Some men's sins are evident beforehand, going before them to judgment; and some men they follow after.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
When it is clear with what intention they are committed, he calls them manifest sins, and these sins precede judgment. This means that if judgment follows them at once, it will not be rash judgment. But concealed sins follow judgment, because not even these will remain hidden in their proper time. And this is to be understood about good works as well…. On things that are manifest, therefore, let us pass judgment, but with regard to hidden things, let us leave the judgment to God. For, whether the works themselves be bad or good, they cannot remain hidden when the time comes for them to be revealed. .
Some men's sins are manifest These two verses seem connected with the admonition before given, as to ordaining ministers, some men's sins and evil life being so manifest, that they are certain to be rejected.
And some men they follow after: they appear not till after a trial and examination.
In like manner also good deeds, and good lives of some men, are so manifest, that they are easily admitted. And such as are otherwise, (that is, when they are desirous to conceal their virtues) they cannot be hidden: by an examination and trial they will appear. (Witham)
This refers to what he had said before, that he ought not easily to ordain others, but pass his judgment with scrutiny and impartiality. But there are some whom the public voice already condemns; their crimes are manifest: and there are others, though bad, whose crimes cannot be proved without examination. (Calmet)
St. Basil thinks it refers to the general judgment. Many both good and bad actions are at present manifest: others...
In speaking of ordination, he had said, Be not partaker of other men's sins. But what, he might say, if I be ignorant of them? Why, some men's sins are open beforehand, going before them to judgment, and some they follow after. Some men's, he means, are manifest, because they, go before, while others' are unknown, because they follow after.
Even as legislators have overlooked punishments for the guilty though they be established by law, so too our Lord Jesus Christ by punishing one or two sinners sets down like an inscription on a bronze stele their punishment and uses their experiences as a warning to all. It says that even if those who dare the same sins do not suffer a similar penalty now, they will suffer a more rigorous one in the future.
