1 Timothy 3:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The house is nothing other than a little church. Therefore, if he cannot be a good ruler of what is not great, and is easily defined and easily known, where will he govern the unfathomable morals and thoughts of so many souls?

The question deserves attention: why does the Apostle make such demands of laymen, saying, “Put to death your members which are on the earth” (Col. 3:5), and again, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh” (Gal. 5:24), while now he demands less of a bishop, something not corresponding to so high a rank, namely, that he be not a drunkard, not a striker, and so forth?

For if he cannot keep his own sons in obedience, how will he be able to watch over order in the Church of God?

Can care for what is greater and divine be entrusted to one who does not know how to manage what is small?

The philosophers outside also say that a good household manager can more quickly become a governor of civic affairs. But if one bound by the bonds of marriage cares for worldly things, while a bishop must not care for worldly affairs, how does the Apostle say that a bishop must be “the husband of one wife”?

Some understand this in the sense of one who had a wife, not one who has a wife. In general, even one who has a wife must conduct himself like one who does not have one. This concession, that is, in favor of a married bishop, was made in view of the Church’s condition at that time.

How shall we not be ashamed when we see anger and desire wronging reason, rejecting the God-given principle, and of themselves raising up impious and unjust disorder, strife, and confusion? Rightly our blessed lawgiver, sent by God, does not count worthy to preside in the Church of God one who has not first presided well in his own house. For the one who has ordered himself as he should will also order another.

Besides one marriage, according to the Apostle, with what qualities must a bishop, and likewise a presbyter, be endowed (1 Tim. 3:3-7)?

First, he must be distinguished on the good moral side both in heart and character. He must be sober, chaste, orderly, honorable, and so forth (1 Tim. 3:2). He must also be distinguished in mind, being apt to teach, and in his outward conduct, being not a drunkard, not a striker, not contentious, but peaceable, and so forth (1 Tim. 3:3).

Second, he must first prove his ability to govern the Church by the skillful and successful governance of his own house and family. “For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, will he take care of the Church of God?” (1 Tim. 3:5).

The ability to govern one’s own household affairs, and especially to bring up one’s children in faith and virtue, is set by the Apostle as one of the important signs of worthiness for the episcopal rank, and likewise for the presbyteral rank. The Church is also a house, where there is also a divine economy, but one incomparably greater and more important.

The Apostle then says that it is not fitting to appoint as bishop, or likewise as presbyter, recent converts, nor those who are not in good standing under civil laws, even among pagans, as offenders. A recent convert may fall into pride. One who has a bad name will fall under judgment and all its consequences, of which the enemy of Christian salvation, the devil and all his servants, can easily take advantage.

The word “does not know” indicates a lack either of prudence or of character. The word “take care” exposes laziness, a lack of zeal for the welfare of the house. If, judging by household management, neither zeal, character, nor prudence for governing the Church is foreseen in someone, how can good governance of it be expected from him? How can it be expected that he will care for its good?