Notes: Titus 1:9

holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.  (Titus 1:9)

The word that a pastor speaks must be the same as that which was handed to mankind.  He should not add to or take away from the Word.  This faithfulness to the Word yields two great benefits.

First, his teachings will be well grounded.  He will be able to build up, to exhort, because his teaching sits firmly on the foundation of the Word.

Secondly, sound doctrine is the best defense against those who desire to reject the Word of God.  If a pastor’s doctrine is questionable, his defense of his beliefs and his teachings will also be questionable.  But a pastor whose doctrine is founded on the word has nothing to fear and is able to firmly confront false teachers.

Notice that Paul doesn’t say “if you have to refute”.  Paul assumes that every pastor will be faced with those who will contradict the word.

With that in mind, we can look back over the previously listed criteria and see that a pastor can argue over serious issues, yet not sin.  He can get angry, and not sin.  He can remove the non-good from fellowship, and not sin.  As steward of the church, he is responsible for its growth and its protection.

Tags: doctrine, refute