Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to refute the opposition.
All Commentaries on Titus 1:9 Go To Titus 1
Jerome
AD 420
To Titus he gives commandment that among a bishop’s other virtues [which he briefly describes] he should be careful to seek a knowledge of the Scriptures. A bishop, he says, must hold fast “the faithful word as he has been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” In fact, want of education in a clergyman prevents him from doing good to any one but himself. Even if the virtue of his life may build up Christ’s church, he does it an injury as great by failing to resist those who are trying to pull it down.
