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Monthly Question Page
Q. Could you explain 1 Timothy 5:24, “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after”?
A. This verse is directly connected with what Paul had said earlier in verse 22. “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” This is why Timothy was warned not to be hasty in identifying himself with new acquaintances or forming partnerships with those he had only known a short time.
There are two types of sins that are mentioned here. Some sins are “open.” There are those whose lives are, as the saying goes, ‘like an open book.’ Their deeds and failures are public knowledge and “reported commonly” (1 Corinthians 5:1). On the other hand, there are those who are able to cover their sins and lifestyle, and so their true character does not come to light until later on. If we are not careful, we can be defiled by association, or as it says, “be partaker of other men’s sins.” Many Christians have found themselves in compromising situations because they have not heeded this warning. The lesson is, we need to choose our friends and associates very carefully and in the fear of the Lord.
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