Titus 1:9

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. HOLDING FAST - firmly to (cf. Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). THE FAITHFUL - true and trustworthy (1 Timothy 1:15). WORD AS HE HATH BEEN TAUGHT - `the faithful word (which is) according to the (apostolic) teaching' (cf. 1 Timothy 4:6, end; 2 Timothy 1:13;...

9._Holding fast the faithful word _This is the chief gift in a bishop, who is elected principally for the sake of teaching; for the Church cannot be governed in any other way than by the word. “The faithful word” is the appellation which he gives to that doctrine which is pure, and which has proceeded from the mouth of God. He wishes that a bishop should hold it fast, so as not only to be well instructed in it, but to be constant in maintaining it. There are some fickle persons who easily suffer themselves to be carried away to various kinds of doctrine; while others are cast down by fear, or moved by any occurrence to forsake the defense of the truth. Paul therefore enjoins that those persons shall be chosen who, having cordially embraced the truth of God, and holding it firmly, never allow it to be wrested from them, or can be torn from it. And, indeed, nothing is more dangerous than t...

5-9 The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders and bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being such bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is great reason that they should be blameless. What they are not to be, is plainly shown, as well as what they are to be, as servants of Christ, and able ministers of the letter and practice of the gospel. And here are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works....

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....

HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD - That is, the true doctrines of the gospel. This means that he is to hold this fast, in opposition to one who would wrest it away, and in opposition to all false teachers, and to all systems of false philosophy. He must be a man who is firm in his belief of the doctrines of the Christian faith, and a man who can be relied on to maintain and defend those doctrines in all circumstances; compare notes, 2 Thessalonians 2:15. AS HE HATH BEEN TAUGHT - Margin, “in teaching.” Greek “According to the teaching.” The sense is, according to that doctrine as taught by the inspired teachers of religion. It does not mean as he had individually been taught; but he was to hold the faith as it was delivered by those whom the Saviour had appointed to make it known to mankind. The phrase “the

EXPOSITION TITUS 1:1 _Knowledge _for _acknowledging, _A.V.; _according to _for _after, _A.V. A SERVANT OF GOD (δοῦλος Θεοῦ); so in the superscriptions: Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ;_ _James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jud 2 Peter 1:1; Revelation 1:1. St. Paul also calls himself "the servant of Christ" ...

HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD,.... The doctrine of the Gospel, so called because it is true, and to be believed; it is the word of truth, and truth itself, and contains nothing but truth; and because it never deceived any, that gave credit to its doctrines, and its promises; and because it is pure, unmixed, and unadulterated, and is the sincere milk of the word; and because in it is a glorious display of the faithfulness of God to his perfections, to his holiness and justice, to his law, and to his covenant, word, and oath; and of the faithfulness of Christ, to him that appointed him and to his covenant engagements, and which has appeared in the discharge of his various offices: and this is not only to be held forth by the elder, but to be held fast, and tenaciously abode by; in opposition to all wavering about it, departure from it, dropping or concealing any part of it, and pusillanim...

While reading this chapter, we must understand that Titus was sent to Crete, to superintend the preaching of the gospel throughout that island. Crete was at that time inhabited by a people who were only partially civilized, and sunk in the very worst of vices. Paul, therefore, tells Titus to speak to them about things which would hardly be mentioned to Christians nowadays. Titus 1:1. _Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; to Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour._

TITUS 1:9 evle,gcein After evle,gcein a trilingual manuscript of the thirteenth century (no. 460, Greek with Latin and Arabic versions) adds Mh. ceirotonei/n diga,mouj mhde. diako,nouj auvtou.j poiei/n( mhde. gunai/kaj e;cein evk digami,aj\ mhde. proserce,sqwsan evn tw|/ qusiasthri,w| leitourgei/n to. qei/on) tou.j a;rcontaj tou.j avdikokri,taj kai. a[rpagaj kai. yeu,staj kai. avneleh,monaj e;legce w`j qeou/ dia,konoj (“Do not appoint those who have married twice or make them deacons, and do not take wives in a second marriage; let them not come to serve the Deity at the altar. As God’s servant reprove the rulers who are unjust judges and robbers and liars and unmerciful”). (See also the comment on ver. 11.)...

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The salutation (Titus 1:1)_ 2. Instructions concerning elders (Titus 1:5) 3. Warnings against false teachers (Titus 1:10) Titus 1:1 Paul calls himself in writing to Titus “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,” for he speaks in these introductory words of God's elect, and their faith in Him; and the promise of eternal life, God, who cannot lie, gave before the dispensations began; and that His Word is now manifested through preaching which was committed unto him by our Saviour-God. God's elect are those who have trusted in Christ. Th