Fathers

1 Timothy 3

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

This is a faithful saying: someone who seeks to be an overseer desires a good work. The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; (but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?) not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil. Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless. Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in all things. Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 3:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Even so must the women be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." Some have thought that this is said of women generally, but it is not so, for why should he introduce anything about women to interfere with his subject? He is speaking of those who hold the rank of Deaconesses.

Homily on 1 Timothy 11 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The apostle speaks not of some random women, but of deaconesses. For this ministry is very necessary and beneficial for the Church. If he were not speaking of them, what need would there be to speak of women in the midst of a discourse about male deacons? That is, not slanderers who, as is typical of old women, go from house to house and whisper about one another behind their backs. That is, to be vigilant. Since this kind is fickle and easily deceived, they must not, he says, be drowsy, but be alert and watchful. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Women likewise must be honorable, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Women, not just any women, but deaconesses. For what did Paul wish to mention among the clergy, women of any kind? not slanderous. What was said above: not to be double-tongued. but sober-minded. For the female sex is not to be trusted. Therefore, one must be sober and watchful. For as much as they are more susceptible to deceits, so much so do they need sobriety. faithful in all things. In faith and life.

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, the women in like manner, he shows how they should be characterized: first, he gives his instruction; second, the reason, at for they who have ministered well. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows how they should have been characterized in regard to their wives, which they had in the early Church, and he speaks on behalf of that state; second, in regard to their children, at who rule well their children. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗