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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
See him, hasting to sail by, and yet not overlooking them, but taking order for all. Having sent for the rulers, through those he discourses to them (the Ephesians): but it is worthy of admiration, how finding himself under a necessity of saying certain great things about himself, he tries to make the least he can of it. "Ye know." For just as Samuel, when about to deliver up the government to Saul says in their presence, "Have I taken aught of your hands? Ye are witnesses, and God also" (1 Sam. xii. 3, 5); (so Paul here). …
Theophylact of Ohrid
"He called the elders of the church." Many are unaware of the custom of Scripture, especially of the New Testament, of calling bishops elders and elders bishops; yet this is evident both from this passage and from the Epistle to Titus, as well as from the Epistle to the Philippians. We could also learn whether the same thing should not be inferred, albeit by conclusion, from the First Epistle to Timothy as well.
Oecumenius
Since custom commonly escapes notice, especially in the New Testament calling bishops [ἐπισκόπους] elders [πρεσβυτέρους] and elders bishops, note this here, also from the Epistle to Titus, and moreover to the Philippians, and from the First to Timothy. From Acts therefore there is grounds to be convinced about this. For it is written therefore: From Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he called the elders of the church together, and did not say the bishops. …
Western Saints
Bede
He called the elders of the Church. For elders, the Greek uses πρεσβυτέρους.
Cassiodorus
"And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church." Sending from Miletus to Ephesus, the apostle Paul summoned the bishops of the church, and there retraced for them his story with great affection, reminding them of the moderation and humility with which he had behaved among them, above all bringing to their notice the word of the Lord so that false preachers, when they came, might not overturn their hearts, and that they might not make the too dangerous mistake of deviating from established rules. …
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