Exodus — Chapter 18

Moses judged the people from morning until evening, to the exhaustion of all. Jethro's counsel to appoint subordinate judges illustrates the principle of subsidiarity in governance. Lapide notes that God uses natural wisdom (Jethro was a pagan) as the occasion of divine instruction. He applies this to bishops: no bishop can personally attend to every individual soul; he must appoint capable priests and deacons—failing this, either the pastor is crushed or the sheep are neglected.

Jethro advises Moses to choose able men, fearing God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and to place them as rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Lapide notes the four qualifications Jethro requires: (1) capable—natural gifts are necessary; (2) fearing God—supernatural motivation; (3) men of truth—intellectual integrity; (4) hating covetousness—detachment from the primary temptation of those who hold authority over goods and people. He cites Aquinas (Summa contra Gentes III, 81): just governance requires all four: talent, piety, honesty, and detachment.