Sound in Doctrine

Titus 1:7 described elders as “overseers,” pointing out the authority committed to them to rule the church in Christ’s name and by his Word. If there is a danger that guardians would fail to keep watch against error, then it is essential that these watchmen themselves be sound in doctrine. The word for “doctrine” is simply “teaching” (Greek: didaskalia). It informs us that there is a body of truth taught by the prophets and apostles and recorded in Scripture. The gospel consists not merely of sentiments and ideals but of truths that can be taught and learned by Christians. Since Paul emphasizes “the trustworthy word” (Titus 1:9), there must be an unfaithful contrast; since Paul calls for sound doctrine, there is obviously unsound teaching that must be opposed.

教義上的健全

提多書 1:7 將長老描述為“監督”，指出他們被賦予奉基督的名和話語治理教會的權柄。如果存在監護人無法警惕錯誤的危險，那麼這些監護人本身就必須在教義上保持健全（和合本譯作“純正”）。 “教義doctrine”這個詞就是“教導teaching”（希臘語：didaskalia）。它告訴我們，有一套由先知和使徒教導並記錄在聖經中的真理。福音不僅包含情感和理想，還包含基督徒可以教導和學習的真理。既然保羅強調“道是可信的”（多 1:9，和合本譯作“真實的道理”），那麼必然存在着不忠實的對比。既然保羅呼籲健全的（純正的）教義，顯然就必須反對不純正的教義。

Elders must be characterized by a firm hold on the trustworthy and sound teaching of Scripture. This soundness comes from the faithful teaching they receive, ideally through the exposition of Bible texts by ministers who are called and equipped to preach. We are living in a time when church attenders often prefer an impressionistic approach to teaching. Instead of the didactic proclaiming of the Bible’s message, they prefer moving stories and explorations of the pastor’s feelings. Since some believe that such an approach is more likely to fill the pews, too many preachers abandon or neglect their primary calling as teachers of biblical truth. Paul urges Titus, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). In 2 Timothy 4:1–2, Paul urged his other protégé, Timothy: “I charge you in the presence of God …: preach the word.”

長老的特點必須是牢牢抓住聖經中值得信賴和健全的教導。這種健全性來自於他們所接受的忠實的教導，最好是通過被呼召並有能力傳道的牧師對聖經經文的解釋。我們生活在一個教會參加者往往更喜歡印象派教學方法的時代。他們不喜歡說教式地宣講聖經的信息，而是更喜歡感人的故事和對牧師感受的探索。由於有些人認為這種方法更有可能填滿座位，因此太多的傳道人放棄或忽視了他們作為聖經真理教師的主要使命。保羅勸告提多，“但你所講（laleō）的，總要合乎那純正的（hygiainō）道理（didaskalia，教義）”（多 2:1）。在提摩太后書 4:1-2 中，保羅勸告他的另一位門徒提摩太：“我在神面前、、、囑咐你……務要傳（kēryssō）道（logos）。”