For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
We are all by nature greedy for power, unwilling to submit to anyone, and we saw the magistrates opposed to Christ and thought them unworthy of honor. Paul commands subjection to rulers and obedience to their laws and edicts not as optional, but as a general duty binding on all believers.
AI summary
Commenting on Titus 3:1-15
Ministers must remind people of their duties as God reminds them through us; forgetfulness is common. Magistracy is God's ordinance for good, and Christians must submit willingly and for conscience' sake, not merely from fear, so that enemies cannot slander the faith as seditious.
AI summary
Commenting on Titus 3:1-8
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,.... Nothing has a greater tendency to promote humility, and check pride in the saints, than to reflect upon their past state and condition, what they themselves once were; and this is a reason why magistrates, though evil men, should be obeyed in things good and lawful, and why no man should be spoken evil of, and why every...