Christian Living

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Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.
Titus 3:13

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.

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?" (Lk 10:25). our Lord replied to him on his own ground, asking, "What is written in the law? 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" (Lk 7:30). The term nomikos, "lawyer," applied to Zenas, is in the Gospels varied by nomodidakalos, "a teacher of the law," and by grammateus, "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.

A different view of Zenas' occupation is taken by Zahn (Introduction to the New Testament, II, 54), who says that in itself nomikos 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 (1 Tim 1:7), Zenas is here characterized, not as legis (Mosaicae), doctor, but as juris peritus. 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."

Zenas became a Christian and Paul still referred to him as a lawyer. Zenas understood the Mosaic law and Christ's fulfillment of that law. He continued his practice as a practical lawyer doing wills and such as referred to before. So in such, he became the first Christian lawyer. He must have been a good friend of Paul's cause he wanted him near him at a time so close to the end 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.

A question I wrestled with for a long time was whether a man could be a Christian and a lawyer? I had planned on going to law school at one time, and this question confounded me. Now I know the answer is yes.

And though my time horizon has passed for me to practice law. I serve the ultimate power attorney of all, who pleads poor sinners cases before God everyday. He's easy to contact, for He's just one prayer away, and his services are all pro-bono, that means he incurred the cost.

Jesus himself, defends me against the devils accusations in God's high court. His evidence is infallible, He simply points to the cross.

by
Lance Gargus
at
www.lancessoulsearching.com

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