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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
May we then receive an accusation against a younger man, or against any one at all without witnesses? Ought we not in all cases to come to our judgments with the greatest exactness? What then does he mean? Do not so, he means, with any, but especially in the case of an elder. For he speaks of an elder not with respect to office, but to age, since the young more easily fall into sin than their elders. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Do we really accept an accusation against a young person but not against someone else? On the contrary, the apostle speaks as if to say: against no one, and especially not against an elder. He did not say: do not accuse, but: do not even "receive an accusation" at all. For by their very age they sin less than the young. By "elder" the apostle here means a person who has reached old age. Since many are accused on suspicion, according to the ancient law, he says, there must be witnesses who convict the guilty party. …
Oecumenius
Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Rebuke those who sin in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful. Do not receive an accusation against an elder. What then? Should such an accusation be admitted against the younger? By no means! But as if he were saying: Against no one, and especially not against the elder; for they have, even from their very age, a certain restraint; therefore he calls him an elder [πρεσβύτερον] who is old in age. …
Western Saints
Jerome
When a man is advanced in years, you must not be too ready to believe evil of him. His past life is itself a defense, and so also is his rank as an elder. Still, since we are human and sometimes in spite of the ripeness of our years fall into the sins of youth, if I do wrong and you wish to correct me, accuse me openly of my fault. Do not backbite me secretly.
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, do not receive an accusation, he treats of the correction of prelates, saying that priests who have ruled well are worthy of a double honor; but those who are wicked must be corrected. In regard to this he does three things: first, he says that accusations against them must not be readily admitted; second, that guilty ones must be publicly corrected, at reprove those who sin; third, that they should not be condemned rashly, at without prejudice. …
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