That is, with the keeping of the right dogma, having also a blameless life. For a pure conscience comes with a blameless life.
1 Tim. 3:10. And let these also first be proved; then let them serve, being blameless.
Just as, he says, regarding the bishop I required that he not be a recent convert, so I require that these also not be admitted to the ministry without having been tested, but only after having been sufficiently tested and found to be blameless—just as no one would entrust a newly purchased slave with any managerial position before he has proven himself worthy of it over time.
1 Tim. 3:11. Likewise the wives [must be] honorable.
The apostle speaks not of some random women, but of deaconesses. For this ministry is very necessary and beneficial for the Church. If he were not speaking of them, what need would there be to speak of women in the midst of a discourse about male deacons?
1 Tim. 3:11. Not slanderers.
That is, not slanderers who, as is typical of old women, go from house to house and whisper about one another behind their backs.
1 Tim. 3:11. Temperate.
That is, to be vigilant. Since this kind is fickle and easily deceived, they must not, he says, be drowsy, but be alert and watchful.
1 Tim. 3:11. Faithful in all things.
That is, be steadfast both in word and in deeds.
1 Tim. 3:12. A deacon must be the husband of one wife.
Do you see that the apostle requires from deacons the very same virtue that he required from bishops? For they too must equally be pure and blameless.
1 Tim. 3:12. Managing his children and his own house well.
He speaks everywhere about the management of children, so that others may not have occasion for scandal.
1 Tim. 3:13. For those who have served well prepare for themselves a higher standing and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
"Degree," that is, advancement. For those who showed themselves sober-minded in the lower offices soon attain the higher ones as well, so as to have great boldness in the faith; that is, to be more glorious not in worldly dignities, not in wealth, but in the faith, that is, in all words and deeds according to the faith. Thus those who served well as deacons were afterward glorious also in the degrees of the presbyterate and the episcopate.
1 Tim. 3:14–15. I write these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly, so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to conduct oneself in the house of God.
Lest by giving him instruction concerning such matters he cast the disciple into grief, as though Paul would no longer see him, he says: I do not write this because I will no longer come; on the contrary, I will come. However, if it happens that I am delayed, you must have a model of how it is fitting for you to live. The apostle said beautifully: "hoping." Since, being led by the Spirit, he did not know where he must go, he rightly has doubts also concerning his coming to Timothy.
1 Tim. 3:15. Which is the Church of the living God.
Do not say that people assembled the Church. She is the work of God — the living and fearsome God, not a dead and powerless one, such as are the gods of the Greeks.
1 Tim. 3:15. Pillar and foundation of the truth.
The Apostle here compares the Church with the Jewish temple and says that the latter was truly a type and shadow, such as, for example, the bells, the costly ornaments, and the high priest with the sacrifices. But the Church is the pillar of truth. For everything performed in her is true and not figurative, as were the things in the church under the Law: instead of bells, she has resplendent preaching; instead of costly ornaments and sacred vestments, a most glorious life, rich in inward fruits; her High Priest is the Son of God; her great sacrifice is His Divine Body.
1 Tim. 3:16. And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness.
The economy of our salvation is a mystery. This mystery is "great," a mystery "of godliness," for it is beyond all doubt. But what kind of mystery is it that everyone knows? Very many know it, but not all. And even if all know it now, not all knew it before. Moreover, all know that God became incarnate, but how He became incarnate—this is hidden, and therefore it is a mystery. Consider, then, how great is God's love toward us, if He has fully revealed His mystery to us.