One that ruleth well his own house
His family, wife, children, and servants; and is not to be
understood of his body, and of keeping of that under, and of
preserving it chaste and temperate, as appears from what follows:
having his children in subjection with all
gravity;
keeping a good decorum in his family; obliging his children to
observe his orders, and especially the rules of God's word; and
not as Eli, who did not use his authority, or lay his commands
upon his sons, nor restrain them from evil, or severely reprove
them for their sins, but neglected them, and was too mild and
gentle with them; 1Sa 2:23 3:13
but like Abraham, who not only taught, but commanded his children
and his household, to keep the way of the Lord; ( Genesis
18:19 ) and so should those act who are in such an office as
is here treated of; and should not only rule well in their
families, preside over them, go before them, and set an example
to them, and keep their children in obedience and subjection; but
this should be "with all gravity": not only in the master of the
family, but in the children; who as their father is, or should
be, should be brought up in, and used to gravity in words and in
dress; and in the whole of their deportment and conversation.
This may he observed against the Papists, who forbid marriage to
the ministers of the Gospel.