1 Timothy 5:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

NIV: The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.

NASB: The sins of some people are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

CSB: Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later.

NLT: Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.

KJV: Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

NKJV: Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.

Verses 24 and 25 form a conclusion to Paul's section regarding the treatment of elders in the church. Four categories of people are mentioned, with the first two groups in this verse. It's important to keep the immediate context in mind, which is really that of verse 22. There, Timothy is warned to be cautious in who he installs as an elder, while avoiding impurity through sins.

First, Paul writes about those whose sins are obvious and known to all. This means those whose flaws and errors are already known to the world, before being revealed and judged in eternity (Matthew 12:36). The same general idea applies also to good works: some are clear and obvious to all.

The second category refers to those sins which are hidden, obscured, or simply undiscovered. This is the primary reason Timothy was commanded not to be in a careless rush when choosing elders (1 Timothy 5:22). Unlike elders worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17), some men were especially clever at concealing their sins. In their case, their sins "appear later," meaning they will eventually be known, either in this life or after death.

First Timothy 5:17–25 provides guidelines on how a church should honor elders. It also refers to the proper way to discipline them, if this becomes necessary. Those who devote themselves to serving the church should be supported, meaning paid, so they can fully focus on the needs of the congregation. Accusations should only be taken seriously when there is sufficient evidence. And elders who are found in sin should be publicly rebuked. Paul also warns Timothy not to be too hasty in assigning elders, since some men's sins are hidden and hard to detect.

First Timothy chapter 5 focuses on Timothy's supervision of those within the church. This includes a respectful attitude towards both men and women, young and old. A large portion of the chapter deals with how to care for widows. The theme of Paul's instruction is prioritizing those who are truly in need, and not enabling those who are merely lazy. Timothy is also instructed on how to screen out baseless accusations against an elder, and how to properly discipline them if they are found in sin. With that in mind, Timothy is also warned not to be reckless in who he appoints as an elder.

Prior passages explained the burden placed on Timothy and other church leaders. In this chapter, the emphasis is on how Timothy is to treat others in the congregation. A large portion of this refers to prioritizing charity for widows. This passage will more or less complete Paul's specific instructions to Timothy in this letter. The next (final) chapter will build on all of these themes with a command for Timothy to make the most of his spiritual service.

First Timothy is one of Paul's three ''Pastoral Epistles.'' Paul's other letters, such as Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians, are meant for a broader audience. First Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are written to specific people whom Paul is advising on how to best lead their local churches. These three letters present a close look at the form and function of church leadership. First Timothy, like 2 Timothy and Titus, is less formal and systematic, and more personal. This gives great insight into the way pastors, deacons, and elders ought to prioritize their time and energy.