1 Make clear to them that they are to put themselves under rulers and authorities, to do what they are ordered, to be ready for every good work,
Let everyone put himself under the authority of the higher powers, because there is no power which is not of God, and all powers are ordered by God. For which reason everyone who puts himself against the authority puts himself against the order of God: and those who are against it will get punishment for themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear to the good work but to the evil. If you would have no fear of the authority, do good and you will have praise; For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer. So put yourselves under the authority, not for fear of wrath, but because you have the knowledge of what is right. For the same reason, make payment of taxes; because the authority is God's servant, to take care of such things at all times. Give to all what is their right: taxes to him whose they are, payment to him whose right it is, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour is to be given.
Keep all the laws of men because of the Lord; those of the king, who is over all, And those of the rulers who are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers and for the praise of those who do well. Because it is God's pleasure that foolish and narrow-minded men may be put to shame by your good behaviour: As those who are free, not using your free position as a cover for wrongdoing, but living as the servants of God; Have respect for all, loving the brothers, fearing God, honouring the king.
If the wrath of the ruler is against you, keep in your place; in him who keeps quiet even great sins may be overlooked.
They say to him, Caesar's. Then he said to them, Give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.
I say to you, Keep the king's law, from respect for the oath of God. Be not quick to go from before him. Be not fixed in an evil design, because he does whatever is pleasing to him. The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing? Whoever keeps the law will come to no evil: and a wise man's heart has knowledge of time and of decision.
My son, go in fear of the Lord and the king: have nothing to do with those who are in high positions:
And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.
My loved ones, this is now my second letter to you, and in this as in the first, I am attempting to keep your true minds awake; So that you may keep in mind the words of the holy prophets in the past, and the law of the Lord and Saviour which was given to you by his Apostles.
For this reason I will be ready at all times to keep your memory of these things awake, though you have the knowledge of them now and are well based in your present faith.
Make you full of every good work and ready to do all his desires, working in us whatever is pleasing in his eyes through Jesus Christ; and may the glory be given to him for ever and ever. So be it.
Who gave himself for us, so that he might make us free from all wrongdoing, and make for himself a people clean in heart and on fire with good works.
For this reason I say to you, Let that grace of God which is in you, given to you by my hands, have living power.
For kings and all those in authority; so that we may have a calm and quiet life in all fear of God and serious behaviour.
Living uprightly in the approval of the Lord, giving fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
For by his act we were given existence in Christ Jesus to do those good works which God before made ready for us so that we might do them.
And let us not get tired of well-doing; for at the right time we will get in the grain, if we do not give way to weariness. So then, as we have the chance, let us do good to all men, and specially to those who are of the family of the faith.
The scribes and the Pharisees have the authority of Moses; All things, then, which they give you orders to do, these do and keep: but do not take their works as your example, for they say and do not.
Give no attention to them; become servants of the king of Babylon and keep yourselves from death: why let this town become a waste?
And any man who, in his pride, will not give ear to the priest whose place is there before the Lord your God, or to the judge, is to be put to death: you are to put away the evil from Israel.
And let our people go on with good works for necessary purposes, so that they may not be without fruit.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Titus 3
Commentary on Titus 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
Of duties which concern Christians more in common, and the reasons of them (v. 1-8). What Titus in teaching should avoid, and how he should deal with a heretic, with some other directions (v. 9-14), and salutations in the close (v. 15).
Tts 3:1-8
Here is the fourth thing in the matter of the epistle. The apostle had directed Titus in reference to the particular and special duties of several sorts of persons; now he bids him exhort to what concerned them more in common, namely, to quietness and submission to rulers, and readiness to do good, and to equitable and gentle behaviour towards all men-things comely and ornamental of religion; he must therefore put them in mind of such things. Ministers are people's remembrancers of their duty. As they are remembrancers for the people to God in prayers (Isa. 62:6), so are they from God to them in preaching: I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance, 2 Pt. 1:12. Forgetfulness of duty is a common frailty; there is need therefore of reminding and quickening them thereto. Here are the duties themselves, and the reasons of them.
Tts 3:9-15
Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe,