This section has two verses:
Titus 1:8-9
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men,
sober, just, holy, temperate;
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.
In verse 7 we see what elders must not be. In these
two verses, we see what elders [and
ultimately all firstfruits] must be.
We will begin with the Barclay.
WHAT THE ELDERS MUST BE
[the verse paraphrased]:
Rather he must be hospitable, a lover of all good
things and all good people, prudent, just, pious,
self-controlled, with a strong grip on the truly
reliable message which Christian teaching gave to
him, that he may be well able to encourage the
members of the Church with health-giving teaching,
and to convict the opponents of the faith.
THE previous passage [verse 7] set out the things which the
elders of the Church must not be; this one [verses
8-9] sets out
what the elders must be. These necessary qualities
group themselves into three sections [sections
1 and 2 in verse 8 with section 3 in verse 9].
Following is the Barclay on verse 9.
(3) Finally, there comes a description of the
qualities of the Christian elders within the church.
They must be able to encourage the members of the
church. The navy has a rule which says that officers
shall not speak discouragingly to other officers in
the performance of their duties. There is always
something wrong with preaching or teaching whose
effect is to discourage others. The function of true
Christian preachers and teachers is not to drive
people to despair but to lift them up to hope.
They must be able to convict the opponents of the
faith. The Greek is elegchein and is a most
meaningful word. It means to rebuke people in such a
way that they are compelled to admit the error of
their ways. Trench says that it means ‘to rebuke
another, with such an effectual wielding of the
victorious arms of the truth, as to bring him, if
not always to a confession, yet at least to a
conviction of his sin’. The Athenian orator
Demosthenes said that it describes the situation in
which a man unanswerably demonstrates the truth of
the things that he has said. Aristotle said that it
means to prove that things cannot be otherwise than
as we have stated them. Christian rebuke means far
more than flinging angry and condemning words at
people. It means speaking in such a way that they
see the error of their ways and accept the truth.
~Barclay Commentary
Now to the other commentaries beginning with the
general and going to the specific.
First this from the Matthew Henry Main and we are
breaking into a long commentary covering verses
6-16.
As to doctrine,
(1.) Here is his duty: Holding fast the faithful
word, as he has been taught, keeping close to the
doctrine of Christ, the word of his grace, adhering
thereto according to the instructions he has
received - holding it fast in his own belief and
profession, and in teaching others. Observe,
[1.] The word of God, revealed in the scripture, is
a true and infallible word; the word of him that is
the amen, the true and faithful witness, and whose
Spirit guided the penmen of it. Holy men of God
spoke as they were moved by the Holy [Spirit].
[2.] Ministers must hold fast, and hold forth, the
faithful word in their teaching and life. I have
kept the faith, was Paul's comfort (2 Timothy 4:7),
and not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God;
there was his faithfulness, Acts 20:27.
Quoted verse:
Acts 20:27
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the
counsel of God.
(2.) Here is the end: That he may be able, by sound
doctrine, both to exhort, and to convince the
gainsayers, to persuade and draw others to the true
faith, and to convince the contrary-minded. How
should he do this if he himself were uncertain or
unsteady, not holding fast that faithful word and
sound doctrine which should be the matter of this
teaching, and the means and ground of convincing
those that oppose the truth? We see here summarily
the great work of the ministry - to exhort those who
are willing to know and do their duty, and to
convince those that contradict, both which are to be
done by sound doctrine, that is, in a rational
instructive way, by scripture-arguments and
testimonies, which are the infallible words of
truth, what all may and should rest and be satisfied
in and determined by. And thus of the qualifications
of the elders whom Titus was to ordain. ~Matthew
Henry Main
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise which covers verse
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. ~Matthew Henry Concise
Here is something from the Biblical Illustrator that
speaks to the main focus of verse 9, the Word of
God.
The faithful Word
I. The word of god is a faithful word, and
infallible.
1. The author is holy and true (Revelation 3:7;
Revelation 3:14).
Quoted verses:
Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write; These things saith he that is holy, he that
is true, he that hath the key of David, he that
openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no
man openeth;
Revelation 3:14
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans
write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and
true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
2. The instruments were led by the immediate
direction of the Holy Ghost [Spirit] (2
Peter1:21).
Quoted verse
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of
man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost [Spirit].
3. The matter of this Word is an everlasting truth;
the law an eternal rule of righteousness as ancient
as God Himself; the gospel an everlasting gospel,
containing promises of eternal truth, etc.
4. The form of it, which is the conformity of it
with God Himself, maketh it appear that if God be
faithful this His Word must needs also be so; in
that it resembleth Him in His omnipotency, for this
power and arm of God never returneth in vain but
doth all the work of it. In His wisdom giving most
perfect and sure directions, resolving all doubtful
eases, and making wise unto salvation. In His purity
and perfection being an undefiled and perfect law.
In His omniscience it searcheth the heart,
discovereth the thoughts, divideth between the
marrow and bone (Hebrews 4:12). In His judgment
acquitting believers, to whom it is a sweet savour
of life to life; condemning infidels both here and
much more at the last day (John 12:48). In His truth
and verity as here, and Colossians 1:5, it is called
the word of truth.
Quoted verses:
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and
sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to
the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.
John 12:48
He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words,
hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have
spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Colossians 1:5
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,
whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of
the gospel;
5. The ends shew the certainty and faithfulness of
it, it being the only means of regeneration (1 Peter
1:21), of begetting faith, (Romans 10:1-21), and,
consequently, both of freeing men from hell and of
assuring them of that freedom; the only word that
can supply sound and firm consolation, yea settled
and assured comfort unto distressed consciences,
none of which ends could it ever attain if itself
were unsound and uncertain.
Quoted verses:
1 Peter 1:21
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up
from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith
and hope might be in God.
Romans 10:1-21
Read and study this one as you have time.
II. Now as it carrieth with it all these grounds, so
are there a number without it more whereby we may
confirm the same truth, as
1. It is the foundation of the Church (Ephesians
2:20), against which if hell gates could ever
prevail the Church were utterly sunk.
Quoted verse:
Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone;
2. Hereunto hath the Lord tied His Church, as to an
infallible direction, to the law, and to the
testimony, without which there is nothing but error
and wandering; ye err not knowing the Scriptures.
3. This truth hath been above all other oppugned by
Satan, heretics, tyrants, yet never a whir of it was
ever diminished; Solomon’s books may be lost, but
not these of the true Solomon, Jesus Christ.
4. This Word hath been so certainly sealed in the
hearts of the elect of all ages that where it once
was harboured in truth it could never be shaken out
by any kind of most exquisite torture and torment.
~Biblical Illustrator
Here is another piece I found in the Biblical
Illustrator.
Sound doctrine and faithful exhortation
1. In that the Word is called doctrine, and no
doctrine is without a teacher; it behoveth every man
to repair to the teachers of it.
2. As this doctrine implieth teachers, so doth it
also learners and scholars. Teaching us that we must
all of us become learners of this Word and doctrine,
for so long as there is doctrine and teaching on
God’s part so must there be an hearkening and
learning on ours, and the rather, both because that
which is said of all knowledge, that it is infinite,
is much more true of this, for God’s commandments
are exceeding large, as also seeing in this school
we are to become not only more learned but better
men.
3. In that the apostle calleth that here wholesome
doctrine, which in the words before he called a
faithful Word, and fitted for doctrine. Note that
the men of God, when they fell into speech of the
Word of God, they spoke not slightly of it and away,
but were hardly drawn from it without leaving behind
them some notable eulogy or other upon it (Romans
1:16): the gospel the power of God to salvation
(John 6:68). Peter saith not, Master, Thou hast the
word of God, but Thou hast the words of eternal
life; and what a number of glorious things are
ascribed unto it (Hebrews 4:12--quoted above).
Hence according to their several occasions are all
those excellent epithets ascribed unto it through
the Scriptures, some of the penmen looking at the
author, some at the matter, some to the qualities,
some to the effects, and accordingly invest it with
titles well beseeming it.
Quoted verses:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
John 6:68
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall
we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
4. Whereas the apostle is not contented that the
minister should teach but exhort also; it teacheth
ministers to labour for this gift whereby an edge is
set upon their doctrine, and wherewith as with a
goad they prick on the affections of those that are
under the yoke of Christ. A difficult thing it is,
for teaching is an easy task in comparison of it,
and yet so necessary as that all the ministerial
work is called by this name (Acts 13:15).
5. Whereas the apostle addeth that exhortation must
go with wholesome doctrine, we note that then is
exhortation powerful and profitable, when it is
firmly grounded upon sound and wholesome doctrine.
~Biblical Illustrator
Now to the specific commentaries.
Different commentaries break this verse into varying
parts, so I will go with Barnes Notes.
1] Holding fast the faithful word.
2] As he hath been taught
3] That he may be able by sound doctrine.
4] Both to exhort and to convince.
5] The gainsayers.
1] Holding fast
the faithful word.
Holding fast — Holding firmly to. ~Jamieson,
Fausset, Brown
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.
~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the
traditions which ye have been taught, whether by
word, or our epistle.
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. ~Adam Clarke
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
[pyoo-suh-luh-nim-i-tee]
[cowardliness]
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 2 Timothy 1:13.
~John Gill
Quoted verse
2 Timothy 1:13 [see
Lesson]
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ
Jesus.
2] As he hath
been taught.
Word as he has been taught — literally, “the word
(which is) according to the teaching” which he has
received. ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
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. ~ Barnes Notes
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:
~John Gill
3] That he may
be able by sound doctrine.
That he may be able by sound doctrine - By sound
teaching, or instruction; Notes, 1 Timothy 1:10; 1
Timothy 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 2 Timothy 2:25. ~Barnes
Notes
Quoted verses:
1 Timothy 1:10 [see
Lesson]
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;
1 Timothy 4:16 [see
Lesson]
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.
2 Timothy 2:25 [see
Lesson]
In meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves; if God peradventure will give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
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. ~Adam Clarke
4] Both to
exhort and to convince.
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. ~Barnes Notes
To exhort - Them to hold the faith, that they may
persevere. ~Adam Clarke
And to convince - Refute the objections, confound
the sophistry [false arguments], and convert
the gainsayers; and thus defend the truth. ~Adam
Clarke
5] The
gainsayers.
The gainsayers - Opposers Literally, those who speak
against; that is, against the truth; Notes, Romans
10:21. ~Barnes Notes
Quoted verse:
Romans 10:21
But to Israel he saith, All day long I have
stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and
gainsaying people.
So hold fast the faithful Word of God. This is the
lesson of verse 9.
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