Titus 1:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Holding fast {G472} the faithful {G4103} word {G3056} as {G2596} he hath been taught {G1322}, that {G2443} he may be {G5600} able {G1415} by {G1722} sound {G5198} doctrine {G1319} both {G2532} to exhort {G3870} and {G2532} to convince {G1651} the gainsayers {G483}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy Message that agrees with the doctrine; so that by his sound teaching he will be able to exhort and encourage, and also to refute those who speak against it.

Berean Standard Bible

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

American Standard Version

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Titus 1:9 outlines a critical qualification for church elders, emphasizing their intellectual and theological integrity. It mandates that a spiritual leader must firmly adhere to the gospel message they have received, enabling them to effectively build up believers through healthy teaching and to decisively refute those who oppose the truth. This verse highlights the dual responsibility of a pastor: to nourish the flock with sound doctrine and to protect it from the corrosive influence of error.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Titus 1:9 is positioned within Paul's comprehensive instructions to Titus regarding the appointment of elders in every city on Crete. Following a general charge for Titus to appoint qualified leaders in [Titus 1:5](/titus/1-5 "Titus 1:5 - Appointing Elders"), Paul enumerates a series of moral and relational qualifications in [Titus 1:6-8](/titus/1-6-8 "Titus 1:6-8 - Qualifications for Overseers"). Verse 9 then transitions to the intellectual and theological prerequisites, specifically focusing on the elder's ability to handle the "faithful word" and engage with both believers and opponents. This verse sets the stage for Paul's subsequent warnings about the prevalence and danger of false teachers in [Titus 1:10-16](/titus/1-10-16 "Titus 1:10-16 - Dealing with False Teachers"), underscoring the vital necessity of biblically grounded leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The letter to Titus addresses the challenges of establishing Christian communities on the island of Crete, a society notorious for its moral laxity and deceit, as even a Cretan prophet acknowledged in [Titus 1:12](/titus/1-12 "Titus 1:12 - Cretans are Liars"). The early church in Crete faced internal struggles with unruly and vain talkers, particularly those from Jewish backgrounds who promoted legalistic fables and human commands ([Titus 1:10-11](/titus/1-10-11 "Titus 1:10-11 - Rebuking False Teachers")). In such an environment, the integrity and doctrinal soundness of church leaders were paramount. They needed to be not only morally upright but also intellectually capable of discerning truth from error and defending the gospel against those who sought to undermine it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Titus and Paul's pastoral epistles. The most prominent is the theme of **sound doctrine**, which is repeatedly emphasized as essential for the health and purity of the church (e.g., [Titus 2:1](/titus/2-1 "Titus 2:1 - Teach Sound Doctrine"), [1 Timothy 1:10](/1_timothy/1-10 "1 Timothy 1:10 - Law for the Unrighteous")). It highlights the **pastoral responsibility** of leaders not just to manage but to teach, protect, and guide the flock. The verse also underscores the theme of **combating heresy**, recognizing that the church operates in a world where false teachings inevitably arise, necessitating leaders who can "convince the gainsayers." Finally, it speaks to the **authority of the gospel**, portraying it as a "faithful word" that must be steadfastly upheld and proclaimed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Holding fast (Greek, _antéchomai'_):** From *anti* (opposite) and *echomai* (to hold oneself), this verb signifies a firm, tenacious adherence, implying a strong grip and unwavering commitment. It's not merely intellectual assent but a steadfast embrace and defense of the truth, often in the face of opposition.
* **Faithful word (Greek, _pistós lógos'_):** *Pistós* means trustworthy, reliable, or sure, while *lógos* refers to a word, message, or discourse. Together, "faithful word" denotes the reliable, divinely revealed message of the gospel—the body of Christian truth that can be fully depended upon. It is the objective standard by which all teaching and conduct are measured.
* **Sound doctrine (Greek, _hygiaínō didaskalía'_):** *Hygiaínō* means to be healthy or well, and figuratively, to be uncorrupt or true in doctrine. *Didaskalía* refers to instruction, teaching, or doctrine itself. Thus, "sound doctrine" literally means "healthy teaching" or "doctrine that promotes health." It is teaching that builds up, nourishes, and promotes spiritual well-being, in stark contrast to teachings that are spiritually debilitating or corrupting.
* **Convince (Greek, _elénchō'_):** This verb means to expose, convict, refute, or admonish. It implies a thorough demonstration of error, bringing someone to a point of conviction or shame concerning their false beliefs or actions. It is a strong term indicating the authoritative and effective refutation of opposing views.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught":** This clause establishes the foundational requirement for an elder: unwavering adherence to the reliable and trustworthy message of the gospel. The phrase "as he hath been taught" (Greek: *didachē*) emphasizes that this "faithful word" is not a personal invention but a received tradition, a body of truth passed down from the apostles. It highlights the importance of continuity and fidelity to original apostolic teaching.
* **"that he may be able by sound doctrine":** This explains the purpose and means of holding fast to the faithful word. The elder's firm grasp of truth empowers him. The instrument through which he operates is "sound doctrine"—teaching that is healthy, wholesome, and spiritually nourishing. This implies that the elder's teaching must be biblically accurate, theologically robust, and conducive to the spiritual health of the congregation.
* **"both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers":** This final clause specifies the dual function of the elder's teaching ability. "To exhort" (Greek: *parakaléō*) means to encourage, comfort, or urge believers in the path of righteousness and truth. This is the positive, edifying aspect of ministry. "To convince the gainsayers" (Greek: *elénchō antilégō*) refers to the necessary task of refuting, exposing, and bringing to conviction those who contradict or speak against the truth. "Gainsayers" are those who oppose or dispute sound doctrine, often false teachers. This highlights the elder's crucial role in protecting the flock from doctrinal error and spiritual harm.

#### Literary Devices
Titus 1:9 employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The phrase "holding fast" uses **metaphor** to depict the elder's relationship with the "faithful word" as a firm, unyielding grip, suggesting tenacity and unwavering commitment. The concept of "sound doctrine" is also a **metaphor**, likening healthy teaching to physical health, implying that true doctrine promotes spiritual well-being, while false teaching leads to spiritual sickness. The verse also utilizes **antithesis** or **contrast** by presenting two distinct, yet complementary, functions of the elder's teaching: "to exhort" (building up believers) and "to convince the gainsayers" (refuting opponents). This juxtaposition highlights the comprehensive nature of pastoral responsibility, encompassing both nurture and defense. Furthermore, the structure "both... and..." creates a **parallelism**, emphasizing that these two aspects of ministry are equally vital and interconnected.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Titus 1:9 profoundly connects to the broader biblical emphasis on truth, authority, and the nature of spiritual leadership. It underscores that the church is built upon the foundation of apostolic teaching, not on human wisdom or fleeting opinions. The elder's role is not merely administrative but fundamentally theological, serving as a guardian and dispenser of God's revealed truth. This commitment to "sound doctrine" is a bulwark against the spiritual decay that false teaching inevitably brings, ensuring the purity of the gospel and the spiritual health of the community. The ability to both nurture and confront demonstrates the holistic nature of pastoral care, reflecting God's own character as both loving Shepherd and righteous Judge.

* [2 Timothy 2:15](/2_timothy/2-15 "2 Timothy 2:15 - Rightly Dividing the Word")
* [1 Timothy 4:16](/1_timothy/4-16 "1 Timothy 4:16 - Pay Close Attention to Your Teaching")
* [Jude 1:3](/jude/1-3 "Jude 1:3 - Contend for the Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Titus 1:9, while specifically addressing the qualifications for elders, offers profound principles applicable to every believer. In an era saturated with diverse and often conflicting information, the call to "hold fast the faithful word" resonates deeply. It challenges us to be diligent students of Scripture, not merely passive recipients of information, but active embracers of divine truth. This involves consistent engagement with God's Word, allowing it to shape our worldview, values, and character. Furthermore, the verse reminds us that our understanding of truth should not remain isolated but should equip us to both encourage fellow believers and thoughtfully engage with those who question or oppose Christian faith. This requires not only knowledge but also wisdom, humility, and love, enabling us to speak truth both persuasively and graciously. For church leaders, this verse is a perpetual reminder of the immense responsibility to be deeply rooted in Scripture, capable of discerning error, and courageous enough to protect the flock from spiritual harm, all while faithfully nurturing them in the way of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How firmly am I "holding fast" to the faithful word in my daily life and beliefs?**
* **In what ways do I actively seek to understand and apply "sound doctrine" in my personal walk and interactions?**
* **Am I equipped to "exhort" (encourage and build up) others in the faith through sound teaching?**
* **When faced with "gainsayers" or false ideas, how prepared am I to "convince" (refute or clarify) the truth with grace and clarity?**
* **What steps can I take to deepen my commitment to biblical truth and enhance my ability to articulate and defend it?**

### FAQ
**What is meant by "the faithful word" in this verse?**

Answer: "The faithful word" (Greek: *pistos logos*) refers to the reliable, trustworthy, and divinely revealed message of the gospel. It encompasses the entirety of Christian truth that has been taught and passed down from the apostles. It is the objective, unchanging standard of God's revelation, upon which Christian faith and practice are built. This "word" is faithful because it originates from God, is true in its content, and is dependable in its promises. It is the authoritative standard that leaders must adhere to and teach.

**Who are "the gainsayers" that elders must be able to convince?**

Answer: "The gainsayers" (Greek: *antilégō*) are those who contradict, oppose, or speak against the truth of the gospel and sound doctrine. In the context of Titus, these were often false teachers, particularly those from a Jewish background, who were spreading erroneous teachings, fables, and human commands that were undermining the faith of believers and disrupting the church ([Titus 1:10-11](/titus/1-10-11 "Titus 1:10-11 - Rebuking False Teachers")). An elder's ability to "convince" them means to refute their arguments, expose their errors, and bring them to a point of conviction through the power of sound doctrine, thereby protecting the flock from their harmful influence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Titus 1:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ, who is Himself the quintessential "faithful word" and the source of all "sound doctrine." He is the [Logos, the Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the very embodiment of truth who perfectly revealed the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Jesus consistently "held fast" to the Father's will and word, never deviating from His divine mission or message. His teaching was always "sound doctrine," bringing health and life to those who heard it, unlike the corrupt teachings of the Pharisees that brought bondage ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")). Moreover, Christ perfectly exemplified the dual function of "exhorting" and "convincing." He tenderly exhorted His disciples to follow Him and live righteously ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")), while fearlessly and powerfully "convincing the gainsayers"—rebuking the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and exposing their errors with divine authority ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23-1-36 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Thus, the qualifications for elders in Titus 1:9 are a call to emulate the perfect ministry of Christ, who is the ultimate Teacher, Shepherd, and Defender of truth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

2 Timothy 1:13

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:3

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1 Timothy 1:10

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Revelation 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

1 Timothy 1:15

This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Job 2:3

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.