---
title: "Commentary on Timothy, Titus and Philemon"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "William Pringle"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 64 of 77
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/64/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. William Pringle, Commentary on Timothy, Titus and Philemon, section 64. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/64/"
---

# Commentary on Timothy, Titus and Philemon

*John Calvin, tr. William Pringle*

Calvin on the pastoral letters and the letter to Philemon.

## 64. Chapter 3

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/64/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-timothy-titus-and-philemon/64/#p-N

[¶0] 1 It is a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth an excellent work.

[¶1] 2 A bishop, therefore, must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, temperate, modest not wickedly desirous of gain,

[¶2] 3 But mild, not quarrelsome, not covetous,

[¶3] 4 Who ruleth well his own house, who hath his children in subjection with all reverence.

[¶4] 5 (And if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take charge of the church of God?)

[¶5] 6 Not a novice, lest, being swelled with pride, he fall into condemnation of the devil.

[¶6] 7 He must also have a good report from those who are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

[¶7] 8 In like manner, the deacons must be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not wickedly desirous of gain;

[¶8] 9 Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.

[¶9] 10 And let these be first tried, next let them minister when they have been found blameless.

[¶10] 11 In like manner, their wives must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

[¶11] 12 Let the deacons be husbands of one wife, who rule their children and their houses in a becoming manner,

[¶12] 13 For they who have served well procure for themselves a good (or, honorable) degree, and much liberty in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

[¶13] 14 These things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee soon and,

[¶14] 15 If I shall delay, that thou mayest see how thou oughtst to conduct thyself in the house of God; which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

[¶15] 16 And, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifested in the flesh, seen by angels, preached to the Gentiles, obtained belief in the world, was received into glory.