<p>3:1 <i>Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities- to be obedient</i><i>, to be eagerly ready to do every good work</i><i>- </i>These terms could refer to authority figures within the church i.e. elders. But they more naturally refer to local magistrates etc. The picture presented of the Cretan congregations is very negative. There were problems with alcoholism, slander, aggression, laziness, in trouble with the law and not obeying court judgments. They were keen to obey Mosaic Law, but not the civil law around them. They needed to be exhorted not to be &quot;disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another&quot; (:3). And yet never is there any talk about restricting the breaking of bread to these folks or casting them out of the church. Rather the focus is on having the right teaching mechanisms to try to improve these folks.</p>