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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Rebuke not an elder." Is he now speaking of the order? I think not, but of any elderly man. What then if he should need correction? Do not rebuke him, but address him as you would a father offending.
Theophylact of Ohrid
The apostle is not speaking about one who holds the rank of presbyter in the Church, but about every aged person. But what if he needs correction? In that case, he says, treat him as a father.
Oecumenius
Do not rebuke an elder man, but encourage him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Paul does not teach any new doctrine, but all things are old. What then does he say? If correction is needed, admonish as a father, teaching with gentleness. For harsh rebuke is severe, especially from a young man toward an elder; through modesty what is severe is softened. younger men as brothers. With common sense understood, to exhort. …
Western Saints
Gregory the Dialogist
The preacher of Almighty God, Paul the apostle, says, "Rebuke not an elder" (1 Tim. v. 1). But this rule of his is to be observed in cases where the fault of an elder does not draw through his example the hearts of the younger into ruin. But, when an elder sets an example to the young for their ruin, he is to be smitten with severe rebuke. For it is written, "Ye are all a snare to the young" (Isai. xlii. 22). And again the prophet says, "The sinner being an hundred years old is accursed" (Isai. lxv. 20).
Leo the Great
Because, although as a rule there exist among careless or slothful brethren things which demand a strong hand in rectifying them; yet the correction ought to be so applied as ever to keep love inviolate. Wherefore also it is that the blessed Apostle Paul, in instructing Timothy upon the ruling of the Church, says: "An elder rebuke not, but intreat him as a father: the young men as brethren: old women as mothers: young women as sisters in all purity." And if this moderation is due by the Apostle's precept to all and any of the lower …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, do not rebuke an ancient man, he shows how his teaching must be adapted to various hearers; and he mentions two varieties: first, according to age; second, according to sex. In regard to the second, they are divided: first, into men; second, into women, at old women. He says, therefore: do not rebuke an ancient man, but entreat him as a father: honor the person of an aged man (Lev 19:32). …
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