to be subject to rulers and authorities
The phrase "to be subject" comes from the Greek "ὑποτάσσω" (hypotassō), meaning to arrange under or to subordinate. This reflects a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden. The "rulers and authorities" refer to governmental and civil leaders. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, Christians were often viewed with suspicion, and their allegiance to Christ could be seen as subversive. Paul’s instruction here is a call for Christians to demonstrate their faith through respectful and lawful conduct, thereby silencing any accusations against them and promoting peace.

to be obedient
The Greek word "πειθαρχέω" (peitharcheō) means to obey or to be persuaded by authority. This obedience is not blind but is rooted in a conscious decision to follow the laws and directives of those in authority, as long as they do not contradict God’s commands. This reflects a broader biblical principle found in Romans 13:1-7, where Paul elaborates on the Christian duty to respect and obey governing authorities as instituted by God.

to be ready for every good work
The phrase "to be ready" is derived from the Greek "ἑτοιμάζω" (hetoimazō), which means to prepare or make ready. This readiness is an active state of preparedness, indicating that believers should be eager and willing to engage in good deeds. "Every good work" encompasses all actions that reflect God’s goodness and love, aligning with the Christian calling to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). This readiness for good works is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, as believers live out their faith in practical and tangible ways, impacting their communities positively.

(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 exception of a slight digression in the case of a slave to a Pagan master, his words had been written with a reference generally to Christian life among Christians. But there was then a great life outside the little Christian world; how were the people of Christ to regulate their behaviour in their dealings with the vast Pagan world outside? St. Paul goes to the root of the matter at once when he says, "Put them in mind," &c. Very needful in Crete was such a reminder respecting obedience. The island had, when St. Paul wrote to Titus, been some century and a quarter under Roman rule. Their previous government had been democratic; and historians, like Polybius, who have written of Crete, have dwelt particularly on the turbulent and factious spirit which animated their people; added to which, the many Jews who we know formed a very large part of the Christian Church there, always impatient of a foreign yoke, would in such an atmosphere of excitement be especially eager to assert their right to be free from the hated rule of Rome.

The Greek words translated "principalities and powers" are better rendered here by "rulers and authorities," as the word "principalities" is used occasionally in the English version for an "order of angels." The terms include all constituted governors and officials, Roman and otherwise, in the island.

To obey magistrates.--Taken absolutely, to obey the temporal power. Our Lord's words were the model for all teaching in this division of Christian ethics One great teacher after the other, in the same spirit, in varied language, urges upon the people of Christ a reverence and submission to all legally constituted authority in the state. This devoted Christian loyalty, no bitter opposition in after years to their tenets could chill, no cruel persecution of individuals lessen. Augustine, writes Professor Reynolds, could boast that when Julian asked Christians to sacrifice and offer incense to the gods they, at all hazards, sternly refused; but when he summoned them to fight for the empire they rushed to the front. "They distinguished between their Eternal Lord and their earthly ruler, and yet they yielded obedience to their earthly ruler for the sake of their Eternal Lord." Least of any should we expect St. Paul to write such words, so loyal and faithful to Rome. He had found, indeed, little cause in his chequered, troubled life to be grateful personally to the Empire; with ears too ready had Rome ever listened to the cruel "informations" laid against him by his implacable Jewish enemies; she had imprisoned him, fettered him, hindered his work, and threatened his life; and when he was writing these deathless words of his, urging upon his devoted flock a loyalty changeless and true, for him the supreme vengeance of Rome was close at hand.

To be ready to every good work.--Ready cheerfully to aid all lawful authority, municipal and otherwise, in their public works undertaken for city or state. The flock of Titus must remember that the true Christian ought to be known as a good citizen and a devoted patriot.