to submit to rulers and authorities
Submission to governing authorities is a recurring theme in the New Testament, reflecting the early Christian understanding of civic responsibility. This aligns with Romans 13:1-7, where Paul instructs believers to be subject to governing authorities, as they are instituted by God. The historical context includes the Roman Empire's rule, which was often oppressive, yet Christians were called to respect and submit to its authority as a testimony of their faith and trust in God's sovereignty.

to be obedient
Obedience here extends beyond mere submission to include a willing and active compliance with laws and regulations, provided they do not contradict God's commands. This obedience is a reflection of a transformed life, demonstrating the believer's commitment to living out their faith in practical ways. It echoes the call to obedience found throughout Scripture, such as in 1 Peter 2:13-17, where believers are urged to submit to every human authority for the Lord's sake.

and ready for every good work
This phrase highlights the proactive nature of the Christian life. Believers are not only to avoid wrongdoing but are also called to actively engage in good deeds. This readiness implies preparation and willingness to serve others, reflecting the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified a life of service. Ephesians 2:10 reinforces this idea, stating that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand. The call to good works is a response to God's grace and a demonstration of faith in action.

(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.