The Meaning of 1 Timothy 5:25 Explained

1 Timothy 5:25

KJV: Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

YLT: in like manner also the right works are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.

Darby: In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.

ASV: In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Likewise  also  the good  works  [of some] are  manifest beforehand;  and  they that are  otherwise  cannot  be hid. 

What does 1 Timothy 5:25 Mean?

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 5:25

Such as are otherwise [τα αλλως εχοντα]
“Those (deeds, εργα — erga) which have it otherwise.” That is good deeds not clearly manifest. [source]
Cannot be hid [κρυβηναι ου δυνανται]
Second aorist passive infinitive of κρυπτω — kruptō There is comfort here for modest preachers and other believers whose good deeds are not known and not blazoned forth. They will come out in the end. See Matthew 5:14-16. [source]
Otherwise [ἅλλως]
N.T.oNot, otherwise than good, but otherwise than manifest. [source]
Be hid [κρυβῆναι]
In Paul only Colossians 3:3. The good works, although not conspicuous ( πρόδηλα ), cannot be entirely concealed. Comp. Matthew 5:14-16. It has been suggested that these words may have been intended to comfort Timothy in his possible discouragement from his “often infirmities.” von Soden thinks they were meant to encourage him against the suspicion awakened by his use of wine. By persevering in his temperate habits ( οἴνῳ ὀλίγῳ ) it will become manifest that he is no wine-bibber. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 5:25

1 Timothy 5:24 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]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 5:25 mean?

Likewise also the works - good [are] evident and even those otherwise being to be concealed not able
ὡσαύτως καὶ τὰ ἔργα τὰ καλὰ πρόδηλα καὶ τὰ ἄλλως ἔχοντα κρυβῆναι οὐ δύνανται

ὡσαύτως  Likewise 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡσαύτως  
Sense: in like manner, likewise.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἔργα  works 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
τὰ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
καλὰ  good 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: καλός  
Sense: beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable.
πρόδηλα  [are]  evident 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: πρόδηλος  
Sense: openly evident, known to all, manifest.
καὶ  and  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
τὰ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἄλλως  otherwise 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἄλλως  
Sense: otherwise.
ἔχοντα  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
κρυβῆναι  to  be  concealed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: κρύπτω  
Sense: to hide, conceal, to be hid.
δύνανται  able 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: δύναμαι  
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.