Keraia
Titus 1

Titus 1:9

Appointing Elders on Crete · Titus 1:5–9
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Translations

Modern
He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…holding to the faithful word according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound teaching and to convict those contradicting it.
Latin
…amplectentem eum, qui secundum doctrinam est, fidelem sermonem: ut potens sit exhortari in doctrina sana, et eos qui contradicunt, arguere.

Original

Greek
English
He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

Notes

Titus 1:9

  • The elders had a leading role in teaching the community. This may have been necessary in dealing with the immediate threat to these particular communities (as also in Ephesus; see 1 Timothy 3:1).

  • Only with a strong belief in the good news would an elder be able to provide sound teaching. Paul’s specific concerns are addressed in Titus 2:1–3:11, considering the problems mentioned in 1:10–16 and 3:9–11 (see also 1 Timothy 1:10).

  • Titus had a similar role (compare Titus 1:13; 2:15; 3:10–11). The local leadership would continue the work Paul and his delegates started.

  • Those who oppose it are described in 1:10–16.

Titus 1:5–9

  • Titus was instructed to appoint leaders in order to complete what was unfinished—that is, to establish the church (compare 1 Timothy 3:1–13). Deacons are not mentioned, possibly because these were new, small churches.

  • These leadership qualities might be an accommodation to the newness of these converts and the roughness of their culture. It is assumed that the elders will be male (see 1 Timothy 3:4–5).

Titus 1:5–16

Strong, faithful leadership was needed in the churches of Crete to address the danger of false teachers (1:10–16). This part of Titus’s task coincides with the larger concern of the letter: to shape a community that bears witness to Christ by embodying God’s grace in its conduct. Compare 1 Timothy 3:1–7.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Church Leaders

Parallels

1 Timothy 3:1–7 1 Peter 5:1–4

Glossary

Bishop Titus, Letter to

Topics

Being a Good Steward Bishop: (An Overseer, a Supervisor) Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Decision: General Scriptures Concerning Defending Our Faith Doctrine Elder in the Christian Church Elders in the Church Male Leadership Ministers are Bound to Convince Gainsayers Ministers are Bound to Exhort Perseverance: General Scriptures Concerning Qualifications of Elders Sound Doctrine Steadfastness: Ministers: Exhorted To The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Hold Steadfastly