Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil: Since Satan himself fell because of pride, he greatly longs to see church leaders fall into the same snare. The word "reproach" means, according to Vine, "defamation": "disgrace, slander, blame, accusation." Paul mentions the "snare of the devil" in 2 Timothy 2:26 : "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." Satan, because of his pride, came under judgment and condemnation. An elder should have a good reputation, not open to easy attack from the slanderer. Verses 6 and 7 reinforce here at the end of the list of qualifications for the elder, the very first requirement mentioned in verse 2, "without reproach," that is: blameless.