Misinterpretations often limit this to only ordained ministers, ignoring its broader call for all leaders to embody doctrinal fidelity; others twist it to justify aggressive debates or personal opinions as 'sound doctrine' rather than biblically grounded truth, or overlook the balance of exhortation and conviction in favor of mere confrontation without grace.
Titus 1:9
King James Version (1769)
9 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.
This verse describes a vital qualification for church elders, stressing their commitment to firmly upholding the trustworthy message of Scripture as taught to them, equipping them to encourage believers through healthy teaching and to refute opponents with compelling arguments, thereby safeguarding the church's doctrinal integrity and promoting spiritual growth.