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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 5:24 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Ti 5:24 |
King James |
Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Two kinds of sins are specified: those palpably manifest (so the Greek for "open beforehand" ought to be translated; so in Heb 7:14, it is translated "evident"; literally, "before" the eyes, that is, notorious), further explained as "going before to judgment"; and those which follow after the men ("some men they, that is, their sins, follow after"), namely, not going beforehand, loudly accusing, but hidden till they come to the judgment: so Ti1 5:25, the good works are of two classes: those palpably manifest (translate so, instead of "manifest beforehand") and "those that are otherwise," that is, not palpably manifest. Both alike "cannot be hid"; the former class in the case of bad and good are manifest already; the latter class in the case of both are not manifest now, but shall be so at the final judgment.
going before to judgment--as heralds; crying sins which accuse their perpetrator. The connection seems to me this: He had enjoined Timothy, Ti1 5:20, "Rebuke them that sin before all": and in Ti1 5:22, "Neither be partaker of other men's sins," by ordaining ungodly men; having then by a digression at the clause, "keep thyself pure," guarded against an ascetical error of Timothy in fancying purity consisted in asceticism, and having exhorted him to use wine for strengthening him in his work, he returns to the subject of his being vigorous as an overseer in rebuking sin, whether in presbyters or people, and in avoiding participation in men's sins by ordaining ungodly candidates. He says, therefore, there are two classes of sins, as there are two classes of good works: those palpably manifest, and those not so; the former are those on which thou shouldest act decidedly at once when called on, whether to rebuke in general, or to ordain ministers in particular; as to the latter, the final judgment alone can decide; however hidden now they "cannot be hid" then. This could only be said of the final judgment (Co1 4:5; therefore, ALFORD'S reference of this verse to Timothy's judgment in choosing elders must be wrong); all judgments before then are fallible. Thus he implies that Timothy can only be responsible if he connive at manifest, or evident sins; not that those that are otherwise shall escape judgment at last: just as in the case of good works, he can only be responsible for taking into account in his judgments those which are patent to all, not those secret good works which nevertheless will not remain hidden at the final judgment. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Some men's sins are open beforehand - This declaration, though it assumes a general form, is to be taken evidently in connection with the general subject of introducing men to the ministry Ti1 5:22; and Ti1 5:23 is to be regarded as a parenthesis. The apostle had given Timothy a charge Ti1 5:22 respecting the character of those whom he should ordain. He here says, in reference to that, that the character of some people was manifest. There was no disguise. It was evident to all what it was, and there could be no danger of mistake respecting it. Their conduct was apparent to all. About such people he ought not to hesitate a moment, and, no matter what their talents, or learning, or rank in the community, he ought to have no participation in introducing them to the ministry.
Going before to judgment - Their character is well understood. There is no need of waiting for the day of judgment to know what they are. Their deeds so precede their own appearance at the judgment-bar, that the record and the verdict can be made up before they arrive there, and there will be scarcely need even of the formality of a trial. The meaning here is, that there could be no doubt about the character of such people, and Timothy should not be accessory to their being introduced into the office of the ministry.
And some men they follow after - That is, their character is not fully understood here. They conceal their plans. They practice deception. They appear different from what they really are. But the character of such people will be developed, and they will be judged according to their works. They cannot hope to escape with impunity. Though they have endeavored to hide their evil deeds, yet they will follow after them to the judgment-bar, and will meet them there. The meaning, in this connection, seems to be, that there ought to be circumspection in judging of the qualifications of men for the office of the ministry. It ought not to be inferred from favorable appearances at once, or on slight acquaintance, that they are qualified for the office - for they may be of the number of those whose characters, now concealed or misunderstood, will be developed only on the final trial. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
sins
Sin
(See Scofield) - (Rom 3:23). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Open beforehand (προδηλοί)
A.V. wrong in giving πρὸ a temporal force, whereas it merely strengthens δηλοί evident, manifest. The meaning is openly manifested to all eyes. In N.T. only here, Ti1 5:25, and Heb 7:14. In lxx, see Judith 8:29; 2 Macc. 3:17; 14:39.
Going before to judgment (προάγουσαι εἰς κρίσιν)
Προάγειν, oP. In N.T. habitually with a local meaning, either intransitive, as Mat 2:9; Mat 14:22; Mar 11:9; or transitive, as Act 12:6; Act 17:5. The meaning here is that these open sins go before their perpetrator to the judgment-seat like heralds, proclaiming their sentence in advance. Κρίσιν, not specifically of the judgment of men or of the final judgment of God, or of the sentence of an ecclesiastical court - but indefinitely. The writer would say: no judicial utterance is necessary to condemn them of these sins. The word in Paul, only Th2 1:5.
They follow after (ἐπακολουθοῦσιν)
The verb only here, Ti1 5:24, Pe1 2:21, and (the disputed) Mar 16:20. The sins follow up the offender to the bar of judgment, and are first made openly manifest there. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Some men's sins are manifest beforehand - Before any strict inquiry be made. Going before to judgment - So that you may immediately judge them unworthy of any spiritual office. And some they - Their sins. Follow after - More covertly. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Some men's sins are open beforehand - In appointing men to sacred offices in the Church, among the candidates Timothy would find,
1. Some of whom he knew nothing, but only that they professed Christianity; let such be tried before they are appointed.
2. Some of whose faith and piety he had the fullest knowledge, and whose usefulness in the Church was well known.
3. Some whose lives were not at all or but partially reformed, who were still unchanged in their hearts, and unholy in their lives.
The sins of these latter were known to all; they go before to judgment; with them he could have no difficulty. With the first class he must have more difficulty; there might have been hypocrites among them, whose sins could not be known till after they were brought into the sacred office. The characters of all should be fully investigated. The sins of some, before this investigation, might be so manifest as to lead at once εις κρισιν to condemnation. The sins of others might be found out after, or in consequence of, this investigation; and those that were otherwise could not be long hid from his knowledge, or the knowledge of the Church. On all these accounts the exhortation is necessary: Lay hands suddenly on no man. |
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.