Titus 1:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

NIV: He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

NASB: holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

CSB: holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

NLT: He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

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.

NKJV: holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

This is final verse listing qualifications for local church elders. The first requirement in verse 9 is "holding firm" to truth, as taught in the Word of God. One key distinction of an elder is the ability to persist in correct interpretation of God's truth. This was demanded of Jewish religious leaders (Ezra 7:10), and remained a key expectation of New Testament elders. Second Timothy 2:22 echoes this idea, explaining the need to find faithful men who are able to teach others the truth.

An elder must hold firm for two reasons. First, an elder must be able to teach God's truth, which requires a stable understanding of spiritual things. This is both a spiritual gift (Romans 12:7) and a skill which has to be developed (2 Timothy 2:15). Second, an elder must stand firm in order to counter those who contradict the truth. Titus faced many false teachings. He and the chosen elders had to be ready to stand against false teachings while promoting "sound doctrine," or healthy teachings, to those under their care. Standing firm requires both a solid offense and defense in communicating God's truth.

Titus 1:5–9 explains the requirements of those who lead a church. Elders and pastors must meet these criteria in order to serve in those roles. Paul lists issues such as moral character, control over their family, and an ability to teach the truth. Paul gives a similar, equally important list in 1 Timothy 3:1–7. Also crucial is the ability to confront and correct those who teach false doctrines.

Chapter 1 introduces the letter from Paul to Titus. Paul describes the requirements for being appointed a church leader, such as an elder or pastor. The text then transitions into a description of how to “rebuke” false teachers. These are the requirements Paul expects Titus to follow when selecting leaders for the local churches of Crete.

Chapter 1 focuses on the character traits of a church leader, contrasted to the immoral culture of Crete. Specific instructions are given for elders, and a means for dealing with false teachers. Chapter 2 explains the ideal traits of church members, especially in their acts towards each other. Chapter 3 will focus on the relationship between Christians and their surrounding culture.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul, to a Christian leader on the island of Crete. This is one of Paul’s three Pastoral Epistles, where he offers instructions to younger believers caring for large groups of others. Paul uses the book of Titus to emphasize the importance of selecting church elders carefully. Many of the topics discussed in Titus are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. Though the details of this message are specifically for Titus, and the believers of Crete, they offer insight useful for churches today.