Lexical Summary Zénas: Zenas Original Word: Ζηνᾶς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Zenas. Probably contracted from a poetic form of Zeus and doron; Jove-given; Zenas, a Christian -- Zenas. see GREEK Zeus see GREEK doron NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably a contr. of Zeus and dóron Definition "Zeus-given," Zenas, a Christian lawyer NASB Translation Zenas (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2211: ΖηνᾶςΖηνᾶς (cf. Lightfoot on Colossians 4:15; Winer's Grammar, § 16 N. 1), Ζηνᾶν, (Buttmann, 20 (18)), ὁ, Zenas, at first a teacher of the Jewish law, afterward a Christian: Titus 3:13. (B. D. under the word.) Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Zenas (Strong’s Greek 2211) derives from a verb meaning “to live” or “to be alive,” echoing the vibrant, Spirit-empowered life that marks the New Testament Church. Biblical Occurrence and Context Zenas appears once in the Greek New Testament, in Titus 3:13. Paul writes, “Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they are lacking nothing” (Titus 3:13). The verse is situated in a closing section where Paul instructs Titus how to maintain good order and fruitful ministry on Crete (Titus 3:12-15). By urging practical support for Zenas and Apollos, Paul underscores that sound doctrine must flow into tangible acts of hospitality and generosity. Profession: “The Lawyer” The term “lawyer” (nomikos) can denote: 1. An expert in Jewish Mosaic law (Matthew 22:35; Luke 7:30). Given the multicultural setting of Crete and Zenas’ close association with Apollos—a Jew from Alexandria well versed in Scripture (Acts 18:24-28)—Zenas may have been a Jewish legal scholar who embraced Christ. Yet the Greek name and absence of direct Jewish markers leave open the possibility that he specialized in Roman law, making him valuable for navigating civil matters affecting the missionary band. Relationship to Paul, Titus, and Apollos Zenas travels with Apollos, suggesting Paul’s team sometimes paired complementary gifts: Apollos, a renowned expositor; Zenas, a legal mind. Paul’s command that Titus “see that they lack nothing” shows: Historical and Traditional Identifications Early church tradition—though not canonical—links Zenas to: These claims, mainly preserved in later ecclesiastical lists, reflect how the early Church honored even briefly mentioned coworkers. Theological Significance 1. Unity in Diversity: A lawyer and a preacher serve side-by-side, illustrating that varied callings advance a single gospel mission (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Ministry Lessons for Today • Professional Expertise in Kingdom Service: Skills acquired in secular arenas—law, medicine, education—can strategically benefit missionary outreach. Key Scripture Titus 3:13—central to understanding Zenas—reminds believers that the health of gospel advance depends on both faithful proclamation and the faithful provisioning of those who proclaim. Forms and Transliterations Ζηναν Ζηνᾶν Zenan Zenân Zēnan ZēnânLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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