Titus 3:12-15 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
‘Nicopolis’ – A city of Epirus, on the Gulf of Ambracia, near Actium. Another Nicopolis was in Thrace, on the river Nessus.
‘For I have determined there to winter.’ This proves the apostle was free from prison and could winter where he pleased.
‘In the faith’ – The word “faith” is found only twice in the Old Testament, but 245 times in the New Testament. The word “believe” with its various endings occurs 45 times in the Old Testament and 268 times in the New Testament. The word “trust” is the other Old Testament word for faith and believe. It is used with its various endings 154 times in the Old Testament and 35 times in the New Testament.
These words simply mean “to confide in, so as to be secure without fear,” “to flee for refuge to, or to take shelter in,” “to put faith in,” “to stay or rest on,” “to rely on,” “to believe, or to take one at his word,” “to rely upon the promise of another,” and “to put absolute trust in a person without any questioning or doubts as to His faithfulness.”
The Bible definition of “faith” is, “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
There are eighteen definitions of faith: Substance of things hoped for (Heb. 11:1). Evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1, 7). Invisible backing of elders (Heb. 11:2). Creative power of divine works (Heb. 11:3). Divine testimony of right doing (Heb. 11:4). Cancellation of natural laws (Heb. 11:5). Basis of pleasing God (Heb. 11:6). Dependence upon God’s word (Heb. 11:7). Trust in an unknown future (Heb. 11:8-10). Counting things that be not as though they were (Heb. 11:11-12; Rom. 4:17). Seeing invisible things (Heb. 11:13-16).
To be continued…
Living the Word 