Question: Dear Greg,

The Bible states that all will be judged. There’s a scripture that states "Some men’s sins go before and some follow after." I take this to mean that those who are saved, their sins gave gone before. If so, what will the saved be judged for?

Mattie

Answer: Dear Mattie,

I believe that you are referring to 1 Timothy 5:24 – which, in the NIV, says "the sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them." The next verse continues this figure of speech or word picture, saying, "In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden."

The context of much of this portion of the chapter is about sins, sins that prevent elders and church leaders from spiritual service (see vs. 22, 20, 19). Verse 24 is simply an explanation about sin – that the sins of some are obvious, "reaching the place of judgment before them" – simply meaning that when judgment finally comes on such people it will be no surprise because their sins will have been evident. The judgment here spoken of is not necessarily a final judgment, but a judgment for sin – which can come at any time, depending upon the sin. The judgment can come as a result of natural law, or it can come because of civil law that man legislates and enforces in his culture.

Some people’s sins "trail behind them" – that is, they become widely known and evident only later, not like those whose sins are obvious.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht