SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:9
retenedor de la doctrina conforma a la fiel palabra, para que tambin pueda exhortar con sana doctrina, y convencer a los que contradicen.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Titus 1:9
Verse 9. Holding fast the faithful word] Conscientiously retaining, and zealously maintaining, the true Christian doctrine, kata thn didachn, 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. Holding fast the faithful word , etc.] 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 2 Timothy 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, ( Acts 18:28) and nothing is so powerful to do it as sound doctrine, and holding fast the faithful word.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-9 - The character and qualification of pastors, here called elders an bishops, agree with what the apostle wrote to Timothy. Being suc bishops and overseers of the flock, to be examples to them, and God' stewards to take care of the affairs of his household, there is grea 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 her are described the spirit and practice becoming such as should be examples of good works.
Greek Textus Receptus
αντεχομενον 472 5740 του 3588 κατα 2596 την 3588 διδαχην 1322 πιστου 4103 λογου 3056 ινα 2443 δυνατος 1415 η 5600 5753 και 2532 παρακαλειν 3870 5721 εν 1722 τη 3588 διδασκαλια 1319 τη 3588 υγιαινουση 5198 5723 και 2532 τους 3588 αντιλεγοντας 483 5723 ελεγχειν 1651 5721
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. Holding fast (antecomenon). Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 1 Thessalonians v. 14 (note).
The faithful word (tou pistou logou). The trustworthy, reliable word. Comp. 1 Tim. i. 15 (note).
As he hath been taught (kata thn didachn). Lit. according to the teaching. Const. with word. Agreeing with the apostolic teaching. For didach teaching see on 2 Tim. iv. 2.
May be able by sound doctrine both to exhort (dunatov h kai parakalein en th didaskalia th ugiainoush). Rend. "may be able both to exhort in the sound teaching." For dunatov able or powerful, see on 2 Tim. i. 12. Used by Paul in the phrase eij dunaton if it be possible, Rom. xii. 18; Gal. iv. 15: to dunaton that which is possible, Rom. ix. 22: of God, Rom. iv. 21; xi. 23: of men, in the ethical sense, Rom. xv. 1; 2 Cor. xii. 10; xiii. 9.
Convince (elegcein). Better, convict. See on John iii. 20, and ejlegmon, 2 Timothy iii. 16.
The gainsayers (touv antilegontav). In Pastorals only here and chapter ii. 9. Once in Paul, Rom. x. 21, cit. Mostly in Luke and Acts. Glainsay, Angl. Sax. gegn (Germ. gegen) "against," and;; say." Wiclif, Luke xxi. 15: For I schalgyue to you mouth and wisdom, to whiche alle youre aduersaries schulen not mowe agenstonde, and agenseye."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:9 {Holding to} (antechomenon). Present middle participle of antecw, 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} (tou pistou logou). See #1Ti 1:15; 6:3; Ro 16:17. Some would see a reference here to Christ as the Personal logos. {That he may be able} (hina dunatos ei). Final clause with present active subjunctive. Paul several times uses dunatos eimi in the sense of dunamai, with infinitive as here (#Ro 4:21; 11:23; 2Ti 1:12). {The gainsayers} (tous antilegontas). Present active participle of antilegw, old word, to answer back, as in #Ro 10:21. "The talkers back."
