Difference between revisions of "Zenas"

<p> ''''' zē´nas ''''' ( Ζηνᾶς , <i> ''''' Zēnás ''''' </i> (&nbsp; Titus 3:13 ); the name in full would probably be Zenodorus, literally, meaning "the gift of Zeus"): </p> 1. A J ewish Lawyer: <p> Paul calls Zenas "the lawyer." The meaning of this is, that, previous to his becoming a Christian, he had been a Jewish lawyer. The lawyers were that class of Jewish teachers who were specially learned in the [[Mosaic]] Law, and who interpreted that Law, and taught it to the people. </p> <p> They are met with again and again in the Gospels, where they frequently came into contact with Christ, usually in a manner hostile to Him. For example, "A certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (&nbsp;Luke 10:25 ). our Lord replied to him on his own ground, asking, "What is written <i> in the law? </i> how readest thou?" [[Regarding]] this class of teachers as a whole, it is recorded that "the [[Pharisees]] and lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God" (&nbsp; Luke 7:30 ). The term <i> ''''' nomikós ''''' </i> , "lawyer," applied to Zenas, is in the [[Gospels]] varied by <i> ''''' nomodidáskalos ''''' </i> , "a teacher of the law," and by <i> ''''' grammateús ''''' </i> , "a scribe": all three terms describe the same persons. Before his conversion to Christ, Zenas had been a lawyer, one of the recognized expounders of the Law of Moses. </p> <p> A different view of Zenas' occupation is taken by [[Zahn]] ( <i> Introduction to the New [[Testament]] </i> , II, 54), who says that in itself <i> ''''' nomikos ''''' </i> could denote a rabbi, quoting Ambrosiaster, "Because Zenas had been of this profession in the synagogue, Paul calls him by this name." But Zahn gives his own opinion that "since the Jewish scribe who became a Christian, by that very act separated himself from the rabbinic body, and since the retention of rabbinic methods and ways of thinking was anything but a recommendation in Paul's eyes (&nbsp; 1 Timothy 1:7 ), Zenas is here characterized, not as <i> legis </i> ( <i> Mosaicae </i> ), <i> doctor </i> , but as <i> juris peritus </i> . The word denotes not an office, but usually the practical lawyer, through whose assistance e.g. a will is made, or a lawsuit carried on. [[Plutarch]] applies this name to the renowned jurist Mucius Scaevola." </p> <p> The ordinary meaning seems preferable, which sees in Zenas one who previous to his conversion had been a Jewish rabbi. </p> 2. Paul's Wishes Regarding Zenas: <p> It is not certain where Paul was when he wrote the [[Epistle]] to Titus. But he directs Titus to come to him to Nicopolis, where he had resolved to spend the ensuing winter. And he adds the injunction that he desires him to "bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos" - P aul's old friend from [[Alexandria]] - with him "on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them" (the King James Version). This may mean that Paul wished to have Zenas and Apollos with him at Nicopolis; but, on the other hand, it may not have this meaning. For the King James Version in translating "bring" is in error. The word signifies, as given in the Revised Version (British and American), "set forward" on their journey, that is, furnish them with all that they need for the journey. But even supposing Paul is not instructing Titus to bring Zenas and Apollos to Nicopolis - though this is perhaps what he means - yet it is most interesting to find these two friends of the apostle mentioned in this particular way, and especially at a time so near to the close of his life. Paul was unselfish as ever, solicitous that Zenas and Apollos be comfortably provided for on their intended journey. He is full of affectionate regard for them, interested in their welfare at every step; while he himself is far distant in another country, he remembers them with tender and sympathetic friendship. [[Doubtless]] the two friends reciprocated his affection. </p> <p> Nothing more is known of Zenas than is contained in this passage. </p>

<p> ( '''''Ζηνᾶς''''' , a contraction from '''''Ζηνόδωρος''''' '','' as '''''Ἀρτεμᾶς''''' from '''''Αρτεμίδωρος''''' , '''''Νυμφᾶς''''' '''''Νυμφόδωρος''''' and probably '''''῾Ερμᾶς''''' from '''''῾Ερμόδωρος''''' ) '','' a believer, and, as may be inferred from the context, a preacher of the Gospel, who is mentioned in &nbsp;Titus 3:13 in connection with Apollos, and, together with him, is there commended by Paul to the care and hospitality of Titus and the Cretan brethren. A.D. cir. 59. He is further described as the lawyer" ( '''''Τὸν''''' '''''Νομικόν''''' ) ''.'' It is impossible to determine with certainty whether we are to infer from this designation that Zenas was a Roman juris-consult or a Jewish doctor. [[Grotius]] accepts the former alternative, and thinks that he was a Greek who had studied Roman law. The New Test. usage of '''''ᾼ͂ονλχρο''''' leads rather to the other inference. Tradition has been somewhat busy with the name of Zenas. The ''Synopsis De Vita Et Morte Prophetarum, Apostolorumn, Et Diiscipulorumn Domini,'' ascribed to [[Dorotheus]] of Tyre, makes him to have been one of the "seventy-two" disciples, and subsequently bishop of Diospolis, in [[Palestine]] (Bibl. Patr. 3, 150). The "seventy-two" disciples of Dorotheus are, however, a mere string of names picked out of salutations and other incidental notices in the New Test. The Greek menologies on the festival of SS. [[Bartholomew]] and Titus (Aug. 25) refer to a certain Life of Titus, ascribed to Zenas, which is also quoted for the supposed conversion of the younger Pliny (comp. Fabricius, Codex Apocr. N.T. 2, 831, 2). The association of Zenas with Titus, in Paul's epistle to the latter, sufficiently accounts for the forgery. </p>