1 Tim. 3:4. One who rules his own house well.
One who manages his own household well can quickly become a good ruler of the state — this is something even secular writers affirm.
1 Tim. 3:4. Children maintaining in obedience with all dignity.
In his own house he must show an example, for who will believe that a man who could not keep his own son in submission will subdue a stranger to himself? How will he make strangers honorable, when he has allowed his own kin to live dishonorably? "With all dignity" means both in word, and in deed, and in dress — and moreover before all people and at all times.
1 Tim. 3:5. For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, will he take care of the Church of God?
A household is nothing other than a small church. Therefore, if he cannot be a good ruler of what is not great, and is easily defined, and easily known, then how can he govern the characters and thoughts — unimaginable — of so many souls? Worthy of attention is the question of why the apostle, while making such demands of laypeople: "Put to death your earthly members" (Col. 3:5), and again: "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh" (Gal. 5:24), now demands less of the bishop, not befitting so high a rank, namely: not to be a drunkard, not a striker, and so on. And Christ, commanding to take up one's cross, says: "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). Therefore Paul ought to have demanded of the bishop that he lead a nearly angelic life, free from passions, befitting the loftiness of his station. Listen: with such strictness in manner of life, few people could be found, yet many bishops were needed who would preside in every city. Therefore the apostle also demanded a moderate virtue, which could be found in many. But now, alas! How far we bishops have fallen, so that not even a shadow of such moderate virtue is found in us! Have mercy on us, O Lord!
1 Tim. 3:6. Not [should he be] from among the newly converted.
The Apostle speaks here not of one who was young in age, as Timothy was young, which we learn from Paul's words: "let no one despise your youth" (1 Tim. 4:12), but of a recent convert. For, he says, "I planted" (1 Cor. 3:6). Since many of the pagans were converting and being baptized, do not, he says, immediately elevate the newly baptized to such authority.
1 Tim. 3:6. Lest he become puffed up and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
If anyone, before being a proper disciple, becomes a teacher, he will, he says, become puffed up and fall under the same condemnation and punishment to which the devil is subject for his pride.
1 Tim. 3:7. He must also have a good testimony from outsiders.
That is, from the pagans, so that they too would not reproach him for anything, but on the contrary, would respect him. But what if he appears good to them, yet in reality is not so? This will present a great difficulty. For enemies reproach righteous people. However, the apostle sets forth not this alone, but together with the other virtues, saying: "he must also have a good testimony." But what if they speak ill of him without cause, in order to slander him? This cannot be, because even they respect a man of blameless life. They reproach his teaching, not his life, just as they did not call the apostles fornicators and impious men, but deceivers, which pertained to the preaching alone. But if such a case should arise that a man is falsely slandered, he still must not be appointed bishop. For it must not be that anyone's soul should not be illumined by its lamp. "Let your works shine," He says, "so that people may see" (Matt. 5:16). And if one must have testimony from enemies, then all the more so from friends.
1 Tim. 3:7. To avoid falling into reproach.
He has in mind the reproach from the pagans, which can cut short the beneficial effect of preaching.
1 Tim. 3:7. And the snare of the devil.
Either that they will soon put him to death, or that he will fall into the very same sins as they. And to be a stumbling block for many is also a snare of the devil.
1 Tim. 3:8. Deacons likewise.
Why then did the apostle omit the presbyters? Because everything he said about bishops applies to the presbyters as well. Indeed, they too have received the right of teaching and leadership in the Church, and yield to bishops only in the right to perform ordination. So then, he says, deacons likewise, that is, must have the same qualities, namely: be hospitable, gentle, not quarrelsome, and so forth.
1 Tim. 3:8. [They must be] honorable.
They must, he says, besides what has been said, also have honor.
1 Tim. 3:8. Not double-tongued.
That is, not crafty, not cunning, not holding one thing in mind while saying another — one thing to some, and another to others.
1 Tim. 3:8. Not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.
He did not say "not drunkards," because that is already extremely base, but "not given to much wine." For some, although they do not get drunk, nevertheless drink a great deal and weaken the disposition of the soul. The ancients, when entering the sanctuary, completely abstained from the use of wine. "Greedy for gain" refers to one who refuses no profit, no matter where it comes from. Understand "not greedy for gain" here as meaning incorruptible and not covetous.
1 Tim. 3:9. Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.