ACC ~ Titus 3 v1

BE GOOD CITIZENS. ANONYMOUS: Be subject to all governmental power and dominion in things which are pleasing to God, as to the ministers of God and the punishers of the ungodly. Render all the fear that is due to them, all offerings, all customs, all honor, gifts and taxes. For this is God’s command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ.CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES 4.13.

SUBJECT TO MAGISTRATES YET WITHOUT IDOLATRY. TERTULLIAN: Therefore, with regard to the honors due to kings or emperors, we have a sufficient rule, that it is fitting to be in all obedience, according to the apostle’s instruction, “subject to magistrates, and princes and powers.” But this must be within the limits of discipline, so long as we keep ourselves separate from idolatry. ON IDOLATRY 15.

OBEY GOD. JEROME: If what the emperor or leader orders is good, follow the will of him who orders. But if it is evil and is contrary to God, answer to it from the words of the Acts of the Apostles, “it is more important to obey God than men.” COMMENTARY ON TITUS.

THE ANALOGY BETWEEN CIVIL AND DIVINE GOVERNANCE. JOHN OF DAMASCUS: If men honor emperors, who are often corrupt and impious sinners, as well as those appointed by them to rule over provinces, who often are greedy and violent, in obedience to the words of the divine apostle, “Be submissive to rulers and authorities” and “Pay all of them their dues, honor to whom honor is due; respect to whom respect is due” and “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s”—if we do all this, how much more ought we to worship the King of kings? ON DIVINE IMAGES 3.41.

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