5:25a

In the same way: It can take time to learn about how a person has sinned. In the same way, it can also take some time to learn about the good deeds that a person does.

good deeds are obvious: This is the parallel expression to 5:24a. Paul said that not all good deeds are obvious, and you may need to indicate that here in 5:25a.

good deeds: In some languages it may be necessary to translate deeds using a verb. It may be possible to say “behave well” or “do things to help other people.”

5:25b

even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden: Some “good deeds” are not immediately obvious. But in time all “good deeds” will be known.

General Comment on 5:25b

In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning of this verse part more explicit. For example:

But other people do good in ways that people do not learn about immediately. Nevertheless, people will certainly learn later what they have done.
-or-
But other times people do not learn about the kind/helpful things that others do at the time when they do them. Nevertheless, people will certainly learn later what they have done.

Paragraph 6:2f–g

Most English versions begin a new paragraph here because these verse parts refer to all believers, not just the slaves whom Paul had been talking about in 6:1–2.

6:2f

Teach and encourage these principles: Paul was referring to what he had written from 5:3 to 6:2e.

and encourage: Paul wanted Timothy not only to teach believers these things, but also to exhort them to obey these things.

© 2003 by SIL International®

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.