Timothy to Hebrews - The Preterist Archive

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144 First Timothy V. 25.
men ?
The apostle plainly says that in the npimg everything comes
to light.
Vcr. 25.—This is fully evident from ver. 25. The particle (boavrug
2)laces this other case of the good works on a level with the
former. The same is true of these—the good works also arc manifest,
and those that are not, namely, not manifest, cannot remain
hid. Some are akeady open to the eyes of all, others will be open.
When this is to be, is shewn by the relation of this verse to ver. 24
—namely, in the Kpiaig. And what is this npioig in which all good
and evil works, all crying ati^i i^ccretly following sins, all open and
hidden works of godliness come to light ?
The question thus put
and we are at liberty to put it in no other form—can be satisfactorily
answered only by reference to the Di^ane judgment (the just
judgment {Kpioig) of God, 2 Thess. i. 5). So also Schleiermacher.
On the other hand, the most of commentators, understanding ver.
22 to refer to the ordination of presbyters, take this Kplaic to mean
the trial preceding the election of these office-bearers.* Apart,
however, from what has been said on ver. 22, Kpiaig is an unsuitable
expression for doKifid^eLv (iii. 10), and it must first be shewn that this
word is so used in the New Testament. Further, the whole passage
would then properly belong to the 3d chapter. Moreover, the general
form in which the sentiment is expressed, is inconsistent with
this interpretation ; it is good works and sins in general that are
spoken of (comp. ver. 25) how could ;
it in this case be said that they
go before to judgment, or follow after, if it is the trial previous
to being chosen as presbyter that is meant ? And do all sins and
virtues really come to light in this trial ? And Avhat relation then
has this idea—namely, that all comes to light—to the words, lay
hands suddenly on no man, he not partaker of other men's sins. It
does not intimate how Timothy is to act (De Wette); the relation
must rather be traced, as Leo does, thus : it is shewn how much
need there is of circumspection and consideration in the laying on
of hands, or with Mack : how the application of the necessary caution
will protect the church from unworthy ministers. But Leo's
interpretation is founded on an incorrect understanding of the rtal