Thomas Aquinas, on 1Tim 3:1

“A faithful saying: if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”

“Above, he instructed Timothy on matters pertaining to the true faith and the worship of God; here he treats about the appointment to ecclesiastical offices: first, the instruction; second, the occasion or need for this instruction, at these things I write to you. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he instructs him on matters pertaining to bishops; second, on matters pertaining to deacons, at deacons in like manner. But since Dionysius declares that there are three orders, namely, bishops who rule, priests who enlighten, and deacons who cleanse, why does the Apostle make no mention of priests? The answer is that priests are included under the term, bishop, not as though the two orders are not really distinct, but only nominally. For priest is the same as elder, and bishop the same as overseer. Hence priests and bishops are indiscriminately called both bishops and priests. In regard to this, first, he discusses the desire of attaining to the episcopate; second, he discusses the qualities of a bishop, at therefore, it behooves a bishop. He prefaces his instruction with the remark that it is a faithful saying, namely, what I am about to say or have said: these words are most faithful and true (Rev 22:6). If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires good work. From these words some have taken occasion to aspire to the office of bishop and priest without correctly understanding the import of what is said here. For the Apostle wishes to show what pertains to the episcopate, which is a Greek word: for scopos is the same as 'watcher,' and epi means 'above'; hence the word, episcopus means, as it were, one who watches from above: an overseer. Hence two things must be considered in the bishop, namely, his higher office and his beneficial actions for the faithful. For some are perhaps attracted by the circumstances of his office, namely, that he receives honor and has power. One who desires the episcopate for those reasons does not know what a bishop is. Consequently, the Apostle describes what a bishop is, and what a person who desires to be a bishop is really desiring, namely, good work. Hence he does not say that he has a good desire, but that he desires good work, namely, the welfare of the faithful. But is it lawful to desire the office of a bishop? Augustine says: no: the higher place without which the people cannot be ruled, even though it be properly kept and administered, it is unbecoming to desire. The reason being that no one should desire what exceeds his powers, as though it equalled his powers; otherwise he would be a fool. Horace says: one who is ignorant of warfare should abstain from taking up arms. Therefore, he can properly desire to be a bishop whose powers are equal to its demands. But no one is fit for this, because a prelate by reason of his lofty station and duties should excel all others in his manner of life and in his contemplation, so that in comparison to him the others are as a flock of sheep. For anyone to presume that he is fit for such a task would be guilty of extreme pride. Therefore, a person who desires to be a bishop is either attracted by its pomp and circumstances, and then he does not know what he is seeking, because this is not the episcopate; or he desires the work itself, and this is to be guilty of pride. Therefore, it should be refused, unless it is imposed. If you say that the episcopal state is more perfect than the religious state, and it is lawful to seek the latter; therefore, the other also. I answer that perfection is not the same in the one as in the other, because the episcopal state presupposes perfection; consequently, unless one is perfect he should not seek the office of bishop. But the religious state is a road to perfection; consequently, it does not require that one be already perfect, but that he strive to acquire it, if he does not have it. This is evident from John where the Lord does not say to Simon, if you wish to be perfect, feed my lambs (John 21:17), and from Matthew, where the Lord does say to the young man: if you will be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor (Matt 19:21). Therefore, the view to be taken of the office of bishop is that it is a good work: neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart (1 Pet 5:3). As if to say: if you desire the office of a bishop, this is what you are desiring, namely, good work.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.