Verse 9. Holding fast the faithful word] Conscientiously retaining, and zealously maintaining, the true Christian doctrine, κατα την διδαχην, according to the instructions, or according to the institutions, form of sound doctrine, or confession of faith, which I have delivered to thee.

That he may be able by sound doctrine] If the doctrine be not sound, vain is the profession of it, and vain its influence. It is good to be zealously affected in a good thing; but zeal for what is not of God will do no good to the souls of men, how sincere soever that zeal may be.

To exhort] Them to hold the faith, that they may persevere.

And to convince] Refute the objections, confound the sophistry, and convert the gainsayers; and thus defend the truth.

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