John Calvin Commentary Titus 1:9

"holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers." — Titus 1:9 (ASV)

Holding fast the faithful word. This is the chief gift in a bishop, who is elected principally for the sake of teaching, for the Church cannot be governed in any other way than by the word. “The faithful word” is the designation he gives to that doctrine which is pure and which has proceeded from the mouth of God.

He wishes that a bishop should hold it fast, so as not only to be well instructed in it but also to be constant in maintaining it. There are some fickle persons who easily allow themselves to be carried away to various kinds of doctrine, while others are cast down by fear or moved by any occurrence to forsake the defense of the truth. Paul therefore enjoins that those persons shall be chosen who, having cordially embraced the truth of God and holding it firmly, never allow it to be wrested from them or be torn from it. Indeed, nothing is more dangerous than that fickleness of which I have spoken, when a pastor does not steadfastly adhere to that doctrine of which he ought to be the unshaken defender. In short, in a pastor, not only learning is demanded but also such zeal for pure doctrine as never to depart from it.

But what is meant by according to instruction or doctrine? The meaning is that it is useful for the edification of the Church, for Paul is not accustomed to give the name of “doctrine” to anything that is learned and known without promoting any advancement of godliness. On the contrary, he condemns as vain and unprofitable all speculations that yield no advantage, however ingenious they may be in other respects.

Thus, “He that teacheth, let him do it in doctrine;” that is, let him labor to do good to the hearers (Romans 12:7). In short, what is required in a pastor is:

1. That he be well instructed in the knowledge of sound doctrine;
2. That, with unwavering firmness of courage, he hold to its confession to the last;
3. And that he make his manner of teaching tend to edification and not, through motives of ambition, chase after the subtleties of frivolous curiosity, but seek only the solid advantage of the Church.

That he may be able. The pastor ought to have two voices: one for gathering the sheep, and another for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both, for he who is deeply skilled in it will be able both to govern those who are teachable and to refute the enemies of the truth. Paul describes this twofold use of Scripture when he says, That he may be able to exhort and to convince adversaries.

From this, let us learn, first, what is the true knowledge of a bishop, and, next, to what purpose it ought to be applied. That bishop is truly wise who holds the right faith, and he makes a proper use of his knowledge when he applies it to the edification of the people.

This is remarkable commendation bestowed on the word of God, when it is pronounced to be sufficient not only for governing the teachable but also for subduing the obstinacy of enemies. Indeed, the power of truth revealed by the Lord is such that it easily vanquishes all falsehoods. Let the Popish bishops now go and boast of being the successors of the apostles, since the greater part of them are so ignorant of all doctrine as to consider ignorance no small part of their dignity.