This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer{Or, bishop}, he desires a good work.
What is covered by the expression "good work"? We catch a glimpse of what that means in Acts 20:28 : "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." The good work done by the elders here was the work of "feeding the church." Elders do a "good work" when they meet the needs of the members, the "flock of God." Those needs are many, and hard work is required for those needs to be met. As God’s overseers, the elders are to do some of the following: teaching, leading, protecting, disciplining, comforting, providing security, soothing the troubled, forgiving, handling disputes, evaluating weaknesses, ministering to the sick, counseling, and delegating responsibilities. These responsibilities and more fall into hands of the overseer.