Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Original Language Analysis
Ὑπομίμνῃσκε
Put
G5279
Ὑπομίμνῃσκε
Put
Strong's:
G5279
Word #:
1 of 13
to remind quietly, i.e., suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀρχαῖς
to principalities
G746
ἀρχαῖς
to principalities
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
3 of 13
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξουσίαις
powers
G1849
ἐξουσίαις
powers
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
5 of 13
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
πειθαρχεῖν
to obey magistrates
G3980
πειθαρχεῖν
to obey magistrates
Strong's:
G3980
Word #:
7 of 13
to be persuaded by a ruler, i.e., (genitive case) to submit to authority; by analogy, to conform to advice
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
8 of 13
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.Proverbs 24:21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:Matthew 22:21They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.2 Timothy 2:21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.Hebrews 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.1 Timothy 2:2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.1 Timothy 4:6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.1 Timothy 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Historical Context
Roman governance provided infrastructure (roads, aqueducts, law courts, military protection) enabling gospel spread. Christians benefited from pax Romana while anticipating Christ's kingdom. Later, when emperors like Nero persecuted Christians, the same submission principle applied (1 Peter 2:18-20)—suffering unjustly for Christ's sake, not revolutionary resistance.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you submit to governing authorities (even flawed ones) as unto the Lord, or does political tribalism override biblical commands?
- Are you ready for every good work in your community—volunteering, serving, helping—or do you only focus on church activities?
- How do you balance submission to civil authority with ultimate allegiance to Christ when they conflict (Acts 5:29)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates—ὑπομίμνῃσκε (hypomimnēske, remind/put in remembrance) αὐτοὺς ἀρχαῖς ἐξουσίαις ὑποτάσσεσθαι (autous archais exousiais hypotassesthai, them to submit to rulers and authorities). πειθαρχεῖν (peitharchein, obey/be persuaded by rulers). Civil submission is Christian duty, not optional (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17).
To be ready to every good work (πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἑτοίμους εἶναι, pros pan ergon agathon hetoimous einai)—ἕτοιμος (hetoimos, ready/prepared). Christians should be society's most useful citizens, eager for common-grace good works benefiting all. This counters the charge that Christianity produced useless otherworldly mystics. Believers serve earthly authorities while awaiting the heavenly King.