thess. 3:7-12). "Engage in good deeds [occupations]"probably refers to normal wage-earning activities rather than special fund-raising projects (cf. v. 8). The NIV rendering "provide for daily necessities"translates this thought more clearly than the NASB. The stereotype of Cretans generally (1:12) evidently applied to some in the church. Industriousness would provide the Christians with what they needed; they would not be unfruitful (cf. v. 9; Luke 8:14; John 15:2).
3:15 We do not know who was with Paul when he wrote this epistle or where he was when he wrote it, but obviously he was in the company of other Christians. Paul sent greetings to the faithful in Crete and closed with a benediction for them. The second "you"is plural in the Greek text.
"As in I Tim. vi. 21 and 2 Tim. iv. 22, the plural betrays that the letter was expected to be read out publicly."79
Paul opened and closed this epistle with references to faith and grace (1:4).80
