“(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)”
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? — the rhetorical question underscores the analogy: household and church share structural and relational dynamics. The episkopos's private virtue directly enables public ministry.
Church Fathers on 1 Timothy 3:5
As now proceeding to discourse of the Episcopal office, he sets out with showing what sort of a person a Bishop ought to be. And here he does not do it as in the course of his exhortation to Timothy, but addresses all, and instructs others through him. And what says he? “If a man desire the office of a Bishop,” I do not blame him, for it is a work of protection. If any one has this desire, so that he does not covet the dominion and authority, but wishes to protect the Church,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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