Titus 3:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Titus 3:1-8

Here is the fourth thing in the matter of the epistle. The apostle had directed Titus in reference to the particular and special duties of several sorts of persons; now he bids him exhort to what concerned them more in common, namely, to quietness and submission to rulers, and readiness to do good, and to equitable and gentle behaviour towards all men?things comely and ornamental of religion; he must therefore put them in mind of such things. Ministers are people's remembrancers of their duty.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Titus 3:1-2

3:1-2 Remind them to be duly subject to those who are in power and authority, to obey each several command, to be ready for every work so long as it is good, to slander no one, not to be aggressive, to be kindly, to show all gentleness to all men. Here is laid down the public duty of the Christian; and it is advice which was particularly relevant to the people of Crete. The Cretans were notoriously turbulent and quarrelsome and impatient of all authority. Polybius, the Greek historian,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Titus 3:1

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers ,.... Not angels, good or bad, which are sometimes so called, but men in high places; the higher powers ordained of God, as the apostle elsewhere calls them; and which the Apostle Peter distinguishes into the king as supreme, and into governors under him: the Roman emperor and senate, the consuls, and proconsuls, deputies and governors of provinces and islands, are here meant; particularly such who were appointed over the island of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:1

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities, etc. - By principalities, αρχαις , we are to understand the Roman emperors, or the supreme civil powers in any place. By powers, εξουσιαις , we are to understand the deputies of the emperors, such as proconsuls, etc., and all such as are in authority - under the supreme powers wherever we dwell. See the doctrine of obedience to the civil powers discussed at large in the notes on Romans 13:1-7 . This doctrine of obedience to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Titus 3:1

Verse 1 1Remind them to be subject to principalities and powers From many passages it is evident that the Apostles had great difficulty in keeping the common people subject to the authority of magistrates and princes. We are all by nature desirous of power; and the consequence is, that no one willingly is subject to another. Besides, perceiving that nearly all the principalities and powers of the world (256) were at that time opposed to Christ they thought them unworthy of receiving any honor.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1

In subjection for subject, A.V.; rulers for principalities. A.V.; to authorities for and powers, A.V. and T.R.; to be obedient for to obey magistrates, A.V.; unto for to, A.V. Put them in mind ( ὑπομίμνησκε ); as 2 Timothy 2:14 . To rulers, to authorities. Many uncials, which the R.T. follows, omit the καὶ , but it seems necessary to the sense. The change from "principalities and powers" to" rulers" and "authorities" does not seem desirable. ἀρχάι and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1

Political duties. The apostle now turns to the duties which Christians owe to the pagan world around them. I. THE NECESSITY OF THE INJUNCTION TO POLITICAL SUBMISSION . "Put them in mind." The words imply that the duty was already known, but needed to be recalled to Cretan memory. It is but too certain that the injunction was needed. Once a democratic state, now for over a century under Roman law, and always remarkable for a factious and turbulent spirit, the Cretan... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-2

Subjection to the state. Society has reached no ideal perfection in government, nor has God himself laid down any outward form as an ideal. All nations are justified in variety of choice. There has been government by judges, and governments monarchical, republican, autocratic, and constitutional. All that we need to notice is that society needs to be governed. Lawlessness always ends in anarchy, misery, and desolation. I. LEARN SUBJECTION TO THE STATE . This is beautiful.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-3

Duty. "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers," etc. "Very careful," says Dean Spence, "and searching have been the apostle's charges to Titus respecting the teachers of the Church, their doctrine and their life; very particular have been his directions, his warnings and exhortations, to men and women of different ages, on the subject of their home life. But with the exception of a slight digression, in the case of a slave to a pagan master, his words had been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Titus 3:1-7

Mercy begetting mercy. The practical lessons of the gospel were not exhausted in the preceding chapter, nor the motives which urge believers to godliness. The call to holiness in the last chapter was based upon the holy character of God's saving grace and the purpose of Christ's redeeming love. In these verses the grace and love of God are still the basis of the exhortation, but it takes its peculiar coloring from the thought of what we were ourselves. Tenderness, indulgence, and meekness... read more

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