Fathers

1 Timothy 3

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This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 3:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Even so must the women be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." Some have thought that this is said of women generally, but it is not so, for why should he introduce anything about women to interfere with his subject? He is speaking of those who hold the rank of Deaconesses.

Homily on 1 Timothy 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

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? That is, not slanderers who, as is typical of old women, go from house to house and whisper about one another behind their backs. 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. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Women likewise must be honorable, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Women, not just any women, but deaconesses. For what did Paul wish to mention among the clergy, women of any kind? not slanderous. What was said above: not to be double-tongued. but sober-minded. For the female sex is not to be trusted. Therefore, one must be sober and watchful. For as much as they are more susceptible to deceits, so much so do they need sobriety. faithful in all things. In faith and life.

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, the women in like manner, he shows how they should be characterized: first, he gives his instruction; second, the reason, at for they who have ministered well. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows how they should have been characterized in regard to their wives, which they had in the early Church, and he speaks on behalf of that state; second, in regard to their children, at who rule well their children. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗