Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

In addition to the admonitions which Titus, according to the directions of Paul, was to address to the persons in various stations in the congregations, the apostle here inserts some general exhortations for all Christians: Remind them to be subject to their rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. Not only the members of the congregations of Crete, but all Christians should keep in memory and recall the fact continually, that they owe allegiance and obedience to the government given them by God. In all matters which are not covered by an actual prohibition of God they are to submit themselves willingly, even if their personal feelings are not in agreement with the policies of the rulers. It makes no difference whether the national polity is republican or monarchical, whether the rulers profess Christianity or not, whether their policies are beneficial or not, the Christians in every country must submit, be obedient to them by the will of God, Romans 13:1. There is only one exception, namely, when the ordinances of the state oppose the plain will of God, Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29. Even in a republic the feeling of obedience, of reverence, and the corresponding willingness to give concrete evidence of this feeling at all times must be self-evident with Christians. If, in this case, they do not believe that the men representing the government are working for the best interests of the entire country, they may voice their disapproval through the medium of speech or the press or the ballot-box; but as long as a government is in power, it must be supported by the Christians of the land. Their external acts thus agreeing with the disposition of their minds, they will be ready, as a matter of course, to every good work, in every relation which they sustain in life, not only to magistrates, but in general. As one commentator puts it: "A Christian should always be ready to do good as far as he is able. He should not need to be urged, or coaxed, or persuaded, but should be so ready always to do good that he will count it a privilege to have the opportunity to do it. " (Barnes.) Incidentally, the Christians will thereby escape the accusation as though they were an association opposed to all culture and characterized by hatred of all men.

The apostle wants the Christians to be active in all good works, to be an example to all men: To slander no one, not to be quarrelsome, (to be) humbly yielding, showing all meekness toward all men. It is not only a matter of Christian prudence, but of the express will of God that Christians speak blasphemously of no man nor of his convictions. One may well respect the convictions of other men without denying his own faith with so much as one word, one gesture. Deliberately to seek out unbelievers for the purpose of ridiculing many of the false opinions which they hold instead of attempting to gain them by patient persuasion, is the height of folly. In a case of deliberate and malicious perversion of the truth, of course, or of evident hypocrisy, one will adopt a tone that will fully express one's righteous indignation at the blasphemous attitude of the opponent. But to be contentious, to seek quarrels, that is not the spirit that agrees with the example of Him who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not, 1 Peter 2:23. Altogether, it is expected of Christians that they prefer to be humbly yielding in their attitude rather than aggressively challenging, that they show meekness toward all men. This is a virtue which is not shown so much toward those that are kind toward us as toward those from whom we may receive the greatest provocation. This meekness and humility may be learned only in the school of the Holy Ghost, with the example of Christ before one's eyes without ceasing.

In urging this virtue, the apostle names seven points which characterize the unregenerate, from whom the believers have been separated through the grace of God: For also we once were foolish, disobedient, going astray, serving various desires and lusts, spending our days in malice and envy, abominable, hating one another. The picture which the apostle draws is not a pleasant one, but it is purposely presented in glaring colors, in order to show the grace of God all the more gloriously by contrast. Of us, before the mercy of the Lord wrought faith in our hearts, of all men by nature, it is true that they are foolish, that they do not use their senses properly in accordance with God's will. There is not only a lack of spiritual knowledge in their hearts, no understanding of the things which serve for their salvation, but they have no idea, no comprehension of that which is good and true; they use their minds only for the purpose of enriching human wisdom, without the basis of the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore they are also bound up in disobedience, they are in a condition of rebellion against God. See Romans 1:32; Romans 2:12. The natural knowledge of God and the promptings of their conscience they did not heed, or they deliberately disregarded them. It follows that the unbelievers are going astray at all times, they cannot find the right way; no matter which way they turn, their errors encompass them. Thus they are enslaved by various desires and lusts. See 2 Timothy 3:6; James 4:1. Of the Spirit of God and His gentle leading, of the way of sanctification, they have no idea. The warning voice of their conscience they stifle. The lusts and desires of their flesh, the incitement toward unchastity, covetousness, false ambition, and other godless thoughts govern their hearts and minds altogether. They are always restless, never satisfied, their whole life is spent in malice and envy. They are full of eagerness to do harm to others, because they cannot bear to see others have any advantage over them. The entire aim and object of their life, in the final analysis, is selfishness and greed. Thus they are an abomination to the Lord and an object of contempt to those that have a better knowledge of the will of God. Not even among themselves, in their own class, are they able to keep peace, for they are filled with hatred toward one another. It is a terrible, a deplorable condition in which the unregenerate find themselves. And since that was the original condition of the Christians also, they will not thrust back the unbelievers by a malevolent attitude, but will, in every possible way, attempt to bring them the message of salvation in Christ Jesus.