This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
'Faithful is the saying.' A needful preface; for the office of a bishop in Paul's day, being attended with hardship and often persecution, would not seem to the world a desirable and "good work."
Desire, х oregetai (G3713)] - 'stretch one's self forward to grasp;' seeks after; distinct Greek from 'desireth' х epithumei (G1937)]. What one does voluntarily is more esteemed than what he does when asked (1 Corinthians 16:15): utterly distinct from ambition for office (James 3:1).
Bishop - overseer: as yet identical with "presbyter" (Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5-7). Originally overseers sent by the Athenian, state to subject cities. As the term "bishop" is from the Greeks, so "presbyter" from the Jews [Hazaqªniym] (Numbers 2:25).
Good [ kalou (G2570 )] honourable] work. Good men alone are to be entrusted with good work. Not the honour, but the work, is the prominent though (Acts 15:38; Philippians 2:30: cf. 2 Timothy 4:5). He who aims at the office must remember the high qualifications needed for its discharge.