ACC ~ 1 Timothy 5 v19

AN OLDER PERSON OR A PRESBYTER? CHRYSOSTOM: May we then receive an accusation against a younger man or against any one at all without witnesses? Ought we not in all cases to come to our judgments with the greatest exactness? What then does he mean? Do not do this, he means, with any, but especially in the case of an elder. For he speaks of an elder not with respect to office but to age, since the young more easily fall into sin than their elders. HOMILIES ON 1 TIMOTHY 15.

CARE OF BOTH SEXES. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: It is the duty of the presbyter to function as the common father of both the men and women of the congregation; because the care of both sexes involves seeing and speaking discreetly with the women, pastoral work must be done with great reverence. Furthermore, the duty of presbyters involves the administration of penitential discipline on admitted sinners and the exercise of oversight where such discipline is substandard. For both reasons the presbyters are vulnerable to charges. COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY.

NO SECRET BACKBITING. JEROME: When a man is advanced in years, you must not be too ready to believe evil of him. His past life is itself a defense, and so also is his rank as an elder. Still, since we are human and sometimes in spite of the ripeness of our years fall into the sins of youth, if I do wrong and you wish to correct me, accuse me openly of my fault. Do not backbite me secretly. LETTERS 125.19.

1 Tim