Annotation CCCI

”And others indeed [to be] pastors and masters [teachers].” — Ephesians 4:11

Whether he is to be constituted a bishop, who cannot teach.

Jerome, [in] the second book on the epistle to the Ephesians, explaining these particles, seems to affirm that no one is to be constituted a bishop and pastor of the Church, who cannot teach those whom he feeds; nor is anyone to be called by the name of “pastor,” who does not instruct the subject people: because the offices of a pastor and of a master are the same. His words run thus: “NOR truly is it to be thought, that, as in the [things] above he said some [to be] apostles, some prophets, some evangelists: so in the pastors and masters he set down diverse offices. For he does not say,

“—others indeed [to be] pastors, and others masters: so that he who is a pastor, ought also to be a master. Nor, in the churches, however holy he be, [ought anyone] to assume to himself the name of pastor, unless he can teach those whom he feeds — or else otherwise [understand it]: that one and the same [man], president of the church, be pastor and doctor. For the pastor of the sheep is the master of men. And below: ‘IF anyone, therefore, does not instruct the people subject to him, that out of the subject people the Church of Christ may be built up: he is to be called neither apostle, nor prophet, nor evangelist, nor pastor, nor master.’” These words of Jerome THERE ARE [some] who admonish are not to be so taken, that we believe no one to be a bishop and pastor of the Church, who does not teach, or cannot teach. For there are many true and excellent bishops, who, detained by legitimate impediments, are unable to teach. But it is to be judged, that he who takes care to teach neither by himself, nor by another, is unworthy of the dignity and name of pastor. But if he himself be not able to instruct the people, [yet] instructs his people in the doctrine of the Lord through fit ministers, he is to be judged to have satisfied the office of the pastoral care. For Theophylact also, expounding this passage, affirms that by “pastors” can be understood bishops, but by “doctors [masters]” deacons and the ministers of bishops, who instruct the people in the word of God.