Titus 3:1...Church authority?

[MarcoPolo]

My NEW AMERICAN BIBLE translates Titus 3:1 as “Remind them to be under the control of the magistrates and authorities…”

The footnote says some interpreters say these terms refer to principalities and powers of heaven’s heirarchy.

In the DOUAY-RHEIMS, Titus 3:1 says “Admonish them to be subject to princes and powers…” To me this sounds more like the heavenly interpretation.

And in my REVISED STANDARD VERSION-CATHOLIC EDITION, the passage reads, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities…” This one again sounds like the Church authority interpretation.

Anyone have any resources on this passage? Just curious if this passage is one for apologetics with regard to Church authority and the Magisterium (which is implied in the NAB’s use of the word “magistrates”). Or if there is more insight that the passage is to be understood as referencing heavenly authority?

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Hi,

My commentary says it is in regards to the government. We must be under the authority of the government at hand. All government is from God, whether or not they are following God it is better to be under government then have anarchy, because noone can survive long under anarchy. Paul makes note of this somewhere in Romans as well.
That is all I know.

 

[lak611]

Hi,

My commentary says it is in regards to the government. We must be under the authority of the government at hand. All government is from God, whether or not they are following God it is better to be under government then have anarchy, because noone can survive long under anarchy. Paul makes note of this somewhere in Romans as well.
That is all I know.

You are correct. This is also found in the Haydock Commentary. “Ver. 1. Princes and powers. At the time St. Paul wrote this epistle to Titus, there were many Jews, particularly the disciples of Judas of Gaulan, who maintained that the Hebrews were under no obligation of obeying any other than God, or at most the rulers of their own nation. St. Paul here admonishes them, that in conformity with the example and instruction of our divine Saviour, they ought likewise to obey every other temporal prince set over them by the Almighty, provided they commanded nothing contrary to the law of God. (St. Jerome, Estius, Menochius) — Piety teaches, and pastors should enforce three duties towards princes: submission to their authority, obedience to their laws, and a disposition of heart to meet all their just desires.”