Titus 3:1

CHAPTER III.

The necessity of obedience to the civil powers, and of meek and

gentle deportment towards all men, is to be diligently

enforced, 1, 2.

The wretched state of man, previously to the advent of Christ,

3.

The wonderful change which the grace of God makes, and the means

which it uses to bring men to glory, 4-7.

The necessity of a holy life, and of avoiding things which

produce strifes and contentions, and are unprofitable and vain,

8, 9.

How to deal with those who are heretics, 10, 11.

St. Paul directs Titus to meet him at Nicopolis, and to bring

Zenas and Apollos with him, 12; 13.

Concluding directions and salutations, 14, 15.

NOTES ON CHAP. III.

Verse Titus 3:1. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities, c.] By principalities, αρχαις, we are to understand the Roman emperors, or the supreme civil powers in any place.

By powers, εξουσιαις, we are to understand the deputies of the emperors, such as proconsuls, c., and all such as are in authority-under the supreme powers wherever we dwell. See the doctrine of obedience to the civil powers discussed at large in the notes on Romans 13:1.

This doctrine of obedience to the civil powers was highly necessary for the Cretans, who were reputed a people exceedingly jealous of their civil privileges, and ready to run into a state of insurrection when they suspected any attempt on the part of their rulers to infringe their liberties. Suidas, under the word ανεσειον, they stirred up, gives the following fragment: Οἱ δε Κρητες, φοβουμενοι μη τι τιμωριας τυχωσιν, ανεσειον τα πληθη, παρακαλουντες την εξ αιωνος παραδεδομενην ελευθεριαν διαφυλαττειν. "But the Cretans, fearing lest they should be punished, stirred up the populace, exhorting them that they should carefully preserve that liberty which they had received from their ancestors." What part of the history of Crete this refers to I cannot tell the words stand thus insulated in Suidas, without introduction or connection. To be jealous of our civil rights and privileges, and most strenuously to preserve them, is highly praiseworthy but to raise a public tumult to avoid merited chastisement, under pretence that our civil privileges are in danger, is not the part of patriots but insurgents. For such advice as that given here the known character of the Cretans is a sufficient reason: "They were ever liars, ferocious wild beasts, and sluggish gluttons." Such persons would feel little disposition to submit to the wholesome restraints of law.