Titus 1:9

ἀντεχόμενον : holding firmly to. ἀντέχομαι is stronger than ἔχειν, as used in a similar connexion, 1 Timothy 1:19, etc., etc. The R.V. holding to correctly suggests the notion of withstanding opposition, which is not so clearly felt in the A.V. holding fast. “Having care of it, making it his business” (Chrys.).

δυνατός : See note on 2 Timothy 2:2.

τοῦ κατὰ τὴν διδαχὴν πιστοῦ λόγου : the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching. It is indicative of the weakening of the phrase πιστὸς λόγος that St. Paul strengthens and defines it here by κατὰ τὴν διδαχὴν. It was noted on 1 Timothy 1:15 that πιστὸς λόγος here means the totality of the revelation given in Christ; and ἡ διδαχή is to be taken passively, as equivalent to ἡ διδασκαλία, as employed in these epistles. It is tautological to take it actively, the word which is faithful as regards the teaching of others; for that is expressed in what follows.

παρακαλεῖν ἐλέγχειν : Cf. 2 Timothy 4:2 for this combination. The shepherd must be able to tend the sheep, and to drive away wolves.

ὑγιαινούσῃ : See on 1 Timothy 1:10. διδασκαλία here, as frequently, is a body of doctrine. So R.V., in the sound doctrine. The A.V., by sound doctrine, would refer to the faith as applied in its various parts to particular needs.

τοὺς ἀντιλέγοντας : It is only a coincidence that where this word occurs in Acts it is in reference to Jewish opponents of the Gospel.