ACC ~ 1 Timothy 4 v14b

PRESBYTERS AND BISHOPS DIFFERENT. CHRYSOSTOM: He speaks here not of presbyters but of bishops. For presbyters cannot be supposed to have ordained a bishop. HOMILIES ON 1 TIMOTHY 13.

PRESBYTERS AND BISHOPS THE SAME. JEROME: The apostle clearly teaches that presbyters are the same as bishops. … Writing to Titus the apostle says, “For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint presbyters in every city, as I had instructed. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having believing children not accused of wantonness or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God.” And to Timothy he says, “Neglect not the gift of prophecy that is in you, which was given you through the laying on of hands of the presbytery.” LETTERS 146.1.

A MEDIATING POSITION. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Those whom he calls presbyters in this passage are not those whom we now call by that name—Paul does not usually allow to presbyters as such the power of ordination by the laying on of hands. Rather he says that the gathering of the apostles was present with him when he laid hands in his ordination. He calls this the “council of presbyters” as a designation of honor. It is in accordance with this custom that at the ordination of a bishop not one, but the multitude of bishops present, implement the ordination. COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY.