The Meaning of 1 Timothy 5:24 Explained

1 Timothy 5:24

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

YLT: of certain men the sins are manifest beforehand, leading before to judgment, and certain also they follow after;

Darby: Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after.

ASV: Some men's sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 Timothy 5:24 Mean?

Study Notes

sins
Sin.
sinned
Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία sin," "sinner," etc)., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations. Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil Psalms 51:1 ; Luke 15:29 , iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; Psalms 51:9 ; Romans 3:23 , missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority Ephesians 2:1 , lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy 1 Timothy 1:9 , unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity John 16:9 .
Sin originated with Satan Isaiah 14:12-14 , entered the world through Adam Romans 5:12 , was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; Romans 3:23 ; 1 Peter 2:22 , incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 3:19 ; Ezekiel 18:4 ; Ezekiel 18:20 ; Romans 6:23 and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Acts 4:12 availed of by faith Acts 13:38 ; Acts 13:39 . Sin may be summarized as threefold: An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God; a state, absence of righteousness; a nature, enmity toward God.

Context Summary

1 Timothy 5:17-25 - Impartial And Kindly Supervision
A man of years was always to be honored, and if he were called to rule in the church, he was to be treated with double honor; but none should be appointed to that sacred office hastily or with partiality. Purity, gravity, and abstinence from alcohol were prime requisites in a Christian minister then, as they are now. It is clear from 1 Timothy 5:23 that the Apostles and their helpers practiced total abstinence, or there had been no need for that special injunction to Timothy.
It is clear also from 1 Timothy 5:17-18 that the early Church was encouraged to support its ministers. The Apostle quotes the words of our Lord, to maintain this contention, Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7. The character of a minister might not be lightly aspersed. If anything had to be said, the informant must lodge his complaint in the presence of witnesses, who could be witnesses against him, if the charge were found to be baseless and frivolous. But public wrongs must be met by public rebuke that any suspicion of favoritism might be disarmed. No man, however, should be called to the sacred and responsible position of presbyter, unless he had been tested and approved. In forming judgments of the fitness of men for office, we must not judge wholly by appearance-good or bad, 1 Timothy 5:24-25. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 5

1  Rules to be observed in reproving
3  Of widows
17  Of elders
23  A precept for Timothy's health
24  Some men's sins go before unto judgment, and some men's follow after

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 5:24

Evident [προδηλοι]
“Openly plain,” “plain before all.” Old word, in N.T. only here and Hebrews 7:24. [source]
Going before unto judgment [προαγουσαι εις κρισιν]
See 1 Timothy 1:18 for προαγω — proagō The sins are so plain that they receive instant condemnation. And some men also they follow after (τισιν δε και επακολουτουσιν — tisin de kai epakolouthousin). Associative instrumental case τισιν — tisin with επακολουτουσιν — epakolouthousin for which verb see 1 Timothy 5:10, “dog their steps” (Parry) like 1 Peter 2:21, not clearly manifest at first, but come out plainly at last. How true that is of secret sins. [source]
And some men also they follow after [τισιν δε και επακολουτουσιν]
Associative instrumental case τισιν — tisin with επακολουτουσιν — epakolouthousin for which verb see 1 Timothy 5:10, “dog their steps” (Parry) like 1 Peter 2:21, not clearly manifest at first, but come out plainly at last. How true that is of secret sins. [source]
Open beforehand [προδηλοί]
A.V. wrong in giving πρὸ a temporal force, whereas it merely strengthens δηλοί evidentmanifest. The meaning is openly manifested to all eyes. In N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 5:25, and Hebrews 7:14. In lxx, see 2 Maccabees 3:17; 14:39. [source]
Going before to judgment [προάγουσαι εἰς κρίσιν]
Προάγειν , oP. In N.T. habitually with a local meaning, either intransitive, as Matthew href="/desk/?q=mt+2:9&sr=1">Matthew 2:9; Matthew 14:22; Mark 11:9; or transitive, as Acts 12:6; Acts 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 2 Thessalonians 1:5. [source]
They follow after [ἐπακολουθοῦσιν]
The verb only here, 1 Timothy 5:24, 1 Peter 2:21, and (the disputed) Mark 16:20. The sins follow up the offender to the bar of judgment, and are first made openly manifest there. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 5:24

1 Thessalonians 2:7 As when a nurse cherishes her own children [ως εαν τροπος ταλπηι τα εαυτης τεκνα]
This comparative clause with ως εαν — hōs ean (Mark 4:26; Galatians 6:10 without εαν — ean or αν — an) and the subjunctive (Robertson, Grammar, p. 968) has a sudden change of the metaphor, as is common with Paul (1 Timothy 5:24; 2 Corinthians 3:13.) from babes to nurse (τροπος — trophos), old word, here only in the N.T., from τρεπω — trephō to nourish, τροπη — trophē nourishment. It is really the mother-nurse “who suckles and nurses her own children” (Lightfoot), a use found in Sophocles, and a picture of Paul‘s tender affection for the Thessalonians. Ταλπω — Thalpō is an old word to keep warm, to cherish with tender love, to foster. In N.T. only here and Ephesians 5:29. [source]
1 Timothy 5:24 They follow after [ἐπακολουθοῦσιν]
The verb only here, 1 Timothy 5:24, 1 Peter 2:21, and (the disputed) Mark 16:20. The sins follow up the offender to the bar of judgment, and are first made openly manifest there. [source]
1 Timothy 5:10 Diligently followed [ἐπακο ουθησεν]
Comp. 1 Timothy 5:24. Ἑπὶ afteror close upon. oP. Once in the disputed verses at the end of Mark (Mark 16:20), and 1 Peter 2:21. Comp. the use of διώκειν pursue Romans 9:30; Romans 12:13; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:15. [source]
1 Timothy 1:3 Some [τισὶν]
Note the indefinite designation of the errorists, and comp. 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:15, 1 Timothy 5:24; 1 Timothy 6:21. The expression is contemptuous. It is assumed that Timothy knows who they are. This is after the Pauline manner. See Galatians 1:7; Galatians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 15:12; 2 Corinthians 3:1; Colossians 2:4, Colossians 2:8. [source]
1 Timothy 5:10 If she hath relieved the afflicted [επαρκεω]
Same condition and tense of ει επηκολουτησεν — eparkeō to give sufficient aid, old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 5:16. Experience that qualified her for eleemosynary work. If she hath diligently followed (επακολουτεω — ei epēkolouthēsen). Same condition and tense of επι — epakoloutheō old verb, to follow close upon (epi). So here, 1 Timothy 5:24; 1 Peter 2:21. In a word such a widow must show her qualifications for leadership as with bishops and deacons. [source]
1 Timothy 5:10 If she hath diligently followed [επακολουτεω]
Same condition and tense of επι — epakoloutheō old verb, to follow close upon So here, 1 Timothy 5:24; 1 Peter 2:21. In a word such a widow must show her qualifications for leadership as with bishops and deacons. [source]
1 Timothy 5:10 If she hath used hospitality to strangers [χενοδοκεω]
First aorist again and same condition. Late form (Dio Cassius) of old verb χενους δεχομαι — xenodokeō (Herodotus), to welcome strangers Only here in N.T. Hospitality another qualification for such leadership (1 Timothy 3:2). If she hath washed the saints‘ feet (νιπτω — ei hagiōn podas enipsen). Same condition and tense of νιζω — niptō (old form ει τλιβομενοις επηρκεσεν — nizō), common in N.T. (John 13:5). Proof of her hospitality, not of its being a church ordinance. If she hath relieved the afflicted Same condition and tense of ει επηκολουτησεν — eparkeō to give sufficient aid, old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 5:16. Experience that qualified her for eleemosynary work. If she hath diligently followed (επακολουτεω — ei epēkolouthēsen). Same condition and tense of επι — epakoloutheō old verb, to follow close upon (epi). So here, 1 Timothy 5:24; 1 Peter 2:21. In a word such a widow must show her qualifications for leadership as with bishops and deacons. [source]
Hebrews 7:18 There is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before [ἀθέτησις μὲν γὰρ γίνεται προαγούσης ἐντολῆς]
Verily is superfluous. Ἀθέτησις only here and Hebrews 9:26; a very few times in lxx: The fundamental idea is the doing away of something established ( θετόν ). The verb ἀθετεῖν tomake void, do away with, is common in N.T. and in lxx, where it represents fifteen different Hebrew words, meaning to deal falsely, to make merchandise of, to abhor, to transgress, to rebel, to break an oath, etc. The noun, in a technical, legal sense, is found in a number of papyri from 98 to 271 a.d., meaning the making void of a document. It appears in the formula εἰς ἀθίτησιν καὶ ἀκύρωσιν forannulling and canceling. Προαγούσης ἐντολῆς rend. of a foregoing commandment. The expression is indefinite, applying to any commandment which might be superseded, although the commandment in Hebrews 7:16is probably in the writer's mind. Foregoing, not emphasizing mere precedence in time, but rather the preliminary character of the commandment as destined to be done away by a later ordinance. With foregoing comp. 1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Timothy 5:24. [source]
Hebrews 7:14 Evident [πρόδηλον]
Obvious. See on 1 Timothy 5:24. [source]
1 Peter 2:21 Because [οτι]
The fact that Christ suffered Present active participle of the late Ionic verb υπολιμπανω — hupolimpanō (in the papyri) for the common υπολειπω — hupoleipō to leave behind (under), here only in N.T. υπογραμμος — Hupogrammos is also a late and rare word (from υπογραπω — hupographō to write under), a writing-copy for one to imitate, in 2 Macc. 2:28; Philo, Clement of Rome, here only in N.T. Clement of Alex. (Strom. V. 8. 49) uses it of the copy-head at the top of a child‘s exercise book for the child to imitate, including all the letters of the alphabet. The papyri give many examples of υπογραπη — hupographē and υπογραπω — hupographō in the sense of copying a letter.That ye should follow his steps Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first aorist active subjunctive of επακολουτεω — epakoloutheō old verb, to follow closely upon, with the associative-instrumental (1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:24) or the locative here. Ιχνος — Ichnos is old word (from ικω — hikō to go), tracks, footprints, in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 12:18; Romans 4:12. Peter does not mean that Christ suffered only as an example (1 Peter 1:18), but he did leave us his example for our copying (1 John 2:6). [source]
1 Peter 2:21 That ye should follow his steps [ινα επακολουτησητε τοις ιχνεσιν αυτου]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first aorist active subjunctive of επακολουτεω — epakoloutheō old verb, to follow closely upon, with the associative-instrumental (1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:24) or the locative here. Ιχνος — Ichnos is old word (from ικω — hikō to go), tracks, footprints, in N.T. only here, 2 Corinthians 12:18; Romans 4:12. Peter does not mean that Christ suffered only as an example (1 Peter 1:18), but he did leave us his example for our copying (1 John 2:6). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 5:24 mean?

Of some men the sins manifest are going before [them] to judgment of some however also they appear later
Τινῶν ἀνθρώπων αἱ ἁμαρτίαι πρόδηλοί εἰσιν προάγουσαι εἰς κρίσιν τισὶν δὲ καὶ ἐπακολουθοῦσιν

Τινῶν  Of  some 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
ἀνθρώπων  men 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
ἁμαρτίαι  sins 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
πρόδηλοί  manifest 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: πρόδηλος  
Sense: openly evident, known to all, manifest.
προάγουσαι  going  before  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: προάγω  
Sense: to lead forward, lead forth.
κρίσιν  judgment 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: κρίσις  
Sense: a separating, sundering, separation.
τισὶν  of  some 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἐπακολουθοῦσιν  they  appear  later 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐπακολουθέω  
Sense: to follow (close) upon, follow after.