What Does Titus 3:1 Mean in the King James?
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Titus joins civic obedience to readiness for good, showing public life as a place where goodness is lived.
THE MEANING
You are being reminded to recognize governing authority, obey magistrates, and remain prepared for every good work. The verse places civic order and active goodness in the same present life.
THE ROOT
ὑποτάσσεσθαι
hypotassesthai
GROWS FROM
τάσσω
tassō
To arrange, assign, or put in order.
The verb combines taking an ordered place with being under authority. “Subject” carries the texture of placement within a structure as well as compliance.
ALSO GROWS
taxis: Order or arrangement.
τάξις
This related word brings out the sense of taking a place within an established order.
diatassō: To arrange, direct, or prescribe.
διατάσσω
Its use for setting things in order echoes the verse’s language of ordered civic life.
ἐξουσίαις
exousiais
GROWS FROM
ἔξεστι
exesti
It is permitted or possible.
The word for “powers” is associated with what is permitted or within someone’s authority, carrying a sense of recognized right or jurisdiction. The verse names governing power alongside its call to obey magistrates.
ALSO GROWS
exousia: Authority, right, or jurisdiction.
ἐξουσία
This is the singular form of the word translated “powers” in the verse.
exousiazō: To exercise authority or have power over.
ἐξουσιάζω
This related verb shows the active exercise of the authority named here.
ἑτοίμους
hetoimous
GROWS FROM
ἑτοιμ-
hetoim-
Ready or prepared.
The word belongs to a family around making ready and preparation, giving “ready” the texture of a prepared posture toward action. The reader is held ready for every good work.
ALSO GROWS
hetoimazō: To prepare or make ready.
ἑτοιμάζω
This related verb makes explicit the preparation contained in being ready.
hetoimasia: Preparation or readiness.
ἑτοιμασία
This related noun shows readiness as a state of being prepared.
THE PATTERN
Scripture joins life within public structures to concrete good that serves people around you.
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.THE THREAD
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.Romans uses the same verb ὑποτάσσω (hypotassō, “to arrange under” or “be subject”) for being subject to governing powers. The shared root places Titus’s reminder within a wider scriptural language of taking one’s place in civic order.
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