For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
For a bishop must, х anupotakta (G506)]. The emphasis is on must. I said "blameless;" for the very idea of a "bishop" (an overseer of the flock: here substituted for 'presbyter,' Titus 1:5, to express his duties) involves the necessity for blamelessness, if he is to influence the flock. Ellicott quotes Dr. Pearson ('Minor Works,' 1: 271-278), that episcopal government was 'sub-apostolis, ab-apostolis, in-apostolis.'
Steward of God. The greater the master the greater the virtues required in His servant (Bengel) (1 Timothy 3:15): the church is God's house, over which the minister is a steward (Hebrews 3:2-6; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Peter 4:17). Ministers are not merely church officers, but God's stewards: church government is of divine appointment.
Not self-willed, х authadee (G829)] - 'self-pleasing:' unaccommodating to others. Contrast Titus 1:8: so Nabal (1 Samuel 25:1-44), self-loving, imperious. Such a spirit incapacitates for leading a willing flock, instead of driving.
Not soon angry - at what one ought not, at those with whom one ought not, and more than they ought. Not given to wine (notes, 1 Timothy 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:8).
Not given to filthy lucre - not making the Gospel a means of gain (cf. Genesis 14:23, Abraham; 2 Kings 5:16, Elisha: contrast Acts 8:18-20): in opposition to those "teaching ... for filthy lucre's sake" (Titus 1:11; 1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Peter 5:2).