{"author":null,"canonical_references":[],"database_sha256":"8cfbe7284c6936871d57c02dc6aa63ebbdfd4722422d539dd9f716e46e91112e","date_end":null,"date_start":null,"edition_year":null,"id":"sermonindex-ecf-1644","native_reference":{"book_number":610,"chapter_from":3,"chapter_to":3,"system":"MyBible module coordinates (mapping unverified)","verse_from":7,"verse_to":7},"public_import_allowed":false,"record_kind":"verse-keyed-module-record","review_required":["English edition and exact text","author/work attribution","dating","verse mapping and citation kind","reuse and attribution","split author quotations and deduplicate"],"review_status":"unreviewed","source_html":"<p><b>Augustine of Hippo</b>: The fruit represents a good character; not the praise given a man by a few just and wise people, but popular report, which bestows greatness and renown on a man, and which is not desirable for its own sake, but is essential to the success of good men in their endeavors to benefit their fellow-men. So the apostle says, that it is proper to have a good report of those that are without; for though they are not infallible, the lustre of their praise and the odor of their good opinion are a great help to the efforts of those who seek to benefit them. And this popular renown is not obtained by those that are highest in the Church, unless they expose themselves to the toils and hazards of an active life.<br/><i>— REPLY TO FAUSTUS THE MANICHAEAN 22.56</i></p><p><b>John Chrysostom</b>: For when St. Paul said, \"Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without,\" he does not do away with careful and exact scrutiny, nor does he set up this testimony as a chief sign of assurance about such men. But having listed many requirements already, he added this one afterwards, to show that we must not be content with it alone for this kind of election but only take it into account along with other considerations. For it often happens that popular report is false.<br/><i>— ON THE PRIESTHOOD 2.4</i></p><p><b>John Chrysostom</b>: \"Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.\"</p><p>This is rightly said, as he was certain to be reproached by them, and for the same reason perhaps he said, \"the husband of one wife,\" though elsewhere he says, \"I would that all men were even as I myself!\" that is, practicing continency. That he may not therefore confine them within too narrow a limit, by requiring an over-strict conversation, he is satisfied to prescribe moderate virtue. For it was necessary to appoint one to preside in every city, as he writes to Titus, \"That thou shouldest ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.\"</p><p>But what if he should have a good report, and fair reputation, and not be worthy of it? In the first place this would not easily happen. It is much for good men to obtain a good report among their enemies. But, in fact, he has not left this to stand by itself; a good report \"also,\" he says, that is, besides other qualities.</p><p>What then, if they should speak evil of him without a cause from envy, especially as they were Heathens? This was not to be expected. For even they will reverence a man of blameless life. Why then does he say, speaking of himself, \"Through evil report and good report\"? Because it was not his life that they assailed, but his preaching. Therefore he says, \"through evil report.\" They were slandered as deceivers and impostors, on account of their preaching, and this because they could not attack their moral characters and lives. For why did no one say of the Apostles, that they were fornicators, unclean, or covetous persons, but that they were deceivers, which relates to their preaching only? Must it not be that their lives were irreproachable? It is manifest.</p><p>Therefore so let us too live, and no enemy, no unbeliever, will be able to speak evil of us. For he whose life is virtuous, is revered even by them. For truth stops the mouths even of enemies.</p><p>But how does he \"fall into a snare\"? By falling often into the same sins, as those who are without. For if he be such a character, the evil one soon lays another snare for him, and they soon effect his destruction. But if he should have a good report from his enemies, much more will he have it from his friends. For that it is not likely that he, whose life is blameless, should be ill-reported of, we may infer from the words of Christ; \"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.\"</p><p>But what if one be falsely accused, and from peculiar circumstances be slandered? Well this is a possible case; but even such an one ought not to be promoted. For the result is much to be feared. Therefore it is said he should have \"a good report,\" for your good works are to shine. As therefore no one will say that the sun is dark, not even the blind, (for he will be ashamed to oppose the opinion of all,) so him that is of remarkable goodness no one will blame. And though, on account of his doctrines, the Heathen will often slander him, yet they will not attack his virtuous life, but will join with others in admiring and revering it.<br/><i>— Homily on 1 Timothy 10</i></p><p><b>Leo the Great</b>: At least the wishes of the citizens should have been waited for, and the testimony of the people: the opinion of those held in honour should have been asked, and the choice of the clergy—things which those who know the rules of the fathers are wont to observe in the ordination of priests: that the rule of the Apostle's authority might in all things be kept, which enjoins that one who is to be the priest of a church should be fortified, not only by the attestation of the faithful but also by the testimony of \"those who are without,\" and that no occasion for offence be left, when, in peace and in God-pleasing harmony with the full approval of all, one who will be a teacher of peace is ordained.<br/><i>— LETTERS 10.4</i></p><p><b>Oecumenius</b>: Moreover, he must have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.</p><p>from those outside. Outside, says the Greeks. Observe the precision. What then if he is bad, but has a good testimony? This is impossible. For it is beloved for the most upright to be testified to by enemies. But this, along with other things, requires good qualities; for he also shows a bond. But what if, being good, he is despised concerning his life? Difficult indeed, but such a one must not become a bishop. And if from those outside, much more from the brothers.</p><p>so that he may not fall into reproach. It is fitting for one who is bad to be reproached and insulted.</p><p>and the snare of the Devil. For if he is, he says, evil in some way, he easily sets another trap for him. For if he turns from being insulted and abused to sins, he falls into another passion of anger and resentment; for no one can endure insult without anger.<br/><i>— COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY</i></p><p><b>Origen of Alexandria</b>: Therefore let us see by what order the high priest is appointed. It says, \"Moses called together the congregation and said to them, 'This is the Word that the Lord commanded.' \" Although the Lord had given them commands about appointing the high priest and had made his choice, the congregation was still called together. For in ordaining a priest, the presence of the people is also required that all may know and be certain that from all the people one is chosen for the priesthood who is more excellent, who is more wise, who is more holy, who is more eminent in every virtue, lest afterwards, when he stands before the people, any hesitation or any doubt should remain. This is also what the apostle taught when he spoke about the ordination of a priest: \"It is necessary to have a good witness from those who are outside.\"<br/><i>— HOMILIES ON Leviticus 6.3.1</i></p><p><b>Theodore of Mopsuestia</b>: This reason is foremost, and in no way weaker than the ones already mentioned, that it is not prudent to entrust the care of others to such a one and to offer such great power so quickly. Why? Because he has not yet given proof of his life and manners, and it is not yet certain as to whether anything is left of his former life, since the devil has many devices to use against him. These are such that he may fall back into old sins. Indeed, because it seems that he has moved away from his former and worse state, he cannot be corrected in the direction of better things, for he is now seen to have had the nurture of others entrusted to him instead.<br/><i>— COMMENTARY ON 1 TIMOTHY</i></p>","source_html_sha256":"6bc2989a34cb4b9ffedcae620c953cdb78646950dcd7119a2a9da624d633dea3","source_module":"ECF","source_row_id":1644,"source_url":"https://www.sermonindex.net/commentary/ecf/","text_sha256":"9415b5cb84d2f4f0cddaf02f5babe56eab2fb4838dd20d0a88314a5dfc6881bf","translator":null,"work":null}