Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just ask for submission to government; it emphasizes readiness for every good work. This means Christians are called to be actively helpful and contributing citizens, prepared to step up for any positive task that aligns with God's will, not just passively obeying.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is guiding Titus on how to lead the churches in Crete, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and godly living. After detailing proper conduct within the church and households, he shifts focus to how believers should interact with the outside world, particularly governing authorities. This instruction is crucial because the Cretans had a reputation for being rebellious, and some Jewish Christians might have been particularly resistant to Roman rule.
Ever feel pulled between what your boss, your government, or your family expects, and what God calls you to? This verse tackles that very tension.
Paul is reminding the Christians in Crete, a place known for its rebellious spirit, to be good citizens. This wasn't just about avoiding trouble; it was about honoring God.
A Higher Allegiance
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What does it mean to be 'ready for every good work'? It’s more than just being available; it's about actively embodying Christ's love in the public square.
The final phrase, 'to be ready for every good work,' doesn't just mean being willing to do chores. It points to a proactive stance of usefulness and contribution.
Beyond Passive Obedience
Understand the original words
hypotassesthai · Greek Verb
The act of yielding to others in authority or rank, reflecting a posture of humility and order established by God within human relationships and governance.
peitharchein · Greek Verb
To follow instructions or requirements; in a biblical context, it refers to a willing alignment of one's life with the revealed will and commandments of God.
ergon · Greek Noun
A term describing a deed that is not only morally upright but also beneficial and useful, characterizing the active fruit of a believer's faith.
Given Crete's history of independence and a reputation for turbulence, along with the complexities of Roman rule, Paul's instruction to the Cretan Christians to be submissive to authorities was a crucial reminder for them to be good citizens and reflect Christ's teachings, not to rebel.
c. 67 BC
Roman Conquest of Crete
Rome conquers Crete, ending centuries of Cretan self-rule and imposing its own administration. This new political reality often chafed against the Cretan spirit.
c. AD 50s— this verse
Paul's Ministry and Epistle to Titus
The Apostle Paul, after his release from his first Roman imprisonment, likely traveled to Crete and appointed Titus as the leader of the churches there. He later wrote this epistle to guide Titus in his ministry.
c. AD 60s
Roman Empire at its height
The Roman Empire under emperors like Nero exercised vast authority across the Mediterranean world, including Crete, demanding obedience from its diverse populations.
This passage is the classic New Testament explanation of submission to governing authorities, directly paralleling Titus 3:1 by stating that all authority comes from God and that rulers are His servants to uphold good and punish evil.
1 Peter 2:13-17Peter also urges submission to earthly rulers, framing it as a way to silence ignorant criticism and live as free people, emphasizing honor for all and love for the brotherhood.
Matthew 22:21Jesus' famous teaching 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's' provides the foundational principle for distinguishing and honoring both civil and divine authority.
Acts 5:29When faced with a conflict between human law and God's command, the apostles declared, 'We must obey God rather than men,' establishing a crucial boundary for Christian obedience to authorities.
ellicottTitus 3:1: "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,"
III. (1) Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers.—Very careful 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 excepti…
cambridgeTitus 3:1: "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,"
1–7 . The duty of living in peace from a sense of God’s love and through the Spirit’s power 1 . Put them in mind ] ‘Them’ must be ‘the Cretan Christians’ generally: St Paul is gathering all up in his mind for his final counsel. The verb for ‘put in mind,’ and its substantive, occur twice in St John, once in St Luke, but in St Paul only in the Pastoral Epistles three tim…
The verse doesn't just ask for submission to government; it emphasizes readiness for every good work. This means Christians are called to be actively helpful and contributing citizens, prepared to step up for any positive task that aligns with God's will, not just passively obeying.
Paul is guiding Titus on how to lead the churches in Crete, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and godly living. After detailing proper conduct within the church and households, he shifts focus to how believers should interact with the outside world, particularly governing authorities. This instruction is crucial because the Cretans had a reputation for being rebellious, and some Jewish Christians might have been particularly resistant to Roman rule.
Paul is guiding Titus on how to lead the churches in Crete, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine and godly living. After detailing proper conduct within the church and households, he shifts focus to how believers should interact with the outside world, particularly governing authorities. This instruction is crucial because the Cretans had a reputation for being rebellious, and some Jewish Christians might have been particularly resistant to Roman rule.
"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work," — The verse doesn't just ask for submission to government; it emphasizes readiness for every good work. This means Christians are called to be actively helpful and contributing citizens, prepared to…
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Last reviewed October 2026