“Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24-25),
The premise of Paul’s words here is very simple, you can’t hide either your obedience or disobedience from God! “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’”… “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Romans 2:5-6,16).
So, the words “clearly evident” in the text has reference to the appearance of our actions to other men. Let us paraphrase the statement. (Some sins are obvious to men, and we know about them before judgment. But some sins that men commit may not be known by men, though they are obvious to God and will be judged. Sometimes everyone notices good works that you do. Whether or not that is so, God notices).
SOME TRUTHS TO TAKE FROM THIS PASSAGE:
- You can fool all men some of the time. You can fool some men all of the time. You may even can fool all men all of the time. But, you can’t fool God.
- So, hypocrisy might give you an advantage with men, but it is condemned by God.
- God expects us to try to look out for our brethren, and save them from sin (cf. James 5:19-20. But, ultimately, you are judged by your own actions, not the failure of others to see and deal with them.
- It is possible for men to be wrong about the actions of others. We may think them to be in sin, and refuse fellowship. Or think they are righteous when they are not. (Think of the initial refusal of fellowship to Paul by the church in Jerusalem, Acts 9:26-27). We don’t have the right to fellowship those who God rejects, and we don’t have the right to refuse those who God accepts. We have to try to get it right, but ultimately a person’s standing with God is dependent upon him alone!
Paul said, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). Something good for all of us to remember!
