Titus 3:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

TITUS CHAPTER 3 Titus 3:1,2 Christians are admonished to be subject to civil powers, and of a peaceable and quiet demeanour. Titus 3:3-8 They are saved from their sins by God's mercy through Christ, but must maintain good works. Titus 3:9 Genealogies and contentions about the law are to be avoided, Titus 3:10,11 and obstinate heretics to be rejected. Titus 3:12,13 Paul appointeth Titus when and where to come to him, Titus 3:14 recommendeth acts of mercy to Christians, Titus 3:15 and concludeth with salutations and a benediction. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers: all the supreme secular powers at this time were pagans, and no friends to the Christians in their dominions, which might be a temptation to the Christians to rebel against them, or at least not to yield them so free, universal, and cheerful an obedience as they ought; therefore the apostle presseth this duty upon them, and that not here only, but Romans 13:1: see 1 Peter 2:13. To obey magistrates: by the former term he might understand the supreme magistrates, by the latter, those inferior ranks; as the apostle Peter expresseth himself more particularly, 1 Peter 2:13,14. To be ready to every good work; to be free, and prepared to every work which is acceptable to God and honourable in itself.