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Selected Verse: Titus 1:9 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Tit 1:9 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Holding fast--Holding firmly to (compare Mat 6:24; Luk 16:13).
the faithful--true and trustworthy (Ti1 1:15).
word as he has been taught--literally, "the word (which is) according to the teaching" which he has received (compare Ti1 4:6, end; Ti2 3:14).
by--Translate as Greek, "to exhort in doctrine (instruction) which is sound"; sound doctrine or instruction is the element IN which his exhorting is to have place . . . On "sound" (peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles), see Ti1 1:10; Ti1 6:3.
convince--rather, "reprove" [ALFORD], (Tit 1:13). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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, Th2 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 doctrine," or "the teaching," had a sort of technical meaning, denoting the gospel as that which had been communicated to mankind, not by human reason, but by teaching.
That he may be able by sound doctrine - By sound teaching, or instruction; Notes, Ti1 1:10; Ti1 4:16. He was not to dictate, or to denounce; but to seek to convince by the statement of the truth; see the notes at Ti2 2:25.
Both to exhort and to convince - To persuade them, or to bring them over to your views by kind exhortation, and by the instruction which shall convince. The former method is to be used where men know the truth, but need encouragement to follow it; the latter, where they are ignorant, or are opposed to it. Both exhortation and argument are to be used by the ministers of religion.
The gainsayers - Opposers Literally, those who speak against; that is, against the truth; Notes, Rom 10:21. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Holding fast (ἀντεχόμενον)
Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, Th1 5:14 (note).
The faithful word (τοῦ πιστοῦ λόγου)
The trustworthy, reliable word. Comp. Ti1 1:15 (note).
As he hath been taught (κατὰ τὴν διδαχὴν)
Lit. according to the teaching. Const. with word. Agreeing with the apostolic teaching. For διδαχή teaching see on Ti2 4:2.
May be able by sound doctrine both to exhort (δυνατὸς ῇ καὶ παρακαλεῖν ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ τῇ ὐγιαινούσῃ)
Rend. "may be able both to exhort in the sound teaching." For δυνατὸς able or powerful, see on Ti2 1:12. Used by Paul in the phrase εἰ δυνατόν if it be possible, Rom 12:18; Gal 4:15 : τὸ δυνατόν that which is possible, Rom 9:22 : of God, Rom 4:21; Rom 11:23 : of men, in the ethical sense, Rom 15:1; Co2 12:10; Co2 13:9.
Convince (ἐλέγχειν)
Better, convict. See on Joh 3:20, and see on ἐλεγμὸν, Ti2 3:16.
The gainsayers (τοὺς ἀντιλέγοντας)
In Pastorals only here and Tit 2:9. Once in Paul, Rom 10:21, cit. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Gainsay, Angl. Sax. gegn (Germ. gegen) "against," and "say." Wiclif, Luk 21:15 : For I schal gyue to you mouth and wysdom, to whiche alle youre aduersaries schulen not mowe agenstonde, and agenseye." |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| As he hath been taught - Perhaps it might be more literally rendered, according to the teaching, or doctrine, of the apostles; alluding to Act 2:42. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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. |
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
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;
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;
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
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.
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
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;
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.