1 Timothy 5:24

It is most natural to regard 1 Timothy 5:24-25 as a review under a fresh aspect of the two main duties urged upon Timothy in the paragraph; just as in the former paragraph, 1 Timothy 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:16 is similarly related to its preceding context. The meaning thus will be; -I have bidden you in rebuking your presbyters "to be so merciful that you be not too remiss, so to minister discipline that you forget not mercy"; remember how quickly sometimes error stands "self-condemned," how slow at other times its evil is in working out. Again, in rewarding your presbyters I have bidden you, as a wise and faithful servant, "give to God's family their portion in due season," by deserved promotion and preferment; remember how readily some clerical "good work" comes to the front, while yet the more quiet pastoral service cannot be left in the dark and cold."

are open beforehand Better, as R.V., are evident; the preposition in the compound adjective only signifies -at once" -before one's eyes;" the word is used just as we use -evident" in geometrical proof, in Hebrews 7:14, -For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda."

going before to judgment The verb is common in the Gospels in its simple sense, e.g. Mark 11:9, -they that went before and they that followed;" here, somewhat metaphorically, it describes the obtrusive forward character of -advanced" teaching and -fast" living; cf. 2 John 1:9, -every one that goeth forward," -that advances in bold confidence beyond the limits set to the Christian Faith" (Bp Westcott). The judgment is that of Timothy and of the Church. The clause seems to recur compressed into one word, Titus 3:11, -such an one sinneth, being self-condemned" or -self-judged." Our metaphors - patenterror," - rampantvice," are modern representatives of the two phrases.

somemen they follow after More exactly, some men they only follow after; the evil consequences and evil repute are slow in attaching themselves.