Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 5:25

"In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid." — 1 Timothy 5:25 (ASV)

The sins of some people are clearly evident; these precede a person to judgment. The less obvious sins of others “trail behind them”—but finally catch up. Similarly, good deeds are clearly evident, “and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” In the context about avoiding hasty ordination, Paul is saying that some people’s sins are so evident that there is no question about rejecting them as candidates. Their sins precede them to judgment—first Timothy’s judgment and finally divine judgment. The sins of others do not show up so soon but careful investigation will discover them. In the same way, the good deeds of qualified candidates will be easily seen. Those that seem less obvious will still appear on further search; they cannot be hidden.