King James Version

What Does Titus 3:1 Mean?

Titus 3:1 in the King James Version says “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,” — study this verse from Titus chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”

Titus 3:1 · KJV

Context

1

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you submit to governing authorities (even flawed ones) as unto the Lord, or does political tribalism override biblical commands?
  2. Are you ready for every good work in your community—volunteering, serving, helping—or do you only focus on church activities?
  3. How do you balance submission to civil authority with ultimate allegiance to Christ when they conflict (Acts 5:29)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
Ὑπομίμνῃσκε1 of 13

“Put”

G5279

to remind quietly, i.e., suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory

αὐτοὺς2 of 13

“them”

G846

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

ἀρχαῖς3 of 13

“to principalities”

G746

(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)

καὶ4 of 13

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξουσίαις5 of 13

“powers”

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

ὑποτάσσεσθαι6 of 13

“to be subject”

G5293

to subordinate; reflexively, to obey

πειθαρχεῖν7 of 13

“to obey magistrates”

G3980

to be persuaded by a ruler, i.e., (genitive case) to submit to authority; by analogy, to conform to advice

πρὸς8 of 13

“to”

G4314

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,

πᾶν9 of 13

“every”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἔργον10 of 13

“work”

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

ἀγαθὸν11 of 13

“good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

ἑτοίμους12 of 13

“ready”

G2092

adjusted, i.e., ready

εἶναι13 of 13

“to be”

G1511

to exist

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Titus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Titus 3:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Titus 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 13:1-71 Peter 2:13-17Ecclesiastes 10:4Galatians 6:9-10Proverbs 24:21Matthew 22:21

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