Fathers

Titus 1

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Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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What the Fathers say

Titus 1:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Ver. 7. "For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker." For a ruler without, as he rules by law and compulsion, perhaps does not consult the wishes of those under his rule. But he who ought to rule men with their own consent, and who will be thankful for his rule, if he so conduct himself as to do everything of his own will, and share counsels with no one, makes his presidency tyrannical rather than popular. …

Homily on Titus 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

How can he be blameless if he has unbelieving and undisciplined children? God has placed him over His house, he occupies God's place; therefore in all respects he must be a precise fulfiller of His will. Civil authorities rule over their subordinates by the force of law, and therefore can display boldness and self-assertion. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Oecumenius

For the bishop must be blameless as God's steward, not stubborn, not quick-tempered, not drunken, not violent, not greedy for gain; but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined. To be accused is a general concept. For to be accused encompasses all things that are to be named: that is, one against whom no crime can be charged. as God's steward. Since, Paul says, the office is great, it also requires great watchfulness. not quick-tempered. …

Commentary On Titus ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

"For it is necessary that a bishop be without blame, as the steward of God: not arrogant, not prone to anger, not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy for filthy lucre." Therefore, it is required among stewards that a faithful person be found: and not eating and drinking with drunkards, striking slaves and maidservants; but uncertain of the return of God, and giving food to his servants in due season. But between the stewards and the servile, this is the only difference: that a servant is appointed over his servants. …

Commentary on Titus ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, a bishop must be without crime, he amplifies what he has said: first, the fact that he said, without crime; second, the marks he must be without, at not proud. The reason for the first requirement is that he must dispense divine things: like the magistrate of the people, so are his officials (Sir 10:2); he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me (Ps 101:6). …

Commentary on Titus ↗