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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Discoursing of Bishops, and having described their character, and the qualities which they ought to possess, and having passed over the order of Presbyters, he proceeds to that of Deacons. The reason of this omission was, that between Presbyters and Bishops there was no great difference. Both had undertaken the office of Teachers and Presidents in the Church, and what he has said concerning Bishops is applicable to Presbyters. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
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. They must, he says, besides what has been said, also have honor. …
Oecumenius
Deacons likewise must be honorable, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. For what reason did Paul pass over the elders [πρεσβυτέρους]? Because he mingled them with the bishops themselves. For what he said about the bishops, he also applies to the elders: since they too are similarly priests, and have been entrusted with the duty of teaching. not double-tongued. That is, deceitful and traitorous. not given to much wine. …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, deacons in like manner, he shows what pertains to deacons, which in Greek means the same as ministers. For in the early Church there were three orders, as Dionysius says: bishops, priests, and ministers, and they were not divided into various stages, but all were of one order because of the scarcity of ministers and the newness of the Church. First, therefore, he shows how deacons should be in themselves; second, in relation to others, at the women in like manner. …
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