Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s easy to skim over the first part of this verse, but Paul’s choice of words highlights a crucial distinction: Christians are to be subject to “rulers” and obedient to “authorities.” This isn't just about submitting to power for its own sake, but recognizing legitimate, God-ordained structures of governance and obeying their just commands.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is instructing Titus to remind the Cretan Christians of their civic duties, especially since their island had a reputation for rebellion and lawlessness. This instruction comes after Paul has laid out the proper conduct for various groups within the church and their households, now extending these principles to their interactions with the wider Roman world. The focus is on demonstrating the positive impact of their faith by being good citizens who respect and obey governing authorities, as long as it doesn't contradict God's commands.
Ever feel frustrated with laws or leaders? Paul reminds Titus's churches about their role in society, even when leaders aren't perfect.
Paul urges believers to be "subject to rulers and authorities" and "obedient to magistrates." This wasn't just a suggestion; it was a foundational aspect of Christian living.
Why the Emphasis?
This submission isn't blind obedience. It's about recognizing God's hand in governing structures and respecting them, while always prioritizing obedience to God when human commands conflict with divine ones (Acts 5:29).
Ask a follow-up
Beyond just obeying laws, what does it mean for a Christian to be truly 'ready for every good work'?
The verse doesn't stop with civic duty; it calls believers to be "ready for every good work." This speaks to a proactive, willing spirit that extends beyond mere compliance.
What is a 'Good Work'?
Being "ready" implies a state of preparedness, an eagerness to serve whenever opportunities arise. It's about having a heart aligned with God's will, anticipating where help is needed and stepping forward willingly, not grudgingly.
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.
Paul's instruction for Cretan Christians to submit to rulers and authorities is particularly pointed, given the island's history of insubordination and the prevailing Roman rule which, though established, might have been resented by the local populace.
c. 67 BC
Rome Annexes Crete
After a period of piracy and internal strife, Rome conquers and annexes Crete, incorporating it into the Roman province of Crete and Cyrene. This established Roman authority over a historically independent and often rebellious island.
c. AD 50s
Paul's Ministry in Crete
The Apostle Paul likely visited Crete, appointing Titus as the leader of the churches there. He would have observed the Cretans' reputation for factionalism and disobedience.
c. AD 62-67— this verse
Titus Pastors the Cretan Church
During this period, Titus is tasked by Paul with organizing and leading the Christian communities on Crete, addressing various issues including false teaching and the conduct of believers.
c. AD 64
Nero's Persecution of Christians Begins
While the full extent of this persecution is debated, the general climate of Roman suspicion and potential hostility toward Christians under emperors like Nero could have heightened the need for believers to demonstrate good citizenship.
This passage directly parallels Titus 3:1 by commanding submission to governing authorities, explaining that these authorities are established by God, and emphasizing the payment of taxes and dues as a sign of respect.
1 Peter 2:13-17Peter echoes Paul's instruction, urging believers to submit to every human authority for the Lord's sake, whether to the emperor or to governors, highlighting that this submission is part of living a life that honors God and silences critics.
Matthew 22:21Jesus' famous saying, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's,' provides the foundational principle for obeying civil authorities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God, a key distinction for Christians navigating civic duties.
Acts 5:29When commanded by religious leaders not to preach, Peter's response, 'We must obey God rather than men,' sets the crucial boundary for submission to earthly authorities, clarifying that obedience is always conditional upon God's will.
Philippians 2:14-16This passage encourages believers to do all things without grumbling or disputing, reflecting the readiness for good works and obedience mentioned in Titus 3:1 by living as shining lights in the world, unblemished and blameless.
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…
It’s easy to skim over the first part of this verse, but Paul’s choice of words highlights a crucial distinction: Christians are to be subject to “rulers” and obedient to “authorities.” This isn't just about submitting to power for its own sake, but recognizing legitimate, God-ordained structures of governance and obeying their just commands.
Paul is instructing Titus to remind the Cretan Christians of their civic duties, especially since their island had a reputation for rebellion and lawlessness. This instruction comes after Paul has laid out the proper conduct for various groups within the church and their households, now extending these principles to their interactions with the wider Roman world. The focus is on demonstrating the positive impact of their faith by being good citizens who respect and obey governing authorities, as long as it doesn't contradict God's commands.
Paul is instructing Titus to remind the Cretan Christians of their civic duties, especially since their island had a reputation for rebellion and lawlessness. This instruction comes after Paul has laid out the proper conduct for various groups within the church and their households, now extending these principles to their interactions with the wider Roman world. The focus is on demonstrating the positive impact of their faith by being good citizens who respect and obey governing authorities, as long as it doesn't contradict God's commands.
"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." — It’s easy to skim over the first part of this verse, but Paul’s choice of words highlights a crucial distinction: Christians are to be subject to “rulers” and obedient to “authorities.” This isn't ju…
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Last reviewed October 2026