Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
9. holding fast the faithful word ] Or, the faithful saying, keeping the connexion with the technical phrase of these Epistles, 1Ti 1:15. ‘Though no one “faithful saying” is quoted, yet it may be used comprehensively of them all, and is here guaranteed by “the teaching” of the Apostle himself.’ Dr Reynolds.
as he hath been taught ] The grammar requires, as R.V., which is according to the teaching. The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles is the title of a newly discovered manuscript of very early days placed by Bp Lightfoot ‘somewhere between a.d. 80 110.’ But its title is not intended to suggest its authorship. We may accept it as the private venture of someone who desires to set forth his views on moral conduct and Church order, believing them to represent the mind of the Apostles. See Introduction, pp. 22, 23. Similarly then ‘the teaching’ here meant is the oral Gospel and Instruction of St Paul.
able by sound doctrine both to exhort ] Accurately with R.V. (the position of the verb in the clause being noted) able both to exhort in the sound doctrine. ‘Exhort’ has nothing to do with ‘gainsayers’ but refers to the building up by exhortation and comfort of believers. Compare 1Ti 5:1, where see note. The ‘Pastoral’ phrase ‘the sound doctrine’ is examined 1Ti 5:10, where ‘the doctrine’ is seen to be the equivalent English word, as it is passing into technical use. Didach on the other hand remains untechnical, ‘teaching.’
and to convince the gainsayers ] R.V. convict. See note 1Ti 5:20.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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, 2Th 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, 1Ti 1:10; 1Ti 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 2Ti 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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Holding fast the faithful word] Conscientiously retaining, and zealously maintaining, the true Christian doctrine, , 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught; no airy, uncertain man, that is of that opinion which his company is of, or his age favours, but holding steady the word of faith, as he hath learned it from me, and the rest of the apostles.
That he may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort, his work is to persuade others to the faith,
and to convince the gainsayers; by sound arguments to convince those that speak contrary to it; and if he himself be ignorant of, or uncertain, as to that, how can he ever discharge this employment?
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. Holding fastHolding firmlyto (compare Mat 6:24; Luk 16:13).
the faithfultrue andtrustworthy (1Ti 1:15).
word as he has beentaughtliterally, “the word (which is) according to theteaching” which he has received (compare 1Ti4:6, end; 2Ti 3:14).
byTranslate as Greek,“to exhort in doctrine (instruction) which issound”; sound doctrine or instruction is theelement IN which hisexhorting is to have place . . . On “sound”(peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles), see 1Ti 1:10;1Ti 6:3.
convincerather,”reprove” [ALFORD],(Tit 1:13).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 pusillanimity concerning it; whatever temptations there may be to the contrary, through popular applause on the one hand, and reproaches and persecutions on the other; and though there may be many that may endeavour to wring it out of his hands; see 2Ti 1:13,
as he hath been taught; or “according to doctrine”: that is, according to the doctrine of the Scriptures, Christ, and his apostles; according to the doctrine that lies in the Scriptures that was delivered by Christ, and preached by his apostles; whatever is according to that should be held fast:
[or] which is for doctrine, which tends to teach, instruct, and edify the minds of men, that ought to be constantly abode by: or as the elder himself has been taught, not by men, in a theoretical way, as logic, rhetoric, and other arts and sciences are taught; for such who are only taught the faithful word in this way, are not likely to hold it fast, in a time of temptation; but as he has been taught it experimentally by the Spirit of God; and such an one, who has not only the knowledge of it in his head, but the experience of it in his heart, will hold it, and hold it fast against all opposition:
that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers; sound doctrine is the faithful word, the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which being retained, qualify an elder to discharge the following branches of his office; to “exhort” the members of churches to their duty, according to their age, sex, state, and condition, as in chapter 2 to which the doctrines of grace influence and engage; or to comfort them, as the word also signifies, and the Alexandrian copy reads, “to comfort them in all tribulation”; and this is one considerable part of the elder’s work, to comfort souls under affliction, whether of body or mind; and sound doctrines, or the doctrines of the Gospel, are wonderfully suited to such a purpose: and the other part of his work is, “to convince gainsayers”; such who resist the truth, oppose themselves to it, cavil at it, and object against it; these are to be refitted, and convinced by the Scriptures, and arguments taken from them, as the Jews were by Apollos, Ac 18:28 and nothing is so powerful to do it as sound doctrine, and holding fast the faithful word.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Holding to (). Present middle participle of , old verb, to hold back, in middle to hold oneself face to face with, to cling to, as in 1Th 5:14.
The faithful word ( ). See 1Tim 1:15; 1Tim 6:3; Rom 16:17. Some would see a reference here to Christ as the Personal Logos.
That he may be able ( ). Final clause with present active subjunctive. Paul several times uses in the sense of , with infinitive as here (Rom 4:21; Rom 11:23; 2Tim 1:12).
The gainsayers ( ). Present active participle of , old word, to answer back, as in Ro 10:21. “The talkers back.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Holding fast [] . Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 1Th 5:14 (note).
The faithful word [ ] . The trustworthy, reliable word. Comp. 1Ti 1:15 (note).
As he hath been taught [ ] . Lit. according to the teaching. Const. with word. Agreeing with the apostolic teaching. For didach teaching see on 2Ti 4:2.
May be able by sound doctrine both to exhort [ ] . Rend. “may be able both to exhort in the sound teaching.” For dunatov able or powerful, see on 2Ti 1:12. Used by Paul in the phrase eij dunaton if it be possible, Rom 12:18; Gal 4:15 : to dunaton that which is possible, Rom 9:22 : of God, Rom 4:21; Rom 11:23 : of men, in the ethical sense, Rom 14:1; 2Co 12:10; 2Co 13:9.
Convince [] . Better, convict. See on Joh 3:20, and ejlegmon, 2Ti 3:16.
The gainsayers [ ] . In Pastorals only here and chapter Tit 2:9. Once in Paul, Rom 10:21, cit. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Glainsay, Angl. Sax. gegn (Germ. gegen) “against,” and;; say. “Wiclif, Luk 21:15 : For I schalgyue to you mouth and wisdom, to whiche alle youre aduersaries schulen not mowe agenstonde, and agenseye.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Holding fast the faithful word.” (antechomenon tou kata ten didachen pistou logou) “Upholding the word of (the) faithful,” (Jesus Christ). Emotionally, morally, and doctrinally-unstable-men are not quality material for the office of the bishop. They must know the Word and live by it.
2) “As he hath been taught.” (kata ten didachen) “According to the teaching.” This certifies that the bishop must have been taught the Word of God.
3) “That he may be able by sound doctrine.” (hina dunatos he kai en te didaskalia te hupiainouse) “in order that he may be able even by healthy teaching” 1Pe 3:15.
4) “Both to exhort and to convince the gain-sayers. (parakalein kai tous) “Both to exhort or compassionately call alongside the ones” (kai antilegontas elegchein) “And to convince with evidentiary reasoning those posing contradictory objections to the doctrines presented.” 2Ti 2:15. Some may be turned from unsound doctrine by mere exhortation while others may be rescued only by strong reasoning with valid testimony.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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 that fickleness of which I have spoken, when a pastor does not stedfastly adhere to that doctrine of which he ought to be the unshaken defender. In short, in a pastor there is demanded not only learning, but such zeal for pure doctrine as never to depart from it.
But what is meant by according to instruction or doctrine? (223) The meaning is, that it is useful for the edification of the Church; for Paul is not wont to give the name of “doctrine” to anything that is learned and known without promoting any advancement of godliness; but, on the contrary, he condemns as vain and unprofitable all the speculations which yield no advantage, however ingenious they may be in other respects. Thus, “He that teacheth, let him do it in doctrine;” that is, let him labor to do good to the hearers. (Rom 12:7.) In short, the first thing required in a pastor is, that he be well instructed in the knowledge of sound doctrine; the second is, that, with unwavering firmness of courage, he hold by the confession of it to the last; and the third is, that he make his manner of teaching tend to edification, and do not, through motives of ambition, fly about through the subtleties of frivolous curiosity, but seek only the solid advantage of the Church.
That he may be able The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both; for he who is deeply skilled in it will be able both to govern those who are teachable, and to refute the enemies of the truth. This twofold use of Scripture Paul describes when he says, That he may be able to exhort and to convince adversaries And hence let us learn, first, what is the true knowledge of a bishop, and, next, to what purpose it ought to be applied. That bishop is truly wise, who holds the right faith; and he makes a proper use of his knowledge, when he applies it to the edification of the people.
This is remarkable applause bestowed on the word of God, when it is pronounced to be sufficient, not only for governing the teachable, but for subduing the obstinacy of enemies. And, indeed, the power of truth revealed by the Lord is such that it easily vanquishes all falsehoods. Let the Popish bishops now go and boast of being the successors of the apostles, seeing that the greater part of them are so ignorant of all doctrine, as to reckon ignorance to be no small part of their dignity.
(223) “ Selon instruction ou doctrine.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught.More literally, according to the teaching; but the English version gives the sense clearly and exactly. The elder must, St. Paul says, hold fast the faithful word or saying; or, in other words, must steadily adhere to that Christian doctrine taught by St. Paul and his brother Apostles. So St. Paul pressed on Timothy, the chief presbyter of Ephesus, to hold the pattern of sound words which thou heardest from me (2Ti. 1:13); and again, But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them (2Ti. 3:14). Here the faithful saying, that formulary so common in the Epistles to Timothy and to Titus, and which we have generally explained as including the great Christian watchwords of the faith, echoes probably of sayings of Christ, taken up and expanded by His chosen servants, and then adopted in the various churches and woven into the tapestry of the earliest liturgiesnow, possibly, after a form like the comfortable words of our Communion Service, now into a creed, now into a hymn, but in one shape or other thoroughly well known and loved in the different congregationshere the faithful word or saying seems to include all the faithful sayings, and denotes generally the teaching of St. Paul and the Apostles.
To exhort and to convince the gainsayers.Two special purposes are specified for which the sound doctrine which the elder will acquire by steadfast application may be used. The first, with the sound, healthy teachingsound, healthy, practical, compared with that sickly, morbid, and unpractical teaching of those gainsayers of whom he is going to speakhe is to exhort the adversaries; secondly, with the same true words he is to confute their arguments. Chrysostom well remarks that he who knows not how to contend with adversaries, and is not able to demolish their arguments, is far from the teachers chair.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Holding fast Passing from his moral qualities to his doctrinal firmness and abilities.
Faithful word Comp. 1Ti 1:15.
Taught From Christ through his apostles.
Able The elder must be a sound theologian, and a competent public defender of truth and corrector of error. The elder is thus the spokesman and preacher of his Church.
Exhort Encourage believers, inquirers, and all willing auditors.
Convince Refute, and produce conviction if possible.
Gainsayers Contradictors, whether in the Church or in the circle of listeners and attendants upon the congregation. As possessor of the truth of Christ, he was to judge, refute, and condemn all opposing heresy.
Counter Portraiture of the Cretan Errorists, 10-16, 10. Ample are the reasons for such ability, for opposers are many.
Unruly Repudiating the apostolic authority and doctrine, and setting up their own invented dogmas.
Vain talkers Utterers of the vain jangling of 1Ti 1:6, where see note.
Deceivers Mind-deluders, who cheat men’s brains with fancy dogmas.
Circumcision Here, as at Ephesus, the main errorists were Jews. See note on 1Ti 1:4.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.’
But above all he must hold to the faithful and true word which is in accordance with true Christian teaching, so that when he exhorts it is with sound doctrine, and in a way that convicts those who speak against him. He must be ‘apt to teach’ (1Ti 3:2). Note that Paul dose not just dismiss the false teachers. The hope is to win them back to the truth. It is only when they prove to be completely obstinate that he ‘commits them to Satan’ (1Ti 1:20).
‘According to the teaching.’ This may indicate the standard oral teaching passed on from one church to another from the main churches, but more likely it cover written records of that teaching which were being circulated.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Tit 1:9 . To these requisites, somewhat general in nature, Paul adds another with special bearing on the official duties of a bishop: ] The exposition given by most of the compound idea is inaccurate and confused. Heydenreich divides the expression into two parts: (1) , “the true doctrine of the gospel;” and (2) , “the doctrine in which the bishop is instructed,” and gives the following translation: “holding firmly, as instructed, by the word which is certain (to reliable doctrine).” But manifestly this translation arbitrarily inverts the meaning. The words are not dependent on , but on , defined by , so that . . . . is equivalent to , . does not occur elsewhere in our epistles, but there is no doubt that Paul means thereby the pure, wholesome word ( , 1Ti 6:3 ; , 1Ti 4:6 ) of the gospel, in contrast to the false doctrine of the heretics. He uses the epithet because it is not treacherous, it can be relied on: “ the sure, reliable word .” This sure word is defined more precisely by ] is not active (Luther: “that which can teach”), but means, as it often does in the N. T., “ doctrine .” Here it denotes “the Christian doctrine,” which is none other than that preached by Christ Himself and by His apostles; so Matthies, Wiesinger, Plitt, Hofmann. It is less appropriate to explain to be “the instruction imparted” (so van Oosterzee, and formerly in this commentary); comp. 1Ti 4:6 ; 2Th 2:15 .
(in Mat 6:24 , synonymous with , opposed to ; used in a similar sense, 1Th 5:14 ) occurs often in Polybius (see Raphelius on the passage) in the sense of: adhaerere, studiosum esse ( ). Here, too, it has this meaning, as in Phi 2:16 : ; 2Th 2:15 : , “ adhere to .” Luther: “he holds by the word.”
Heydenreich rightly remarks that this does not indicate the zeal the teacher was to show in speaking of divine doctrine, but his own internal adherence, etc.
. . .] This adherence to the word is necessary for the bishop that he may discharge the duties of his office. It is further defined more precisely in two ways: : “both and.” The first is: , which refers to believers. ] encourage, exhort ; viz. to remain in the way on which they have entered, and to advance ever further in it, being here instrumental: “through, by means of.” Matthies is incorrect: “to edify in sound doctrine;” comp. 1Th 4:18 .
. .] see 1Ti 1:10 .
The second is: ] “By correction and reproof to refute those who contradict” (viz. the pure doctrine of the gospel), by which are meant the heretics.
Even in classic Greek, the two conceptions “refute” and “reprove” are sometimes combined in ; see Pape, s.v.
This verse leads on to further description of the heretics.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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.
Ver. 9. Holding fast, &c. ] . As with tooth and nail, against those gainsayers that would snatch it from us.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Tit 1:9 . : holding firmly to . is stronger than , as used in a similar connexion, 1Ti 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.).
: See note on 2Ti 2:2 .
: the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching . It is indicative of the weakening of the phrase that St. Paul strengthens and defines it here by . It was noted on 1Ti 1:15 that here means the totality of the revelation given in Christ; and is to be taken passively, as equivalent to , 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.
: Cf. 2Ti 4:2 for this combination. The shepherd must be able to tend the sheep, and to drive away wolves.
: See on 1Ti 1:10 . 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.
: It is only a coincidence that where this word occurs in Acts it is in reference to Jewish opponents of the Gospel.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Holding fast, Greek. antechomai, Elsewhere, Mat 6:24. Luk 16:13, 1Th 5:11.
as. taught = according to (App-104.) the teaching (didache, occurs thirty times, always “doctrine” except here),
able, Greek. dunatos, Compare App-172.
by, Greek. en. App-104.
sound doctrine. See 1Ti 1:10, and ep. 2Ti 1:13.
doctrine. Greek. didaskalia. Occurs twenty-one times, always doctrine, save Rom 12:7 (teaching); Tit 15:4 (learning).
exhort. App-134. Read, “exhort (the believers)”.
convince = convict. Greek. elenche. See Tit 1:13, and first occ, Mat 18:15.
gainsayers = the contradicters. Occurs ten times. See first occurance: Luk 2:34.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Tit 1:9. ) one who will hold fast, defend, zealously urge. By this word the LXX. mostly translate the Hebrew verb .-) [Engl. Vers. the word as he has been taught], the word appertaining to doctrine.-, firm, sure [lit. to be relied on], from which exhortation and power to convict (, ) receive their strength.–) both-and.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Tit 1:9
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching,-Gods truth is better expressed in the words which the Holy Spirit chooses than in those of mans choosing. While we, in our languages, have not the words used by the Holy Spirit, still we have those in our languages into which they have been translated to give the truth, and we should be careful to hold fast to the faithful words God has given us, that by these words of God we may be able to encourage to the belief and practice of the same sound doctrine.
that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.-With the sound, healthful teaching he was to exhort the adversaries; and with the same true words he was to confute their arguments.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Holding: Job 2:3, Job 27:6, Pro 23:23, 1Th 5:21, 2Th 2:15, 2Ti 1:13, Jud 1:3, Rev 2:25, Rev 3:3, Rev 3:11
fast: 1Ti 1:15, 1Ti 4:9, 1Ti 6:3, 2Ti 2:2
as he hath been taught: or, in teaching
sound: Tit 2:1, Tit 2:7, Tit 2:8, 1Ti 1:10, 1Ti 6:3, 2Ti 4:3
to convince: Tit 1:11, Act 18:28, 1Co 14:24, 2Ti 2:25
Reciprocal: Lev 15:8 – General Pro 4:2 – good Eze 44:23 – General Hag 2:11 – General Mat 13:47 – and gathered Mat 13:52 – scribe Mar 12:34 – And no Act 26:25 – words 1Co 3:12 – wood 1Co 14:3 – exhortation 1Ti 1:3 – charge 1Ti 1:19 – Holding 1Ti 4:16 – continue 1Ti 6:20 – keep 2Ti 2:24 – apt Tit 3:8 – a faithful
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Tit 1:9. This verse should be considered as an explanation of the phrase “apt to teach” in 1Ti 3:2, in that it shows how apt or able a man is as a teacher. Holding fast means he holds to the faithful (truthful) Word. The elder is not an inspired man, but he hath been taught what is the truth by those who are inspired. Sound doctrine literally means wholesome teaching; and when used of spiritual matters, it denotes the kind that will result in spiritual health. When a disordered condition comes or threatens to come into a human body, a treatment must be used that will counteract the threatened disease. Likewise, an elder must have the ability to exhort those who are threatening the spiritual health of the body. Then if exhortation does not stop them, he must use a stronger remedy, namely, convince them. That word is from ELEGCHO, which Thayer defines, “To convict, refute, confute.” Elders are required to be able to convict and expose false teachers, called here the gainsayers.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Tit 1:9. So far of character: now of doctrine. The elder is to be one who(12) holds fast by the word, or doctrine, which agrees with the teaching of the apostles, as a word worthy of credit (so faithful means). The necessity for this qualification lies in another department of the presbyterial office. The elder has first to exhort (address for edification) the congregation of believers in that instruction, which being wholesome (sound, another word of the Pastoral Epistles), tends to holiness, and next to convict or confute the opponents. This leads Paul to describe the Cretan errorists, whose teaching, instead of nourishing a healthy piety, fostered morbid and even immoral tendencies.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Holding Fast The Truth
Paul describes the specific false teachers of whom he is speaking in Tit 1:10 . They were rebellious. They spoke empty words intended to deceive ( 2Pe 2:18 ). This was particularly true of those who taught the necessity of circumcision for those in Christ. Such teachers had often created problems for Paul. Titus would have been well aware of the problem ( Gal 2:1-5 ; Gal 2:11-16 ). If one could have been justified by the law of Moses, there would have been no need for the death of Christ. However, none could live perfectly. The law had no sacrifice that could remove sin, so Christ had to die for us ( Heb 10:1-10 ). Our freedom, then, is in Christ, not Moses’ law ( Gal 5:1-6 ).
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Verse 9
The faithful word; the word worthy of faith; that is, truths well established and sure.–Sound doctrine; sound instruction.–Gainsayers; opposers.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
1:9 {8} Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, {9} that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
(8) The third admonition: the pastor must hold fast that doctrine which the apostles delivered, and pertains to salvation, leaving behind all curious and vain matters.
(9) The fourth admonition: to apply the knowledge of true doctrine to use, which consists in two things, that is, in governing those who show themselves able to learn, and confuting the obstinate.