“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work — the civic obligation (hypotassesthai exousias) flows from theological conviction rather than coercion, reflecting Romans 13. Obedience and readiness for good works form the positive content of submission, preventing passive complicity with injustice. The reminder function (hypepoiē) suggests these were previously taught truths requiring renewal in memory.
Church Fathers on Titus 3:1
What then? Even when men do evil, may we not revile them? Nay, but “to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man.” Hear the exhortation, “To speak evil of no man.” Our lips should be pure from reviling. For if our reproaches are true, it is not for us to utter them, but for the Judge to enquire into the matter. “For why,” he says, “do you judge your brother?” Romans 14:10 But if they are not true, how great the fire. Hear what the thief says to his fellow-thief.…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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