Chapter Three
1 Tim. 3:1. Faithful is the word.
Since it was doubtful whether mothers could reap the fruits of the virtue of their children, the apostle says: "faithful is the word," that is, what has been said is not false, and let no one doubt.
1 Tim. 3:1. If anyone desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.
The instruction prescribed to Timothy concerning the bishop applies to bishops of the entire world. If anyone, he says, seeks the episcopate, I do not hinder him, for he desires a good work. But let him seek not merely authority and power, for Moses too desired the work, not the authority: he defended the one unjustly wronged and punished the wrongdoer. The episcopate is so called because it involves oversight over all.
1 Tim. 3:2. But a bishop must be blameless.
That is, to be adorned with all virtues, so that neither he himself nor others would reproach him. Therefore, if anyone is conscious of sins in himself, let him not seek such a rank, from which he has removed himself by his own conduct. For a leader must be a lamp, so that all, looking upon him, may be enlightened and guided by his life.
1 Tim. 3:2. A husband of one wife.
If a man bound by the ties of marriage cares about worldly affairs, and a bishop must not care about worldly things, then how does the apostle say, "husband of one wife"? Some suppose that he indicated the celibacy of a bishop. But if this is not what should be understood here, then it means that, having a wife, he can live as though not having one, that is, not submitting to her desires. In saying this, the apostle does not legislate that a bishop must necessarily be married. For how could he who said, "I wish that all men were as I myself am" (1 Cor. 7:7), command this? But if, according to the circumstances of that time, he says, this did happen, then let him be the husband of one wife. This was said also on account of the Jews, among whom polygamy was permitted. Some, however, without any basis supposed that the apostle says this with reference to the church — namely, they say, that a bishop should not transfer from one church to another, because this is adultery.
1 Tim. 3:2. Temperate.
That is, to be cautious, always vigilant, attentively observant, so as to see everything and always be ready for every needful task.
1 Tim. 3:2. Prudent.
That is, to act in all things prudently.
1 Tim. 3:2. Well-ordered, honorable (κόσμιον). 3
That is, beautifully honorable.
1 Tim. 3:2. Hospitable.
For if he is kind, hospitable, and merciful only to the local residents, he is partial. But he ought to be even more generous to strangers, for this more clearly testifies to his love of the brethren.
1 Tim. 3:2. Apt to teach.
The qualities indicated before this are required also of subordinates, but most of all they should belong to the bishop.
1 Tim. 3:3. Not a drunkard.
The apostle is not speaking here about one who is drunk with wine, but about one who is quarrelsome and arrogant.
1 Tim. 3:3. Not a striker.
Here the discussion is not about those who strike with their hands, but about those who unseasonably disturb the conscience of the brethren.
1 Tim. 3:3. Not quarrelsome, not greedy, but gentle, peaceable, not a lover of money.
He teaches how one can be neither a drunkard nor a striker. Whoever is gentle will not be quarrelsome. Since he said above that he must be "given to hospitality" (1 Tim. 3:3), he now adds: "not covetous," showing that he will be hospitable if he is not covetous, and at the same time teaching that under the pretext of hospitality he must not accumulate treasures.