Titus 3:1

The rec. text inserts καὶ between ἀρχαῖς and ἐξουσίαις, on the authority of D2cE**KLP, most other MSS., and a general consensus of versions and Fathers. It is omitted by modern editors, chiefly because of the lack of uncial evidence, it not being found in אACD2* EG 17 or g.

1. ὑπομίμνησκε αὐτούς. Put them in mind (cp. 2 Timothy 2:14) &c. The injunctions which follow would not be novel to the Cretan Christians; but, though familiar, they will bear repetition.

ἀρχαῖς ἐξουσίαις ὑποτάσσεσθαι, to be subject to rulers, to authorities, a very necessary injunction to men who might be apt to presume on their possession of the true faith, so as to offend the pagan government under which their lot was cast. It is said by Polybius (VI. 46.9) that the Cretans were notorious for their seditious character, and it has been supposed that St Paul had this revolutionary spirit of theirs in his mind; but the qualities which he proceeds to mention in the next verse do not seem to have any such special reference, and, as a matter of fact, he addressed like counsel to the Romans (Romans 13:1); cp. also 1 Timothy 2:1-3, where the Ephesian Christians are directed to pray for ‘all in authority.’

πειθαρχεῖν, to be obedient, sc. to the civil law and to the magistrates; St Paul never underrates the duties of citizenship.

πειθαρχεῖν is not found anywhere else in St Paul’s writings, but it occurs in a speech of his (Acts 27:21).

πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον�, to be ready unto every good work; for, as he explains in the parallel passage Romans 13:3, ‘rulers are not a terror to good works but to evil.’ see on 2 Timothy 2:21.