Zenas is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Zenas was a Christian lawyer mentioned by Paul in his letter to Titus. He appears only once in Scripture, in Titus 3:13, where Paul writes: “Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.” From this single reference, we learn that Zenas was known to both Paul and Titus, and that he was traveling in the company of Apollos, the eloquent preacher who is mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.
The setting of this mention is Paul’s closing instructions to Titus, who had been left in Crete to set in order the things that were wanting and to ordain elders in every city. Near the end of the letter, Paul gives Titus practical directions about hospitality and provision for those who were journeying on ministry business. Zenas and Apollos were evidently engaged in such travel, and Titus was expected to help them on their way, ensuring that nothing was lacking for them.
The source note tells us that Zenas was a Christian lawyer known for his good works. His profession as a lawyer suggests he was a man of learning and standing, yet he is found here in the service of the gospel, traveling alongside a preacher and being commended by an apostle. Scripture says nothing further of his background, his conversion, or his later life. What we have is a brief but telling portrait: a believer whose faith expressed itself in usefulness to the church, and whose name Paul took care to honor in his letter.
The Name
Zenas is a Greek name, and its meaning is generally understood to be connected to Zeus, the chief deity of Greek mythology. The name is often explained as a shortened form related to Zeus, and it appears in ancient sources as a personal name among Greek-speaking peoples. It is worth noting that a name’s etymology does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the person who bore it; by the first century, many Greek names had become common cultural inheritances rather than statements of pagan devotion. Beyond this widely accepted association with Zeus, Scripture itself offers no interpretation of the name, and we should be careful not to read more into it than the evidence allows.
A Closing Thought
Zenas reminds us that the work of the gospel is carried by many hands. He was not an apostle or an evangelist, so far as we know, but a lawyer—a man with a trade and a place in the world—who nonetheless gave himself to the service of Christ and His people. His single appearance in Scripture is enough to show that faithfulness does not require fame. Whatever our calling, we can be the kind of believer others are glad to commend and to help along the way, quietly useful in the Lord’s work.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Titus 3:13 — Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.