Our apostles also knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over the office of oversight.
For this reason, having received complete foreknowledge, they appointed the men already mentioned and afterward gave a further provision: if these men should fall asleep, other approved men would succeed to their ministry.
Therefore we consider it unjust to remove from ministry those who were appointed by the apostles, or afterward by other reputable men with the consent of the whole Church, and who ministered blamelessly to the flock of Christ with humility, peacefully and without self-interest, and who for many years received good testimony from everyone.
For it will be no small sin for us if we remove from the office of oversight those who have blamelessly and reverently offered its gifts.
Blessed are those presbyters who have gone on ahead and had a fruitful and complete departure, for they have no fear that anyone will remove them from the place established for them.
For we see that you have removed some who were conducting themselves well from the ministry they had honored blamelessly.