But hospitable, devoted to kindness Hence it is evident how destructive is that plague which tears the Church by quarrels. With this vice he contrasts, first, docility, and next, gentleness and modesty towards all; for a bishop will never teach well, who is not also ready to learn. Augustine praises highly a saying of Cyprian: "Let him be as patient to learn as skillful to teach." Besides, bishops often need advice and warnings. If they refuse to be admonished, if they reject good advices, they will immediately fall headlong to the grievous injury of the Church. The remedy against these evils, therefore, is, that they be not wise to themselves. I have chosen to translate philagathon devoted to kindness, rather than with Erasmus, "a lover of good things;" for this virtue, accompanied by hospitality, appears to be contrasted by Paul with covetousness and niggardliness. He calls that man just, who lives among men without doing harm to any one. Holiness has reference to God; for even Plato draws this distinction between the two words.

But a lover of hospitality - Notes, 1-Timothy 3:2.
A lover of good men - Margin, "or things." The Greek (φιλάγαθος philagathos) means, a lover of good, and may apply to any thing that is good. It may refer to good men, as included under the general term good; and there is no more essential qualification of a bishop than this. A man who sustains the office of a minister of the gospel, should love every good object, and be ever ready to promote it; and he should love every good man, no matter in what denomination or country he may be found - no matter what his complexion, and no matter what his rank in life; compare the notes at Philippians 4:8.
Sober - Notes, 1-Timothy 1:2.
Just - Upright in his dealings with all. A minister can do little good who is not; compare the notes at Philippians 4:8.
Holy - Pious, or devout. Faithful in all his duties to God; Notes, 1-Timothy 2:8.
Temperate - ἐγκρατῆ egkratē. Having power or control over all his passions. We apply the term now with reference to abstinence from intoxicating liquors. In the Scriptures, it includes not only that, but also much more. It implies control over all our passions and appetites. See it explained in the notes at Acts 24:25; compare 1-Corinthians 7:9; 1-Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23.

A lover of hospitality - Φιλοξενον· A lover of strangers. See the note on 1-Timothy 3:2. Instead of φιλοξενον, one MS. has φιλοπτωχον, a lover of the poor. That minister who neglects the poor, but is frequent in his visits to the rich, knows little of his Master's work, and has little of his Master's spirit.
A lover of good men - Φιλαγαθον· A lover of goodness or of good things in general.
Sober - Prudent in all his conduct. Just in all his dealings. Holy in his heart.
Temperate - self-denying and abstemious, in his food and raiment; not too nice on points of honor, nor magisterially rigid in the exercise of his ecclesiastical functions. Qualifications rarely found in spiritual governors.

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, (k) sober, just, holy, temperate;
(k) Cautious, and of a sound judgment, and of a singular example of moderation.

But a lover of hospitality,.... See Gill on 1-Timothy 3:2.
a lover of good men, or "of good"; the Syriac version renders it, "of good things"; as prayer, preaching, reading, meditation, spiritual conversation, and every religious exercise: or "of good men"; for such an elder or bishop has chiefly to do and converse with; and if he is not a lover of them, their company will be disagreeable to him, and he will be of no advantage to them; and if he does not love the souls of men, he will not naturally care for their state, or be concerned for their good.
Sober: in body, using moderation in diet and dress; and in mind, being prudent, modest, and humble, and thinking soberly of himself, and others, as he ought.
Just; righteous in his dealings with men, giving to everyone their due; upright and sincere in his conversation with the saints; and faithful in his counsel, admonitions, and reproofs.
Holy; devout towards God, constant in all religious exercises in the closet, family, and church; and living soberly, righteously, and godly in the world.
Temperate; in eating and drinking; continent from the lusts of the flesh; and even abstaining from those things which might be lawfully used, though inexpedient, for the sake of the weak, the peace of the church, and the glory of God.

lover of hospitality--needed especially in those days (Romans 12:13; 1-Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:2; 1-Peter 4:9; 3-John 1:5). Christians travelling from one place to another were received and forwarded on their journey by their brethren.
lover of good men--Greek, "a lover of (all that is) good," men or things (Philippians 4:8-9).
sober--towards one's self; "discreet"; "self-restrained" [ALFORD], (see on 1-Timothy 2:9).
just--towards "men."
holy--towards God (see on 1-Thessalonians 2:10).
temperate--"One having his passions, tongue, hand and eyes, at command" [CHRYSOSTOM]; "continent."