1 Timothy 3:7

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.

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.

Moreover, he must have a good testimony from those outside, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. from those outside. Outside, says the Greeks. Observe the precision. What then if he is bad, but has a good testimony? …

Then when he says, moreover, he must have a good testimony, he shows how the bishop must behave in relation to the multitude of unbelievers: first, he must have a good reputation: walk with wisdom toward those who are without (Col 4:5); having your conversation …

That is, from the pagans, so that they too would not reproach him for anything, but on the contrary, would respect him. But what if he appears good to them, yet in reality is not so? This will present a great difficulty. For enemies reproach …

He ought also to have a good report - To have had a fair character in time past. From them that are without - That are not Christians. Lest he fall into reproach - By their rehearsing his former life, which might discourage and prove a snare to him.

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without - Who are without the church; that is, of those who are not Christians. This includes, of course, “all” classes of those who are not Christians - pagans, infidels, Jews, moral people, and scoffers. The idea is, that he must have a fair reputation with them for integrity of character. His life must be in their view upright. He must not be addicted to anything which they regard as inconsistent with good morals.

a good report--Greek, "testimony." So Paul was influenced by the good report given of Timothy to choose him as his companion (Ac 16:2). of them which are without--from the as yet unconverted Gentiles around (1Co 5:12; 1Th 4:12), that they may be the more readily won to the Gospel (1Pe 2:12), and that the name of Christ may be glorified.

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The sixteenth requisite is, that he should have a good report of them which are without - That he should be one who had not been previously a profligate, or scandalous in his life. Such a person, when converted, may be a worthy private member of religious society; but I believe God rarely calls such to the work of the ministry, and never to the episcopate. Them that are without are the Jews, Gentiles, and the unconverted of all kinds. For the meaning of this term see the note on Col 4:5. Lest he fall into reproach - For his former scandalous life. And the snare of the devil - Snares and temptations, such as he fell in and fell by before. This is called the snare of the devil; for, as he well knows the constitution of such persons, and what is most likely to prevail, he infers that what was effectual before to their transgressing may be so still; therefore on all suitable occasions he tempts them to their old sins. Backsliders in general fall by those sins to which they were addicted previously to their conversion. Former inveterate habits will revive in him who does not continue to deny himself, and watch unto prayer. The snare of the devil. - Some would translate παγιδα του διαβολου, the snare of the accuser; and they give the same meaning to the word in 1Ti 3:6, because it is evident that διαβολους has that meaning, 1Ti 3:11, and our translators render it slanderers. Now, though διαβολος signifies an accuser, yet I do not see that it can, with any propriety, be restrained to this meaning in the texts in question, and especially as the word is emphatically applied to Satan himself; for he who, in Rev 12:10, is called the accuser of the brethren, is, in Rev 12:9, called the great dragon, the old serpent, the Devil, διαβολος, and Satan.