The apostle Paul’s letter to Titus closes with a brief but intriguing mention of a man named Zenas: “Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need” (Titus 3:13). The reference is short, almost passing, yet it opens a window into the life of a man whose skills, calling, and quiet faithfulness contributed to the advance of the gospel in the first century.
In the great tapestry of the early Church, there were apostles and evangelists whose names became household words among believers. Yet alongside them served men and women whose contributions were quieter but no less vital. Zenas is one of those figures—mentioned only once, never given a sermon transcript or a recorded miracle, yet clearly valued by Paul and trusted with meaningful responsibility. His example is a reminder that the work of God depends not only on public proclamation but also on the steady, often unseen labor of those who bring their God-given skills into service for the kingdom.
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Historical & Cultural Background
The title “lawyer” in the first century could have several shades of meaning. In the Jewish world, a “lawyer” (nomikos in Greek) typically referred to an expert in the Law of Moses—someone trained to interpret the Torah, advise in matters of ritual purity, inheritance, contracts, and disputes, and instruct others in the traditions of the elders. In the Roman world, the term could also apply to advocates and legal advisers who understood the complexities of Roman civil and criminal law.
The island of Crete, where Titus was ministering when Paul wrote, was under Roman control but retained a significant Jewish population, especially in its urban centers. A man like Zenas, with expertise in Jewish law, Roman law, or possibly both, would have been uniquely positioned to help the early Church navigate legal and cultural tensions. The fledgling Christian communities often faced questions about property, citizenship rights, accusations of unlawful assembly, and the boundaries between Jewish tradition and the freedom found in Christ. Having someone who could answer those questions with both accuracy and wisdom was no small advantage.
Travel in the ancient Mediterranean was slow, costly, and often dangerous. Missionary journeys required not only the ability to preach but also to negotiate safe passage, deal with civic authorities, and resolve disputes that could disrupt the work. Zenas’ profession would have given him credibility and practical know-how in these situations. The fact that Paul singles him out for help alongside Apollos suggests that Zenas was traveling in an official capacity—possibly delivering letters, mediating disputes, or strengthening churches on behalf of Paul and the wider missionary network.
The Biblical Narrative
Though Scripture tells us little of Zenas’ personal story, the brief mention in Titus 3:13 is telling. Paul, writing from somewhere in the eastern Mediterranean, gives Titus several closing instructions. Among them, he says: “Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.”
Apollos was well-known—an eloquent Alexandrian Jew, mighty in the Scriptures, who had been discipled by Priscilla and Aquila and had become a gifted teacher of the Word (Acts 18:24–28). Pairing Zenas with Apollos places him in the company of trusted, capable servants. Paul does not say that Zenas is traveling with Apollos for leisure or personal business; their journey is part of the larger gospel mission.
In the structure of the letter, this request comes immediately after Paul’s exhortation for believers to devote themselves to good works and to meet urgent needs (Titus 3:14). It is almost as if Paul is saying, “Here is a practical example—right now you have an opportunity to put this into practice. Here are two workers who need help. Provide it generously.” The aid might have included food, funds for travel, lodging along the route, letters of introduction, or other practical necessities.
For Paul, this was not an afterthought; it was an integral part of ministry. The work of the gospel depended on such partnerships. The missionary on the road and the local believer who opened their home or shared their resources were both part of the same great task.
Theological Significance
From a dispensational perspective, Zenas’ story is another reminder that God’s work in the present age—the Church Age—is carried out through the diverse gifts of the body of Christ. The early Church was not made up only of preachers and apostles; it included artisans, merchants, soldiers, physicians, and yes, lawyers. God was calling out a people from every walk of life, uniting Jew and Gentile into one new man in Christ, and equipping them with varied abilities for the building up of the body.
In Israel’s history under the Law, the priesthood and Levites carried distinct duties in the service of God. In the Church, no such hereditary class exists; instead, spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit as He wills, for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). The lawyer’s skill could be as Spirit-directed as the prophet’s utterance or the teacher’s exposition.
Zenas’ presence alongside Apollos also speaks to the transitional nature of the first-century Church, where Jewish heritage, Greco-Roman culture, and the new revelation of the mystery—the Church as Christ’s body—were all converging. Navigating that convergence required both doctrinal clarity and practical wisdom. It is not hard to imagine Zenas helping to resolve disputes in ways that protected the unity of the Spirit while advancing the mission of the gospel.
Spiritual Lessons & Application
For modern believers, Zenas’ example offers several enduring lessons. First, professional skills are not neutral; they can be harnessed for the glory of God. Whether one is an attorney, engineer, nurse, or artist, the abilities and training acquired in the course of life can be repurposed as tools in the service of Christ. Zenas likely did not abandon his legal knowledge when he became a follower of Jesus. Instead, he allowed it to be shaped by the gospel and directed toward the good of the Church.
Second, ministry thrives on practical support. Paul’s directive to Titus is unambiguous: “Do everything you can to help… and see that they have everything they need.” Meeting the needs of those engaged in kingdom work is not a lesser ministry; it is the lifeline that allows the work to continue. In a world where missionaries, pastors, and gospel workers still face logistical, financial, and legal challenges, the generosity of God’s people remains just as crucial as it was in the first century.
Third, teamwork is essential. Zenas and Apollos were different men with different callings, yet they traveled together for a shared purpose. The gospel advances most effectively when the body of Christ functions in interdependence, each part supplying what is needed for the whole. This is as true for a modern church planting team as it was for the traveling companions of Paul’s day.
Finally, Zenas reminds us that faithfulness does not require fame. His name appears only once in the pages of Scripture, yet that one mention is enough to show that he was trusted, competent, and engaged in meaningful service. Many believers labor in obscurity, their names unknown beyond a small circle. But the Lord sees every act done in His name, and in the day of Christ those quiet labors will not be forgotten.
Conclusion
Zenas the Lawyer stands as a testimony that in God’s work, every gift matters, and every servant counts. His professional expertise, willingness to travel for the sake of the gospel, and partnership with other leaders like Apollos made him a valuable asset to the early Church. Paul’s instructions to Titus show that caring for such workers is part of the Church’s calling—a tangible expression of love, unity, and shared mission.
In the flow of redemptive history, the Church Age is a time when God is gathering His people from all nations, building them into one body, and equipping them with diverse gifts to accomplish His purposes until the Lord returns. In that great plan, there is room for the Zenases of the world—quiet, capable, steadfast servants who give themselves wholly to the cause of Christ.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God; if anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10–11)
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