Titus 1:9
What does Titus 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Titus 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Titus 1:9 means
Beyond character, an overseer must hold firmly to the trustworthy word as taught. He must be anchored to the apostolic message, not novelty. This firm grip enables two ministries: encouraging believers with sound doctrine and refuting those who oppose it. Pastors must feed and protect, build up and guard. Orthodoxy is not cold correctness; it is the life-giving truth about Christ that strengthens the church. Yet truth also has edges: it confronts error for the flock’s safety. Leaders who cling to the faithful word can both comfort the teachable and correct the stubborn, keeping the church aligned with the gospel entrusted to the apostles.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Holding 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keeping to the true word of the teaching, so that he may be able to give comfort by right teaching and overcome the arguments of the doubters.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862holding--according to the teaching--to the stedfast word, that he may be able also to exhort in the sound teaching, and the gainsayers to convict;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince the gainsayers.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890clinging to the faithful word according to the doctrine taught, that he may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and refute gainsayers.
Context
This verse concludes the qualifications for elders by adding doctrinal fidelity and skill to exhort and correct. It serves as the hinge between the elder profile (vv. 6–9) and the problem of false teachers (vv. 10–16). The capacity to refute opponents will be immediately necessary, given the situation in Crete that Paul now describes.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 4:9
Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.
- 1 Timothy 1:19
holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:
- Jude 1:3
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
- 2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
- 1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
- Titus 1:11
whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
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