1 Timothy 5:22-25

22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.

25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Lay hands (v.22) — signifying fellowship

keep (v.22) = exercise watchful care

pure (v.22) = upright, honorable

Some commentaries state that verse 22 is a warning against restoring a sinning member to fellowship too soon. I think it makes more sense in context as a warning against giving a person a position of leadership in the church before knowing him well. If you do, and he turns out to be involved in some habitual sin, you are responsible for his sins in light of church leadership.

no longer drink only water (v.23) = “Be no longer a drinker of water” — don’t entirely abstain from alcohol

Some commentaries think verse 23 is completely parenthetical — that Paul was concerned for Timothy because of the stress he was under. Some think it might refer back to “keep yourself pure” in verse 22 — a warning against partaking in the sin of asceticism.

clearly evident (v.24 and 25) = manifested before, public

preceding (v.24) = leading forth

The meaning here is that these open sins go before their perpetrator to the judgment-seat like heralds, proclaiming their sentence in advance. Krisin (judgment) is not specifically the judgment of men or the final judgment of God, or the sentence of an ecclesiastical court — but is used indefinitely. The writer would say, no judicial utterance is necessary to condemn them of these sins. The words [follow later] refer to sins that follow up the offender to the bar of judgment and are first made openly manifest there. — Wuest, page 89

follow later (v.24) — some sins are hidden and don’t become evident until later, or perhaps until the judgment

good (v.25) — kalos = noble, honorable

those that are otherwise (v.25) — good works not plainly evident