Part 5: Grounded in Truth, Guarding the Flock
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
—Titus 1:9 (ESV)
Shepherds Feed and Protect
The elder’s calling is not merely to lead meetings or manage ministries. He is a shepherd—and the two primary tasks of a shepherd are to feed the sheep and protect them from wolves. Titus 1:9 places both responsibilities side by side:
• Hold fast the trustworthy word.
• Teach sound doctrine.
• Rebuke those who contradict it.
These duties are inseparable. A faithful elder does not teach truth abstractly—he teaches it with clarity, urgency, and pastoral application, always with an eye toward protecting the flock from error.
Holding Firm to the Word
Paul says an elder must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught. This is a call to doctrinal fidelity. He must not twist, dilute, or depart from the apostolic gospel once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). He doesn’t follow trends or adjust his theology to fit the times.
To hold firm means:
• He is anchored in Scripture, not pragmatism.
• He knows the difference between primary truths and secondary opinions.
• He resists compromise, even when costly.
This is a man who has been tested in doctrine and has shown himself to be steadfast, not just in knowledge but in conviction.
Able to Teach Sound Doctrine
An elder not only believes the truth—he can instruct others in it. Sound doctrine isn’t stale—it is life-giving, nourishing the church and strengthening the saints. An elder must know how to unfold the truths of the gospel in a way that builds up the body in love and maturity (Eph. 4:12–16).
But this isn’t just about intellectual ability. It’s about faithful, gospel-centered shepherding:
• Can he explain justification by faith alone?
• Can he show how Scripture holds together in Christ?
• Can he disciple others through difficult theological issues?
• Can he counsel from Scripture, not psychology or speculation?
A doctrinally vague elder is a dangerous elder. The sheep need clarity, not confusion.
Rebuking Those Who Contradict
The final charge in this verse is often the most neglected: “and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
A godly elder must be willing to call out false teaching—not with pride, but with pastoral courage. This includes:
• Correcting those who spread error within the church.
• Guarding the pulpit from unsound voices.
• Naming dangerous teachers when necessary, as Paul did with Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1:20).
Silence in the face of false doctrine is not humility—it is cowardice. And it leaves the sheep vulnerable to harm.
This kind of rebuke must always be done with gentleness (2 Tim. 2:24–25), but also with firmness, because souls are at stake.
A Closing Exhortation
The elder’s relationship to sound doctrine is not optional—it is central. He must know it, teach it, and contend for it. The Word of God is not just his source of truth—it is his weapon, his compass, and his authority.
In an age of ear-tickling messages, doctrinal compromise, and theological apathy, the church must be led by men who are anchored, articulate, and unafraid.
Shepherds must feed the sheep with truth—and drive away wolves with the same.