ACC ~ 1 Timothy 3 v2a

DO NOT DESIRE AN OFFICE IF YOUR ACTIONS DISQUALIFY YOU. CHRYSOSTOM: Blameless: every virtue is implied in this word. If anyone is conscious to himself of any sins, he does not well to desire an office for which his own actions have disqualified him. … For why did no one say of the apostles that they were fornicators, unclean or covetous persons, but that they were deceivers, which relates to their preaching only? Must it not be that their lives were irreproachable? This is clear. HOMILIES ON 1 TIMOTHY 10.

NOT WITHOUT CRITICS. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: “Without reproach” can scarcely mean “without critics,” since Paul himself had such, but blameless as to living. COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY.

THE ANALOGY OF THE METALSMITH. GREGORY OF NYSSA: When making a vessel of iron, we entrust the task not to those who know nothing about the matter but to those who are acquainted with the art of the smith. Ought we not, therefore, to entrust souls to him who is well-skilled to soften them by the fervent heat of the Holy Spirit and who by the impress of rational implements may fashion each one of you to be a chosen and useful vessel? It is thus that the inspired apostle bids us to take thought, in his epistle to Timothy, laying injunction upon all who hear, when he says that a bishop must be without reproach. Is this all that the apostle cares for, that he who is advanced to the priesthood should be irreproachable? And what is so great an advantage as that all possible qualifications should be included in one? But he knows full well that the subject is molded by the character of his superior and that the upright walk of the guide becomes that of his followers too. For what the Master is, such does he make the disciple to be. LETTERS 13.

1 Tim