Or, “come after.” According to the first view, Paul means that the sins of some elders may not be “openly evident” at the time accusation is made against them, or that the sins of some prospective elders may not be known at the time they were appointed to office. According to the second view, unconfessed sins accompany unrepentant men when they appear before God at the great final judgment.

Gr. krisis, “the act of judging.” Those who hold the first view apply this to the judgment of an elder’s qualifications to remain in office, or of a prospective elder to be inducted into office. Those who hold the second view apply this to the great final judgment.

 Gr. prodēlos, “clear,” “evident.” Aside from vs. 24, 25 prodēlos appears only in Heb. 7:14, where it is translated “evident.” In the papyri the word is used consistently in this sense. Some consider that in 1 Tim. 5:24, 25 Paul concludes his counsel regarding accusations against, and the sins of, church elders (vs. 19, 20), and the examination of the life record of prospective elders (v. 22). Others consider that the apostle refers to the sins of men generally. According to the first view, the words “going before” mean that the sins of elders or of prospective elders “lead (them) into judgment,” that is, make it possible to reach a decision concerning their fitness for office. According to the second view, “going before” means that confessed sins are disposed of judicially in heaven prior to the great final day of judgment, when God will reward every man according to his works as they appear at that time on the records of heaven (cf. 1T 263).