Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 58

Paul Expounds to Timothy on the Sin's of Men and on the Good Works of Men in the Church of Jesus Christ

1 Timothy 5:24-25 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. KJV

Paul concludes this Chapter of his discourse to Brother Timothy by delineating, describing, and detailing for him and to him the sin's and the good works of men in the Church and he wants Timothy to use this knowledge and truth wisely in making his selections of which men are presently and in the future qualified to be a bondservant for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as he writes first these words, "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after." (1 Timothy 5:24) (KJV). Surely Timothy was aware of the distinction between some sin's of men, for it is very clear and evident that a man is an alcoholic if he is seen visibly intoxicated or drunk on many occasions, however, it is not so evident that a man is involved in an adulteress affair with another woman not his wife, for this sin can be hidden from public view and is done so by all men who have and are participating in said sin. Therefore, it is not Paul's purpose here so much as to educate Timothy on the different sin's of men, but to make him aware of his responsibility in weighing these facts in his selection of men to serve in leadership in Christ Church. The little English phrase 'open beforehand' is translated by the Greek word prodēlos which means plain before all men, that is, obvious: - evident, manifest (open) beforehand.

When Paul writes, 'going before to judgment', he means that those sins that are open beforehand of men in the Church who would be candidates for office should cause Timothy to act decisively in determining them not suitable for office because he has his evidence clearly present before him to analyze. However, when he writes, 'and some men they follow after', he is saying just the opposite of above and he means that the sins of some men who are candidates for office in the Church have their sin hidden from public view (but of course not from God's viewing) which makes it much more difficult for him to determine their suitability for office in the Church. So Paul wants Timothy's knowledge of these facts to help him in his decision making process. Note: "Paul is not asking Timothy then or any leader in Christ Church now or at any time to look for perfect men (for there are none), however, he is asking him to be discerning, distinguishing, and discreet in his selections choosing men who will not be greedy for filthy lucre/money or be filled with an inflated ego that would cause them to hurt the Body of Believers because these men will be the ones looking out for the spiritual welfare of every member of Christ Body under their Stewardship (Hebrews 13:17)."

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning this verse, "Some men are such open and notorious sinners, that there is no need of any inquiry about them, or any examination of them; or any witnesses to be called to their character, in order to pass judgment concerning them; they even prevent and supersede any formal process about them. With such persons, the Apostle intimates, Timothy could have no difficulty upon him, what to do with them; should they be proposed for the ministry, he would know at once what to do with them; namely, reject them. There would be no danger of his laying hands suddenly on such; for the following phrase, going before to judgment, is not to be understood of God's judgment, or of the last and future judgment of the great day, but of human judgment: it is true indeed that some men's sins are manifest and barefaced, before that day comes; while others are so private, that they will not be known till that day declares them, and brings to light the hidden things of darkness: and much such a way of speaking is used by the Jews; who say 'whoever committeth one transgression, (a notorious one,) in this world, it joins to him, and goes before him to the day of judgment.' And some men they follow after; that is, some men's sins follow after, is to be understood of their following after human judgment; or of their appearing in the light after judgment has been passed upon them, which before were hid: and the sense of the whole is this, that the characters of some men are so well known, and it is so plain a case, that they are destitute of the grace of God; have not ministerial gifts; or are unsound in the faith; or are men of immoral lives and conversations; so that there can be no dispute about them, whether they are to be admitted into the ministry of the Word or rejected. But there are other persons who may be proposed, whose sins or errors are so private, that they may not be known; and yet may appear afterwards; wherefore it is proper to take time, and not be too hasty, or lay hands suddenly on men."

Paul now declares the same thing concerning the 'good works' of men in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ as he writes these words, "Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid." (1 Timothy 5:25) (KJV). The English word 'Likewise' at the very beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word proagō which means as thus, that is, in the same way: - even so, likewise, after the same (in like) manner. The English word 'good' is translated by the Greek word kalos meaning beautiful, valuable, or virtuous spiritually and morally. The English word 'works' is translated by the Greek word ergon meaning deeds or actions performed. The little English phrase 'manifest beforehand' is translated by the Greek word prodēlos which means plain before all men, that is, obvious: - evident, manifest (open) beforehand. Therefore, we see then that Paul declares that just as the sins of some men in the Church are clearly visible, so too are the good works or the good deeds of some men clearly visible for all to see. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the clear visibility of some men's good works, "The characters of some men, on the other hand, are so fair and bright; and it is so clear a point, that they have received the grace of God in truth; and have a rich furniture for the ministry; and are sound in the doctrine of faith; and are men of such godly lives and conversations, that they prevent any formal inquiry, examination, and judgment; and there can be no difficulty in admitting them at once: and therefore the above rule is not designed for such persons, but to guard against those with whom things do not appear so very clear and manifest." When Paul writes, 'and they that are otherwise cannot be hid', he is declaring that the good deeds done by those who do not shout it from the mountain top will be made known by those that have and are benefiting from them in some way just as the Psalmist King David declared with these words, "Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. And He will make your uprightness {and} right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice {and} right as [the shining sun of] the noonday." (Psalm 37:5-6) (Amplified Bible).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…