24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.” (1 Timothy 5:24–25 (ESV)
17 “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:17–19 (ESV)
By their fruits we can know the true nature of false teachers and false believers (Matt. 7:20). Believers in Christ must be on guard by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ through Scripture (2 Cor. 10:4-6).
Jesus taught that one may distinguish between good and false prophets (teachers) not only by the content of their teaching but also by the fruit of their lives. True believers in Christ bear good fruit. This would refer to the fruit of the Spirit. “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
Conversely, a false believer bears bad fruit. They gratify the desires of the flesh. The Apostle Paul wrote, 16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:16–21 (ESV)
Paul instructed Timothy about one of the most difficult tasks a pastor/elder may encounter. It is the task of confronting sin within the church. Such confrontation involves following biblical instructions (Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 6:1-2). It also involves godly discernment and wisdom because not all sin is immediately noticeable.
Paul acknowledged ““The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment.” Sins (ἁμαρτίαι; hamartiai) refers to evil and wrongdoing according to Scripture. Some people’s sins are conspicuous (πρόδηλοί; prodeloi) meaning to be clear and obvious. Such sins as unrighteous anger, wrath, clamor and evil speaking are clearly seen (Eph. 4:30-31). These obvious transgressions will precede an individual before they face the judgement of God.
Other sins are les conspicuous, as lust and evil thoughts. Paul stated, “but the sins of others appear later.” The phrase appear later (ἐπακολουθοῦσιν; epakolouthousin) will presently and actively become known eventually.
Likewise, there are some conspicuous good works. There are also discrete good works. Regardless, whatever is done for God’s glory cannot remain hidden.
Within the context, Paul wanted Timothy to be careful before laying hands on anyone to serve as a church elder (I Tim. 5:22). This was because appearances can be deceiving.
“It would seem that vs 24–25 follow from v 22. Paul mentions two different aspects of sins. Some sins are easily recognizable, and no-one is surprised at the subsequent judgment on them. Others are described as those which trail behind them. These sins may not be at once apparent but will nonetheless be revealed later. The judgment here is most probably the judgment of God rather than the judgment of Timothy and others. The setting of good deeds in contrast to sins is intended to highlight the need for caution in assessing good deeds as well as sins.”[1]
“For the encouragement of Timothy, who, as has been shown (see p. 34), was rather timid, Paul is trying to establish this point: if he will but exercise due caution, and will not be hasty in ordaining men to office (see verse 22), he will have good elders in the churches of Ephesus and vicinity; the rule being that even in the case of such men whose unfitness or fitness for office is not immediately clear, careful examination will lead to valid conclusions. And, in any case, Timothy will then not become involved in the sins of other men.”[2]
Today’s text provides good counsel for the church’s leadership. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1302–1303.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 187.
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