📖 Biblical Definition
Zenas was a believer in the early church whom Paul commended to Titus: "Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them" (Titus 3:13). His pairing with the eloquent Apollos suggests a teaching itinerary through Crete or further. He is the only named lawyer (Greek nomikos) among the early disciples — the term could refer either to a Roman jurist or to a scribe expert in Mosaic law. Tradition makes him a bishop in Lydda or Diospolis, perhaps the author of an early apocryphal Acts of Pilate. Zenas appears once and never again in Scripture — but the apostle’s charge to provision his journey reminds the church that the gospel’s teachers travel on the saints’ hospitality.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ZENAS — a Greek proper name; in Scripture, a converted lawyer who labored alongside Apollos.
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Webster 1828 omits the name. The single-verse mention in Titus reveals a man trained in law — whether Roman jurist or Mosaic scribe — whose education did not become an obstacle to faith but an instrument of it. Paul commands the church to fund his journey, showing that gospel work crosses professional lines.
📖 Key Scripture
Titus 3:13 — "Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing."
Titus 3:14 — "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful."
Acts 18:24 — "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus."
1 Corinthians 3:6 — "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
The pulpit often dismisses lawyers as Pharisees; Zenas shows the gospel converts and uses them.
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The Pharisaic nómikos earns Jesus' sharpest woes, and that has bred in many a reflexive suspicion of all legal training. Zenas refutes the caricature: a lawyer can love the Lord, study the Scripture, travel with Apollos, and need the church's practical support.
The corruption is the pious anti-intellectualism that confuses ignorance with humility. Zenas was a learned man whose learning was offered to Christ. Paul does not strip him of his title — he calls him “Zenas the lawyer” and tells the church to fund him well.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
From Greek Zēnas (G2211), shortened from Zēnodoros; combined with nómikos (lawyer).
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G2211 — Zēnas — Zenas; a Christian lawyer of Crete or thereabouts
G3544 — nomikos — lawyer, expert in the law
G4709 — spoudaiōs — diligently, with haste — how Titus was to send him
Usage
"Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste (Titus 3:13)."
"That they may lack nothing."
"A trained mind in Christ is no enemy to faith."