Ezekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - Titus 1:7 - 1:8

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Ezekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - Titus 1:7 - 1:8


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Vers, 7, 8. For a pastor must be blameless äåῖ åἶíáé , ought to be so, should not be a pastor unless he is blameless—as Gods steward: showing at once the original identity of elder and episcopos, by the substitution here of the one name for the other, and the weighty reason why he should be of irreproachable character, since by the very nature of his office he has to manage the things of God (Luk_12:42; 1Ti_3:15). The statement of Pearson, quoted here with approbation by Ellicott, that “Episcopal government was under the apostles, from the apostles, in the apostles,” is peculiarly out of place in connection with this passage, which speaks only of a constitution by presbyters settled over each church, and these presbyters, each and all, bearing the name of bishop—pastor, or overseer of the flock. But see at 1Ti_3:1, 1Ti_3:10; also the Essay of Lightfoot, appended to his commentary on Philippians, on The Christian Ministry.

Not self-willed, not soon angry (irascible, ὀñãßëïí ), not a brawler, not a striker, not greedy of gain; ver. 8, but hospitable, a lover of good, discreet, righteous, holy, temperate. Again, very much the same qualifications as were associated with the pastoral office in the First Epistle to Timothy. They indicate one possessed of that prudence and self-control, that uprightness of character, that kind, generous, disinterested, gracious disposition, which were fitted to command the respect, and secure the confidence and affection of a Christian community,—one altogether such as might serve for a pattern to the flock over whom he was appointed to preside, and guide their affairs with discretion.