The Successor of the Apostles — His Meekness and Forbearance
Successor of the Apostles
In the previous two issues, we spoke about the bishop’s office and his role in teaching. In this issue, we continue our discussion about the bishop.
The Successor of the Apostles — His Meekness and Forbearance
He who is entrusted with the souls of people must be meek, gentle, patient, and broad-minded—far from anger or wrath.
The Lord our God chose for His pastoral work men who were characterized by meekness and patience.
When Moses the prophet was still hot-tempered, severe, and harsh in his actions (Ex. 2:13), God did not entrust him yet with leading His people but allowed him first to learn gentleness and kindness while shepherding sheep. Later, the Lord used Moses, of whom the Scripture says:
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3).
Likewise was David the prophet, of whom the Psalmist says: “Lord, remember David and all his meekness” (Ps. 132:1).
And of Solomon it is written: “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29).
If general leadership requires gentleness, meekness, and longsuffering, how much more does the leadership of souls in the way of the Lord!
What Do the Holy Scriptures, Church Canons, and Rituals Say About the Bishop’s Meekness and Forbearance?
St. Paul says:
“A bishop then must be… gentle, not quarrelsome” (1 Tim. 3:3), and he advises his disciple Timothy:
“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11).
The Apostolic Didascalia (Book 3) also teaches that the bishop must be merciful, patient, compassionate, and peaceful.
He must not be angry,
nor stubborn, nor hasty, nor deceitful, nor a gossip, nor a striker.
The shepherd must never be abusive, for Scripture says:
“Bless and do not curse” (Rom. 12:14),
and “the mouth that blesses must not curse.”
St. James marvels, saying:
“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” (James 3:10–11).
And how frightening is the word of St. Paul:
“Nor revilers… will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:10).
The Apostolic Canons require that the bishop be compassionate, without sin, and without anger (Canon 13).
Canon 18 of the second book of the Apostolic Constitutions even forbids bishops and all clergy—with severe penalty—from striking or cursing anyone, believer or unbeliever, even if that person has sinned.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself calls us all, saying:
“Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29).
And every morning in the Prayer of the Morning (Prime), the Church reminds us to walk “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering” (Eph. 4:2).
The Apostle also exhorts us to be “gentle, showing all meekness to all men” (Titus 3:2), for gentleness, patience, and kindness are fruits of the Holy Spirit in a person (Gal. 5:22–23).
And “the wise man shows his works by good conduct in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
If meekness is a general virtue for all believers, how much more must it be for the successor of the apostles!
Among the twelve virtues sung for the bishop in celebrations are meekness, patience, and longsuffering.
How Should a Bishop Discipline a Sinner?
- It is the bishop’s right—and even his duty—to preach, rebuke, and admonish.
To what extent, then, must he preserve his meekness and gentleness when correcting sinners? - If the bishop becomes angry for the sake of truth, how should he express his anger—what form should it take, and to what limit? How can he do so without sinning?
- And if he must discipline sinners—how should he do it?
Is his authority in discipline absolute, or bound by conditions?
What are the conditions that should guide the bishop in his judgments?
Should he rush to pronounce judgment, or should he extend patience to the furthest possible limit?
Is it permissible for him to punish without investigation, without trial, and without hearing the defense of the accused?
And if a trial is necessary, what should its procedures and requirements be?
Wait for the answers to these questions in the next issue, God willing.
Article by His Grace Bishop Shenouda, Bishop of Education
El-Keraza Magazine, Issue No. 10, December 1965
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