Titus 3:1

With these instructions as to duty towards civil authority, compare Romans 13:1 sqq., 1 Peter 2:13 sqq. It is perhaps significant of the difference between Crete and the province of Asia, as regards respect for law, that in 1 Timothy 2:1-3, reasons are given why we should pray for rulers, while here the more elementary duty of obedience is enjoined. Polybius (6:46. 9) remarks on the seditious character of the Cretans.

ὑπομίμνησκε : See note on 2 Timothy 2:14.

ἀρχαῖς : ἀρχαί and ἐξουσίαι are coupled in this sense in Luke 12:11; ἀρχή and ἐξουσία in the abstract, Luke 20:20. The two words are coupled together as names for ranks of angels in Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16; Colossians 2:10; Colossians 2:15; with δύναμις, 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21; ἀρχαί, alone, Romans 8:38.

πειθαρχεῖν : (dicto obedire) is best taken absolutely, and with a wider reference than the preceding clause: i.e., as R.V., to be obedient, rather than merely to obey magistrates (A.V.).

πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν. See reff.