Fathers

1 Timothy 3

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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.

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 3:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." This is rightly said, as he was certain to be reproached by them, and for the same reason perhaps he said, "the husband of one wife," though elsewhere he says, "I would that all men were even as I myself!" that is, practicing continency. That he may not therefore confine them within too narrow a limit, by requiring an over-strict conversation, he is satisfied to prescribe moderate virtue. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 10 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

That is, from the pagans, so that they too would not reproach him for anything, but on the contrary, would respect him. But what if he appears good to them, yet in reality is not so? This will present a great difficulty. For enemies reproach righteous people. However, the apostle sets forth not this alone, but together with the other virtues, saying: "he must also have a good testimony." But what if they speak ill of him without cause, in order to slander him? This cannot be, because even they respect a man of blameless life. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Oecumenius

Moreover, he must have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. from those outside. Outside, says the Greeks. Observe the precision. What then if he is bad, but has a good testimony? This is impossible. For it is beloved for the most upright to be testified to by enemies. But this, along with other things, requires good qualities; for he also shows a bond. But what if, being good, he is despised concerning his life? …

Commentary On 1 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

The fruit represents a good character; not the praise given a man by a few just and wise people, but popular report, which bestows greatness and renown on a man, and which is not desirable for its own sake, but is essential to the success of good men in their endeavors to benefit their fellow-men. …

Reply To Faustus The Manichaean 22.56 ↗

Leo the Great

At least the wishes of the citizens should have been waited for, and the testimony of the people: the opinion of those held in honour should have been asked, and the choice of the clergy—things which those who know the rules of the fathers are wont to observe in the ordination of priests: that the rule of the Apostle's authority might in all things be kept, which enjoins that one who is to be the priest of a church should be fortified, not only by the attestation of the faithful but also by the testimony of "those who are without," …

Letters 10.4 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, moreover, he must have a good testimony, he shows how the bishop must behave in relation to the multitude of unbelievers: first, he must have a good reputation: walk with wisdom toward those who are without (Col 4:5); having your conversation good among the gentiles (1 Pet 2:12). And this is required of a prelate, because the character of the entire congregation is judged from the prelate. But this seems to be opposed to what is stated in 2 Corinthians: by evil report and good report (2 Cor 6:8). …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗