Sound (5198) (hugiaino verb from noun hugies {click study} = whole, healthy; English = hygiene, hygienic = making sick folk whole; figuratively right or accurate) means to be in good health, to be healthy and wholesome, referring to literal, physical health as in (Luke 7:10) Most of the NT uses of hugiaino are figurative, describing that which is free from admixture of error and generally referring to Christian teaching or doctrine which is to accurately or correctly reflect the Bible and God's will and way. True, incorrupt and unadulterated doctrine. In a secular use Plutarch records that "these are sound views about the gods and true" Hugiaino is used 12x in NT. The first three NT uses hugiaino , all by Dr Luke, refer to the literal meaning, to be sound in health, Jesus answering the criticism of the Pharisees and Scribes saying to them that "It is not those who are well (hugiaino - KJV has "whole" - present tense) who need a physician, but those who are sick." (Lk 5:31) The second use is in reference to the healing of the believing centurion's servant -- "And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health (hugiaino - KJV has "whole" - present tense) ." (Lk 7:10) Luke's third use describes the returned prodigal son... Luke 15:27 "And he (the father of the prodigal son) said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound (this phrase translated by one Greek verb hugiaino - present tense)' Here are all the other NT uses of this verb hugiaino... 1 Timothy 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound (present tense) teaching, 1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound (present tense) words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 2 Timothy 1:13 Retain the standard of sound (present tense) words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (see note) 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound (present tense) doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; (see note) Titus 1:9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound (present tense) doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. For this cause reprove them severely that they may be sound (present tense) in the faith, (see note) (Comment: Hugiaino conveys the idea of "healthy" in faith or having a faith free from admixture of error) Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound (present tense) doctrine. (see note) Titus 2:2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound (present tense) in faith, in love, in perseverance. (see note) 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health (present tense), just as your soul prospers. Hugiaino is found 11 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Gen 29:6; 37:14; 43:27-28; Ex 4:18; 1Sa 25:6; 2Sa 14:8; 20:9; Pr 13:13; Dan 10:19) Hugiaino speaks of teaching which is diametrically opposed to to the sickly, morbid, unpractical teaching of those who speak against the gospel. Isn't it sad that in our society, so many (even in the church) are health conscious and scrupulous about "soundness" of the food they eat, and yet they exhibit little concern for the integrity of the spiritual food they eat! The validity and power of the overseer's exhortation lies in its conformity to the great doctrines of divine revelation, not in his eloquence or charisma. Hugiaino is used literally (by Dr Luke) to describe physical and mental soundness. It means to be healthy (implying full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease), to be well or to be safe and sound. To the Greeks health was regarded as the normal state and was highly valued. Hugiaino is used more often in the NT in the figurative sense referring to various things (teaching, doctrine, words, the faith). When referring to doctrine hugiaino means doctrine that is sound (free from flaw, defect, decay, error, fallacy), correct, true, pure, free of error, uncorrupted. Hugiaino denotes the wholesomeness or healthiness of true Christian teaching which is “health-producing.” Vine writes that hugiaino "describes the incorruptness of the words and teaching of the faith (and) in its metaphorical use is confined to these three pastoral epistles. While it signifies the essential character of the doctrines of the faith and of the words of God, it also intimates their healthful effect upon the believer in maintaining his soul in holiness and purity." (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson ) Paul uses hugiaino only in the figurative or metaphorical sense. In the Pastoral epistles, hugiaino occurs eight times with six uses associated with didaskalia, which is doctrine or teaching. The importance of sound, healthy, wholesome Christian doctrine cannot be overemphasized in regard to the spiritual health of the body of Christ. Would your exhortations to those you are shepherding be characterized by Paul as sound doctrine? The spiritual health and wholeness of your flock is dependent on what you are feeding them. Paul's first use in the Pastoral epistles describes various "sicknesses" of the soul (immorality, etc) that were "contrary to (continually opposed to or hostile to) sound (hugiaino) doctrine (didaskalia)." (1Ti 1:10) Paul goes on to define "sound doctrine" as that which is "Sound, healthy, wholesome doctrine is the only kind of teaching that produces spiritual life and growth. The implication is that false, unsound, unwholesome doctrine produces spiritual disease and debilitation. One can see why it was so critical for overseers to exhort with sound doctrine. Warren Wiersbe comments that "It is unfortunate today that we not only have (unsound, unhealthy doctrine) in teaching and preaching, but also in music. Far too many songs not only teach no doctrine, but many even teach false doctrines. A singer has no more right to sing a lie than a teacher has to teach a lie." (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) Paul identified three (#1-3) characteristics of false teachers writing that "If (Greek assumes following to be true) (#1) anyone advocates a different doctrine and (#2) does not agree with sound (hugiaino) words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and (#3) with the doctrine conforming to godliness," (1Ti 6:3) False teachers are not in agreement with spiritually wholesome and (spiritual) health-giving words, here defined as "those of our Lord Jesus Christ". Note that the effects in life and conduct are the test of the soundness of the teaching. The doctrine of Scripture is always practical, it never consists of merely theological tenets. Sound doctrine promotes godliness. Unsound words, not based on Scripture will always result in an unholy life. Thus the overseer needs to exhort with sound words. Paul exhorted Timothy to "Retain the standard of sound (hugiaino) words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." (see note 2 Timothy 1:13) Timothy, as are all good overseers, is to hold fast the pattern of the sound words, the doctrinal phraseology he received from Paul (this phrase parallels the phrase in Titus 1:9 "according to the teaching"). Timothy is to he is to cling to the very expressions by which this truth is conveyed. Particular words are to be retained and used so that the doctrinal statements of the truth may remain accurate, wholesome and spiritual health producing for future teachers and preachers. Paul explained that Timothy must preach the Word because "the time will come when they will not endure sound (hugiaino) doctrine (didaskalia); but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." (see note 2 Timothy 4:3) "This testimony is true. For this cause reprove (elegcho - same word here in Titus 1:9) them severely that they may be sound (hugiaino) in the faith" (see note Titus 1:13) The faith here stands for the sum total of Christian doctrine. "But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine." (see note Titus 2:1) Sound doctrine requires commensurate sound, wholesome behavior. Sound teaching produces spiritual health, and it is of the utmost importance for overseers to see to it that what they minister is of this character. Only thus can practical godliness issue. "Sound doctrine" is doctrine which is true, pure and uncorrupted, in contrast to that of false teachers which corrupts and tears down. Thus sound doctrine builds the saints up in the faith and protects them against the corrupting influence of lies and falsehoods. "If the doctrine be not sound, vain is the profession of it, and vain its influence. It is good to be zealously affected in a good thing; but zeal for what is not of God will do no good to the souls of men, how sincere so ever that zeal may be." (Clarke's Commentary) Sound biblical doctrine not only should be taught but also adhered to with deep conviction. Sound doctrine when heard and heeded leads to holy living but when unheard or unheeded leads to unholy living. Doctrine (1319) (didaskalia) (click word study) refers not to the method of teaching but to the content or the body of knowledge usually taught by speaking and which was constructed so as to shape the listener's will. Contrary to what is offered in much popular preaching today, the Bible is not a resource for truth but is the divinely revealed source of truth. It is not a supplementary text but the only text. Its truths are not optional but mandatory. Sound doctrine comforts the weary but afflicts the comfortable! And so sinners will be intolerant of the uncomfortable, convicting truth found in sound doctrine. Doctrine has the double application of exhorting and convicting, of instructing the saints and convicting those in opposition. AND TO REFUTE THOSE WHO CONTRADICT: kai tous antilegontas (PAPMPA) elegchein (PAN): (Titus 1:11; Acts 18:28; 1Cor 14:24; 2Ti 2:25) and correct those who oppose the word (GWT) and the gainsayers to convict (YLT) and to convince the gainsayers (One who contradicts or denies what is alleged; an opposer) (KJV) he must be able to show those who are against the true teaching that they are wrong (ICB) show those who oppose it where they are wrong (NLT) and also to show the error of those who are opposed to it. (TEV) and correct those who speak against it (NET) to refute and convict those who contradict and oppose it [showing the wayward their error] (Amp) and to reply successfully to opponents (WNT) Refute those who contradict - Just as a physician must attack infection & disease, so local church leaders must attack false doctrine! The overseer is to be continually able (dunatos) to rebuke the opposition in such a way that the opponent is compelled to admit the error of his ways, to bring forth conviction or confession. The overseer should speak forth the faithful word for All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, (elegxis - noun form of elegcho) for correction, for training in righteousness (see note 2 Timothy 3:16). Paul exhorted Timothy to preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove (elégchō), rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (see note 2 Timothy 4:2) Adam Clarke says the overseer is to Refute the objections, confound the sophistry, and convert the gainsayers; and thus defend the truth. (Clarke's Commentary) Trench says that elegcho means ‘to rebuke another, with such an effectual wielding of the victorious arms of the truth, as to bring him, if not always to a confession, yet at least to a conviction of his sin’...The aim of Christian rebuke is not to humiliate a man, but to enable him to see and recognize and admit the duty and the truth to which he has been either blind or disobedient”. Hiebert says that reprove (refute) signifies a presentation of evidence so that the arguments of the opponents are beaten down and proved to be baseless...a firm grasp of the truth is the indispensable preparation for him who would undertake to dispel error. (Titus and Philemon. page 36-37, Moody, 1957). 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