Words that sooner or later all secret will necessarily be manifested can be considered already a commonplace. And although they are said by the Savior, today they are usually understood as something, which is not at all what Jesus said, and that is what apparently indicates the apostle after Him. Today it is usually about the fact that, as it is said, the history sooner or later will put every thing in place...
Words that sooner or later all secret will necessarily be manifested can be considered already a commonplace. And although they are said by the Savior, today they are usually understood as something, which is not at all what Jesus said, and that is what apparently indicates the apostle after Him. Today it is usually about the fact that, as it is said, the history sooner or later will put every thing in place. In a certain sense, it is certainly the truth: sometimes even today are made the archaeological discoveries, which shed light on the secrets of the past (more often, it must be recognized, for the crimes, than for good works).
Here is only that we today, we do not worry about the deeds of people, who lived centuries, and sometimes millenniums ago, and also about their crimes. In this sense we could say that their bad deeds remained a secret, also however as the good, of which, it must be recognized, the fallen man always shows much less interest. But Jesus, quite as Paul, had certainly another thing in mind, and it is clearly not "about the judgment of people" or "about the judgment of history". Indeed for Jesus, quite as for Paul, the Kingdom and its history were always in the first place.
And in the Kingdom, their laws differ from the laws of the non transformed world. Here it becomes visible what in the non transformed world remains hidden. In the non transformed world, one can be a scoundrel, a villain or a scamp, while keeping a completely decent appearance. Such thing is impossible in the Kingdom: because here the substance is completely dependent of the spirit, and the body cannot hide the spiritual quality of man, just as what takes place in the non transformed world, the material which is inert enough not to reflect every change in the spiritual state of man.
And since the history develops such that the Kingdom sooner or later, having opened totally, will seize the whole world, having transformed it and having made it one of its part, so sooner or later everyone will be in the position of a person who can hide nothing. Of course, this applies not only to the evil deeds, but also to the goods. But the good deeds, becoming part of the Kingdom, immediately after the fulfillment can really turn out known to all those who have a relation with the Kingdom, before the evil deeds, which probably will be discovered only on the day of the judgment. However, no deed can be hidden for ever. Neither the good, nor the evil.
5
5:17 Let the elders that rule well - Who approve themselves faithful stewards of all that is committed to their charge. Be counted worthy of double honour - A more abundant provision, seeing that such will employ it all to the glory of God. As it was the most laborious and disinterested men who were put into these offices, so whatever any one had to bestow, in his life or death, was generally lodged in their hands for the poor.By this means the churchmen became very rich in after ages, but as the design of the donors was something else, there is the highest reason why it should be disposed of according to their pious intent.Especially those - Of them. Who labour - Diligently and painfully.In the word and teaching - In teaching the word.
5:18 Deu 25:4
5:19 Against an elder - Or presbyter. Do not even receive an accusation, unless by two or three witnesses - By the Mosaic law, a private person might be cited (though not condemned) on the testimony of one witness; but St. Paul forbids an elder to be even cited on such evidence, his reputation being of more importance than that of others.
5:20 Those - Elders. That sin - Scandalously, and are duly convicted. Rebuke before all - The church.
5:21 I charge thee before God - Referring to the last judgment, in which we shall stand before God and Christ, with his elect, that is, holy, angels, who are the witnesses of our conversation. The apostle looks through his own labours, and even through time itself, and seems to stand as one already in eternity. That thou observe these things without prejudging - Passing no sentence till the cause is fully heard.Or partiality - For or against any one.
5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man - That is, appoint no man to church offices without full trial and examination; else thou wilt be accessary to, and accountable for, his misbehaviour in his office.Keep thy self pure - From the blood of all men.
5:24 Some men's sins are manifest beforehand - Before any strict inquiry be made. Going before to judgment - So that you may immediately judge them unworthy of any spiritual office. And some they - Their sins.Follow after - More covertly.
5:25 They that are otherwise - Not so manifest.Cannot be long hid - From thy knowledge. On this account, also, be not hasty in laying on of hands.