1_It is a true saying _Chrysostom thinks, that this is the conclusion of the preceding doctrine. But I do not approve of the opinion; for Paul commonly makes use of this form of expression as a prelude to what he is about to introduce, Besides, in the former discourse there was no need of so strong... [ Continue Reading ]
2_A bishop, therefore, must be blameless _The particle _therefore _confirms the exposition which I have given; for, on account of the dignity of the office, he concludes that it is requisite that he be a man endowed with rare gifts, and not any person taken out of the crowd. (48) If the expression u... [ Continue Reading ]
3_Not addicted to wine. By _the word πάροινον, (56) which is here used, the Greeks denote not merely drunkenness, but any intemperance in guzzling wine. And, indeed, to drink wine excessively is not only very unbecoming in a pastor, but commonly draws along with it many things still worse; such as q... [ Continue Reading ]
4_Who ruleth well his own house _Hence it is evident, that Paul does not demand that a bishop shall be unacquainted within human life, (59) but that he shall be a good and praiseworthy master of a household; for, whatever may be the admiration commonly entertained for celibacy and a philosophical li... [ Continue Reading ]
5_And if any one know not how to rule his own house _(61) This argument, drawn from the less to the greater, is in itself manifest, that he who is unfit for governing a family will be altogether unable to govern a people. Besides that it is evident that he is destitute of the virtues necessary for t... [ Continue Reading ]
6_Not a novice _There being many men of distinguished ability and learning who at that time were brought to the faith, Paul forbids that such persons shall be admitted to the office of a bishop, as soon as they have made profession of Christianity. And he shews how great would be the danger; for it... [ Continue Reading ]
7_A good report from those who are without_. This appears to be very difficult, that a religious man should have, as witnesses of his integrity, infidels themselves, who are furiously mad to tell lies against us. But the apostle means, that, so far as relates to external behavior, even unbelievers t... [ Continue Reading ]
8_Likewise the deacons _There is no reason why the diversity of interpretations should lead us to entertain any doubt. It is certain that time Apostle speaks of those who hold a public office in the Church; and this refutes the opinion of those who think that domestic servants are here meant. As to... [ Continue Reading ]
9_Holding the mystery of faith _As if he had said, “Holding the pure doctrine of religion, and that from the heart, with a sincere fear of God;” or, “Being well instructed in the faith, so as not to be ignorant of anything which it is necessary for Christians to know.” He gives to the sum of Christi... [ Continue Reading ]
10_And let those be first tried _He wishes that they who are chosen should not be unknown, but that their integrity should be ascertained, like that of the bishops. And hence it is evident, that they are called _blameless _who are not stained by any marked vice. Besides, this trial is not for a sing... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Likewise the wives _He means the wives both of deacons and of bishops, for they must be aids to their husbands in their office; which cannot be, unless their behavior excel that of others.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the deacons be _Since he mentioned wives, he lays down the same injunction about deacons as he had formerly down about bishops; namely, that each of them — satisfied within having but one wife — shall set an example of a chaste and honorable father of a family, and shall keep his _children _and... [ Continue Reading ]
13_. For they who have served well _Owing to a practice which came into use one or two centuries after the death of the apostles, of choosing presbyters from the order of deacons, this passage has been commonly interpreted as describing elevation to a higher rank, as if the Apostle called to the hon... [ Continue Reading ]
14_These things I write to thee _He holds out to Timothy the hope of his coming, partly in order to encourage him, and partly in order to repress the insolence of those who grew more haughty on account of his absence. And yet he does not make any feigned promise to Timothy, or terrify others through... [ Continue Reading ]
15_How thou oughtest to conduct thyself: _By this mode of expression he commends the weight and dignity of the office; because pastors (66) may be regarded as stewards, to whom God has committed the charge of governing his house. If any person has the superintendence of a large house, he labors nigh... [ Continue Reading ]
16_Great is the mystery of godliness _Again, here is another enhancement. That the truth of God might not, through the ingratitude of men, be less esteemed than it ought, he extols its value, by stating that “great is the secret of godliness;” that is, because it does not treat of mean subjects, b... [ Continue Reading ]