Holding fast (472) (antechomai from antà = against or opposite to + écho = hold) means literally to hold one's self against, the primary sense being to keep one's self directly opposite someone or something. It conveys the sense of cleaving to, strongly adhering to or holding firmly (in context to the faithful word). The second meaning of antechomai in the NT is to help or assist by giving supplementary support or aid to (1Thes 5:14). Antechomai expresses the sense of a strong attachment to someone or something. To be devoted (feeling or demonstrating loyalty and thus ardent, devout, loving). To cling to (adhere as if glued firmly to and so to hold on tightly and tenaciously). Antechomai is used 4 times in NT... Matthew 6:24 (note) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to (cleave to, holding firmly to, devoted to) one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 1Thessalonians 5:14 (note) And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help (support) the weak, be patient with all men. 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 doctrine and to refute those who contradict. There are 16 uses of antechomai in the Septuagint (LXX) (Deut. 32:41; Neh. 4:16; Job 33:24; Prov. 3:18; 4:6; Eccl. 7:18; Isa. 48:2; 56:2, 4, 6; 57:13; Jer. 2:8; 8:2; 44:10; Dan. 10:21; Zeph. 1:6) Proverbs 3:18 She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who take hold (Lxx = antechomai) of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. The Greek writer Sophocles uses this verb of a physical action to "hold one's hand against one's head so as to shade the eyes". Ulysses S. Grant said... Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of our liberties; write its precepts on your hearts and practise them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look for our guide in the future. Overseers and elders must continue to cling tenaciously and uncompromisingly to the faithful Word even in the face of opposition and the temptation to abandon it for something more "palatable" or "ear tickling" (see notes 2 Timothy 4:3; 4:4). He is not to be like a child "tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming" (see note Ephesians 4:14). The leader instead must be characterized by doctrinal stability so that he is emboldened like Paul to not "shrink from declaring... the whole purpose of God." (Acts 20:27) Barnes says the overseer "is to hold (the truth) fast, in opposition to one who would wrest it away, and in opposition to all false teachers, and to all systems of false philosophy. He must be a man who is firm in his belief of the doctrines of the Christian faith, and a man who can be relied on to maintain and defend those doctrines in all circumstances." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible) Paul uses the middle voice (reflexive = an action initiated by and directed back onto the subject) for antechomai to picture the overseer holding himself face to face as it were with the Word of God because he knows it to be trustworthy and dependable, not unreliable and treacherous like the spurious teachings of those who contradict. One way the overseer is to adhere to the Word is by not adding to "the words of the prophecy of this book" or taking "away from the words of the book" (see notes Revelation 22:18; Revelation 22:19). In a similar instruction Paul commanded Timothy who appears to have been "overseeing" the Ephesian church to "retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me." (see note 2 Timothy 1:13) The overseer should examine (dokimazo in the present imperative = command to make this your habitual practice - EVERYTHING!) everything carefully" and "hold fast (present imperative) to that which is good (see note 1Th 5:21) The overseer needs to heed the wisdom of the proverb which exhorts us to Buy truth, and do not sell it. Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. (Pr 23:23) The overseer is to stand firm and hold to the traditions which (he was) taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us (Paul, et al). (2Th 2:15) The overseer is to be alerted if "anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness." (1Ti 6:3). The overseer needs to have the attitude of Jude who wrote "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3) In short, the overseer is to be a man characterized by doctrinal stability. The LORD testifies to Satan concerning Job that there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause." (Job 2:3) Later Job himself affirms that I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12 - notes) Job held fast to his integrity because he held fast to the trustworthy word of God and so too must overseers of God's flock. Antechomai is used 15 times in the Septuagint (Greek of Hebrew OT). For example speaking of wisdom, Solomon writes that She is a tree of life to those who take hold of (antechomai) her, And happy are all who hold her fast." (Pr 3:18 ) The overseer clings with utmost confidence to the faithful word because he knows that it alone is completely trustworthy and reliable, unlike the spurious doctrines of the false teachers. The faithful word - trustworthy, reliable, believable, dependable Word of God. There is nothing else like it in time and eternity. Hold it even when all else falls or fails for it never will beloved!