John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 3:5

"(but if a man knoweth not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" — 1 Timothy 3:5 (ASV)

And if anyone does not know how to rule his own house. This argument, drawn from the lesser to the greater, is self-evident: he who is unfit for governing a family will be altogether unable to govern a people. Furthermore, it is evident that he lacks the virtues necessary for that purpose. What authority will he have over the people, since his own house makes him contemptible?