ZENAS ze’ nəs (Ζηνᾶς, G2424, Titus 3:13. No doubt a shortened form of Zenodoros, “gift of Zeus”). A Christian missionary who worked with Titus on the Island of Crete, or who with Apollos was on a missionary journey for Paul and visited Crete.

Paul knew of this and directed Titus to send Zenas and Apollos on to him in Nicopolis speedily (spoudaiōs) with provisions and full equipment (Titus 3:13). No doubt he had a special need for Zenas’ particular expertise since he is described as “Zenas the lawyer” (nomikos). A nomikos was a learned man skilled in the interpretation of Roman or Jewish law. Most likely Zenas was an expert in the Jewish Torah. The vv. just preceding (Titus 3:9-11) speak of religious legal disputes. Jewish lawyers are mentioned in the gospels as men of high status, perhaps scribes or rabbis among the Pharisees and Sadducees. After Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees came together and “one of them, a lawyer” (nomikos), asked Jesus a bold question: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” (Matt 22:34, 36; cf. Luke 10:25). In Luke 7:30 lawyers are mentioned again in association with the Pharisees: “the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” Jesus pronounces woes upon lawyers because of the legal burdens they placed upon the people (Luke 11:45-52).

All this would indicate that Zenas was a Jewish scholar and legal authority turned Hellenist who took a Gr. name when he was converted to Christianity. Some scholars believe that in view of the anti-Jewish sentiments expressed in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:7ff.; Titus 1:10-14) he was a secular jurist, but the evidence in the gospels seems to point in the direction of a Jewish person. Paul received much assistance in his mission endeavors from Zenas and others like him. This could explain why Titus was to see that he was fitted and equipped for the journey in every way: “Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing” (Titus 3:13; cf. Rom 15:24; 1 Cor 16:6). It is possible they were carrying this very letter to Titus in Crete, but it seems such instructions would be given verbally rather than in a letter they were carrying. The passage illustrates vividly the Christian hospitality and obvious support the early churches gave to brethren and workers traveling from one church to another. The closing vv. of Titus indicate the variety and mobility of the early missionaries in the Pauline group. Zenas is mentioned in the Acts of Titus (5th cent.) and some say he wrote a Life of Titus. Late tradition says he became a biship in Pal. in Lydda.

Bibliography D. Guthrie, The Pastoral Epistles (1957), 209-211; C. K. Barrett, The Pastoral Epistles (1963), 147, 148; J. H. D. Kelly, The Pastoral Epistles (1963), 256-259.