A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
The existence of church organization, presbyters, and presbyteresses at Ephesus is presupposed (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 5:19). The directions here to Timothy, the apostolic delegate, are as to filling up vacancies among the bishops and deacons, or adding to their number. Fresh churches in the neighbourhood also would require presbyters and deacons. Episcopacy was adopted in apostolic times as the most expedient government, being most like Jewish institutions, and so offering less obstruction through Jewish prejudices to the progress of Christianity. The synagogue was governed by presbyters, "elders" (Acts 4:8; Acts 24:1), called also bishops or overseers. Three among them presided as "rulers of the synagogue," answering to modern "bishops" (Lightfoot, 'Horae'); one among them took the lead. Ambrose (in 'Amularius de Officiis,' 2: 13, and Bingham, 'Eccles. Antiq.,' 2: 11) says, 'Those now called bishops were originally called apostles.
But those who ruled the Church after the death of the apostles had not the testimony of miracles, and were in many respects inferior. Therefore, they thought that it was not decent to assume the name of apostles; but dividing the names, they left to presbyters that name, and they themselves were called bishops.' In the second century no one of the lower order was termed "bishop." In the New Testament there are traces of a superintending president-first an apostle, then an apostolic delegate, as Timothy and Titus, then an angel. "Presbyter" expresses the rank; "bishop," the office or duties. Timothy exercised the power at Ephesus which bishops recently exercised. The rule of angel-bishops over dioceses is simply an apostolic precedent, like the love-feasts, and kiss of charity, not divinely and lastingly obligatory. It binds congregations together, instead of being disconnected. When made an absolute law, it tends to spiritual despotism. The authority of a presiding pastor, the consent of presbytery, and that of the people, all combining, is the nearest approach to apostolic usage. Even where there was a real succession of divine origination, as the Aaronic priesthood, there was no infallibility. For if the disciples had submitted to the visible priesthood, they would have rejected Jesus.
Blameless, х anepileempton (G423)] - 'unexceptionable:' giving no just handle for blame.
Husband of one wife. Confuting the celibacy of Rome's priesthood. Though the Jews practiced polygamy, yet, as he is writing about a Gentile church, and as polygamy was never allowed among even laymen, the ancient interpretation that the prohibition is against polygamy in a candidate-bishop is not correct. It must mean that, though laymen might lawfully marry again, candidates for the episcopate or presbytery were better to be married only once. As in 1 Timothy 5:9 "wife of one man" implies a woman married but once, so "husband of one wife" must mean the same. The feeling among the Gentiles, as well as Jews (cf. Anna, Luke 2:36-37), against a second marriage would, for expediency and conciliation in matters indifferent, not involving compromise of principle, account for Paul's prohibition as to one so prominent as a bishop or a deacon. Hence, the stress laid in the context on the repute in which the candidate for orders is held among those over whom he is to preside (Titus 1:6). The council of Laodicea and the apostolic canons discountenanced second marriages, especially in candidates for ordination. Of course, second marriage being lawful, the undesirableness holds good only under special circumstances. Also, he who has a wife and virtuous family is to be preferred to a bachelor; for he who is himself bound to discharge the domestic duties will be more attractive to those who have similar ties, for he teaches them not only by precept, but also by example (1 Timothy 3:4-5). The Jews teach a priest should be neither unmarried nor childless, lest he be unmerciful (Bengel). So in the synagogue, 'no one shall offer up prayer in public unless he be married.' (In 'Colbo,' ch. 65:; Vitringa, 'Synagogue.')
Vigilant, х neefalion (G3524)] - sober; ever on the watch, as sober men alone can be, to foresee what ought to be done (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8).
Sober, х soofrona (G4998)] - soberminded: discreet.
Of good behaviour, х kosmion (G2887)] - 'order]y.' "Sober" refers to the inward mind; 'orderly,' to the outward behaviour, tone, look, gait, dress. The new man bears a sacred festival character, incompatible with all disorder, excess, laxity, assumption, harshness, and meanness (Philippians 4:8) (Bengel).
Apt to teach (2 Timothy 2:24).