Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Parallel translations
- WEB In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.
- BSB In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
- NKJV Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
- NASB Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
- NLT In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Likewise good works are usually evident, and even those not immediately seen cannot stay hidden. Genuine character, good or bad, will finally be revealed.
Overview
Paralleling his point about sins, Paul observes that good works too become manifest in time, and even unnoticed ones cannot remain concealed forever. This reassures that faithful service, though sometimes overlooked, is seen by God. It encourages patient discernment in evaluating people and confidence that the Lord will bring all true fruit to light.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 10:9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
- Luke 11:33No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
- Matt 6:3–6But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
- Ps 37:5–6Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
- Acts 22:12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
- Acts 16:1–3Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
- Gal 5:22–23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
- Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
- 1 Tim 3:7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
- Acts 10:22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
- Matt 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Phil 1:11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
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There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 5:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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