Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
Parallel Translations
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Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
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Alexander the coppersmyth did me moche evyll the lorde rewarde him accordynge to his dedes
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Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much euill: the Lord rewarde him according to his workes.
Cross-references (15)
Passages linked to 2 Timothy 4:14 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Timothy 1:20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
- Psalms 28:4 Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
- 1 Samuel 24:12 May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
- 2 Samuel 3:39 I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”
- Psalms 62:12 Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
- Psalms 109:5-20 They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him come out guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin. Let his days be few. Let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins. Let the creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor. Let there be no one to extend kindness to him, neither let there be anyone to have pity on his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off. In the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by Yahweh. Don’t let the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before Yahweh continually, that he may cut off their memory from the earth; because he didn’t remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them. Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him. He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones. Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him. This is the reward of my adversaries from Yahweh, of those who speak evil against my soul.
- Jeremiah 15:15 Yahweh, you know. Remember me, visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors. You are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.
- Jeremiah 18:19-23 Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me. Should evil be recompensed for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them. Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives become childless and widows. Let their men be killed and their young men struck by the sword in battle. Let a cry be heard from their houses when you bring a troop suddenly on them; for they have dug a pit to take me and hidden snares for my feet. Yet, Yahweh, you know all their counsel against me to kill me. Don’t forgive their iniquity. Don’t blot out their sin from your sight, Let them be overthrown before you. Deal with them in the time of your anger.
- Acts 19:33-34 They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
- Romans 12:19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- Revelation 18:6 Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.
- 1 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.
- Revelation 6:10 They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
- Revelation 18:20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 14 Alexander the coppersmith In this man was exhibited…
14 Alexander the coppersmith In this man was exhibited a shocking instance of apostasy. He had made profession of some zeal in advancing the reign of Christ, against which he afterwards carried on open war. No class of enemies is more dangerous or more envenomed than this. But from the beginning, the Lord determined that his Church should not be exempted from this evil, lest our courage should fail when we are tried by any of the same kind.
Hath done me many evil things It is proper to observe, what are the “many evils” which Paul complains that Alexander brought upon him. They consisted in this, that he opposed his doctrine. Alexander was an artificer, not prepared by the learning of the schools for being a great disputer; but domestic enemies have always been abundantly able to do injury. And the wickedness of such men always obtains credit in the world, so that malicious and impudent ignorance sometimes creates trouble and difficulty greater than the highest abilities accompanied by learning. Besides, when the Lord brings his servants into contest with persons of this low and base class, he purposely withdraws them from the view of the world, that they may not indulge in ostentatious display.
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From Paul’s words, (ver. 15,) for he vehemently opposed our discourses, we may infer that he had committed no greater offense than an attack on sound doctrine; for if Alexander had wounded his person, or committed an assault on him, he would have endured it patiently; but when the truth of God is assailed, his holy breast burns with indignation, because, in all the members of Christ that saying must hold good,
“The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up.” (Psalm 69:9.)
And this is also the reason of the stern imprecation into which he breaks out, that the Lord may reward him according to his works. A little afterwards, when he complains that all had forsaken him, (Psalm 69:9,) still he does not call down the vengeance of God on them, but, on the contrary, appears as their intercessor, pleading that they may obtain pardon. So mild and so merciful to all others, how comes it that he shows himself so harsh and inexorable towards this individual? The reason is this. Because some had fallen through fear and weakness, he desires that the Lord would forgive them; for in this manner we ought to have compassion on the weakness of brethren. But because this man rose against God with malice and sacrilegious hardihood, and openly attacked known truth, such impiety had no claim to compassion.
We must not imagine, therefore, that Paul was moved by excessive warmth of temper, when he broke out into this imprecation; for it was from the Spirit of God, and through a well regulated zeal, that he wished eternal perdition to Alexander, and mercy to the others. Seeing that it is by the guidance of the Spirit that Paul pronounces a heavenly judgment from on high, we may infer from this passage, how dear to God is his truth, for attacking which he punishes so severely. Especially it ought to be observed how detestable a crime it is, to fight with deliberate malice against the true religion
But lest any person, by falsely imitating the Apostle, should rashly utter similar imprecations, there are three things here that deserve notice. First, let us not avenge the injuries done to ourselves, lest self-love and a regard to our private advantage should move us violently, as frequently happens. Secondly, while we maintain the glory of God, let us not mingle with it our own passions, which always disturb good order. Thirdly, let us not pronounce sentence against every person without discrimination, but only against reprobates, who, by their impiety, give evidence that such is their true character; and thus our wishes will agree with God’s own judgment otherwise there is ground to fear that the same reply may be made to us that Christ made to the disciples who thundered indiscriminately against all who did not comply with their views,
“Ye know not of what spirit ye are.” (Luke 9:55.)
They thought that they had Elijah as their supporter, (2 Kings 1:10,) who prayed to the Lord in the same manner; but because they differed widely from the spirit of Elijah, the imitation was absurd. It is therefore necessary, that the Lord should reveal his judgment before we burst forth into such imprecations; and wish that by his Spirit he should restrain and guide our zeal. And whenever we call to our remembrance the vehemence of Paul against a single individual, let us also recollect his amazing meekness towards those who had so basely forsaken him, that we may learn, by his example, to have compassion on the weakness of our brethren.
Here I wish to put a question to those who pretend that Peter presided over the church at Rome. Where was he at that time? According to their opinion, he was not dead; for they tell us, that exactly a year intervened between his death and that of Paul. Besides, they extend his pontificate to seven years. Here Paul mentions his first defense: his second appearance before the court would not be quite so soon. In order that Peter may not lose the title of Pope, must he endure to be charged with the guilt of so shameful a revolt? Certainly, when the whole matter has been duly examined, we shall find that everything that has been believed about his Popedom is fabulous.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the…
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
Ver. 14. Alexander the coppersmith] Who was once martyrio propinquus, saith Calvin, near unto martyrdom in Paul’s cause, Act 19:33. A glorious professor may become a furious persecutor. "Let him that stands take heed lest he fall."
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The Lord reward him] This is neither a curse nor a railing speech, saith an ancient, but a prediction well beseeming an apostle, that avenged not himself, but rather gave place to wrath, Rom 12:19. (Author quaest. apud Just. Mar.)
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Alesander the coppersmith did me much evil; we read…
Alesander the coppersmith did me much evil; we read of three Alexanders; one Mar 15:21, the son of him that bare Christ’s cross; another Act 4:6, akin to Annas the High Priest; a third, Act 19:33, probably the person here meant, for he was an Ephesian; but he at that time was a disciple of Paul’s, as appears there; probably afterward he apostasized, and was excommunicated by Paul, 1Ti 1:20, which might possibly provoke him: what harm he did to him, and where, whether at Ephesus or Rome, it is not said. The Lord reward him according to his works; how far it is lawful to pray against our enemies, (as Paul did here against Alexander), See Poole "Psa 99:6", See Poole "Jer 11:20", See Poole "Jer 12:3".
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain Here our apostle, 1. Complains of the injuries and…
Here our apostle, 1. Complains of the injuries and oppositions which he had met with from Aexander the Coppersmith, who was before a great professor, but now become a grievous persecutor: He made shipwreck of the faith, 1Ti 1:19 which he did before profess; nay, ’tis thought this man, Act 19:33 was near martyrdom, yet afterwards an opposer of the truth. The best things corrupted, become worst; the sweetest wine makes the sharpest vinegar. Be not offended then, if at any time you see professors turn blasphemers; nay, preachers themselves turn persecutors.
Observe, 2. An apostolical prediction, rather than a dreadful imprecation, passed upon Alexander; The Lord reward him according to his works. The Lord will reward him according to his works. The apostle by a prophetic spirit, saw what was coming upon him, and foretels his doom. Imprecations against the enemies of the church if lawful, yet must be cautiously and very rarely used: What we find in scripture looking like such, are rather to be accounted predictions, than imprecations.
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Observe, lastly; The caution given to TImothy to shun him; Of whom be thou aware also, for he is an opposer of the truth. Wicked men do not so much oppose the ministers, as the ministry; not so much oppose preachers, as preaching: ’Tis the light of truth which evil- doers hate; because it has a searching, discovering, condemning power.
St. Paul doth not complain of Alexander;s unkindness towards him, but of his malicious resisting the truth, and hindering the preaching of the gospel: He hath greatly withstood our words.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain At my first answer no man stood with me,....…
At my first answer no man stood with me,.... Meaning, that when he made his first defence against the charges laid unto him in one of the courts of judicature in Rome, no man appeared in his cause, to speak to his character, to be a witness for him, or plead his cause:
but all men forsook me; all his friends, all that came with him from Judea, or from Asia; see Ti2 1:15 being timorous of coming into danger, and of the loss of their lives; as the disciples of Christ were, when he was apprehended, who all at that time forsook him and fled:
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I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge; that this sin may not be imputed to them, or they be punished for it, but that it might be pardoned; so differently does he express himself on the account of these, than on the account of the coppersmith; he sinning through malice, wilfully and obstinately, these through surprise, temptation, and weakness.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain The Lord will reward him - This he spoke…
The Lord will reward him - This he spoke prophetically.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 14. Alexander the coppersmith] We are not to…
Verse 14. Alexander the coppersmith] We are not to understand this of any tradesman, but of some rabbin; for it was not unusual for the Jews to apply the name of some trade as an epithet to their rabbins and literary men. He is, in all probability, the very same mentioned Ac 19:33, where see the note; and it is not unlikely that he may have been the same whom the apostle was obliged to excommunicate, 1Ti 1:20.
The Lord reward him] Αποδῳη αυτῳ ὁ Κυριος· But instead of αποδωη, which has here the power of a solemn imprecation, αποδωσει, he will reward, is the reading of the very best MSS., several of the versions, and some of the chief Greek fathers. This makes the sentence declaratory: The Lord WILL reward him according to his works. This reading is most like the spirit and temper of this heavenly man. See 2Tim 4:16.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain 2Ti 4:14-15. Alexander the coppersmith — Or brasier; did…
2Ti 4:14-15. Alexander the coppersmith — Or brasier; did me much evil — This seems to have been the person mentioned 1Ti 1:20 : probably he was one of the Judaizing teachers, who violently opposed the true doctrine of the gospel. The Lord reward him — The Alexandrian, and six other MSS., the Syriac and the Vulgate versions, and some of the Fathers, read here, αποδωσει, the Lord will reward him: and it is probable the words ought to be considered as spoken prophetically. At least, as Doddridge observes, “what we know of Paul’s character must lead us to conclude, that if he did not mean the words as a mere prediction, he did not, however, wish evil to him as evil, but only that he might be so animadverted upon as to prevent the contagion of his bad example from spreading in the church, and to bring him to repentance and reformation, that so he might be preserved from final destruction.” Of whom be thou ware also — Be thou upon thy guard wherever thou happenest to meet with him; for he hath greatly withstood our words — Hath used every means in his power to prevent the progress and advancement of the true gospel.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Alexander the coppersmith - Or, rather, “the brazier” -…
Alexander the coppersmith - Or, rather, “the brazier” - ὁ χαλκεύς ho chalkeus. The word is used, however, to denote a worker in any kind of metals. This is probably the same person who is mentioned in 1Ti 1:20, and perhaps the same as the one mentioned in Act 19:33; see the notes on 1Ti 1:20.
Did me much evil - In what way this was done, is not mentioned. If this is the same person who is referred to in 1Ti 1:20, it is probable that it was not evil to Paul personally, so much as embarrassment to the cause of religion which he advocated; compare 2Ti 2:17-18.
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The Lord reward him according to his works; - compare the notes at 1Ti 1:20. This need not be regarded as an expression of private feeling; still less should it be understood as expressing a desire of revenge. It is the language of one who wished that God would treat him exactly as he ought to be treated, and might be in accordance with the highest benevolence of any heart. It is the aim of every just government that every one should be treated exactly as he deserves; and every good citizen should desire and pray that exact justice may be done to all. It is the business of a police officer to ferret out the guilty, to bring them to trial, to secure a just sentence; and any police officer might “pray,” with the utmost propriety, that God would assist him in his endeavors, and enable him to perform his duty. This might be done with no malevolent feeling toward any human being, but with the purest love of country, and the most earnest desire for the welfare of all.
if such a police officer, or if a judge, or a juryman, were heard thus to pray, who would dare to accuse him of having a vindictive spirit, or a malevolent heart? And why should Paul be so charged, when his prayer amounts to no more than this? For it remains yet to be proved that he refers to any private wrong which Alexander had done him, or that he was actuated by any other desire than that the sacred interests of truth should be guarded, and equal justice done to all. Why is it wrong to desire or to pray that universal justice may be done, and that every man may be treated as, under all the circumstances of the case, he ought to be treated? On the subject of the “Imprecations in the Scriptures,” the reader may consult an article in the Bibliotheca Sacra, vol. 1, pp. 97-110. It should be added here, that some manuscripts, instead of ἀποδῴη apodōē, “may the Lord reward,” read it in the future - ἀποδώσει apodōsei, “will reward.” See Wetstein. The future is also found in the Vulgate, Coptic, and in Augustine, Theodoret, and Chrysostom. Augustine says (on the Sermon on the Mount), “He does not say, may he reward (reddat); but, he will reward (reddet), which is a verb of prophecy, not of imprecation. The authority, however, is not sufficient to justify a change in the present reading. These variations have doubtless arisen from a belief that the common reading expresses a sentiment inconsistent with the true spirit of a Christian, and a desire to find a better. But there is no reason for “desiring” a change in the text.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain The Lord will render [8] to him. We read…
The Lord will render [8] to him. We read shall render, not only in the Latin and Syriac, but also in divers Greek manuscripts which Dr. Wells again prefers before the ordinary Greek copies, in which we read, The Lord render or reward him, as in the Protestant translation. If that was the true reading, we must take the words by way of a prophecy, and not as an imprecation or curse. (Witham)
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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Reddet, Greek: apodosei, in some manuscripts though in more, Greek: apodoe. The commentary of St. John Chrysostom agrees with the Latin.
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George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Alexander the coppersmith--or "smith" in general. Perhaps the same…
Alexander the coppersmith--or "smith" in general. Perhaps the same as the Alexander (see on Ti1 1:20) at Ephesus. Excommunicated then he subsequently was restored, and now vented his personal malice because of his excommunication in accusing Paul before the Roman judges, whether of incendiarism or of introducing a new religion. See my Introduction. He may have been the Alexander put forward by the Jews in the tumult at Ephesus (Act 19:33-34).
reward--The oldest manuscripts read, "shall reward," or "requite him." Personal revenge certainly did not influence the apostle (Ti2 4:16, end).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 4. Reminiscences of his former trial, 2Ti_4:14-18.
4. Reminiscences of his former trial, 2Ti_4:14-18.
14. Alexander the coppersmith—Or rather, brazier. See note, Act_19:33. He was probably a resident of Ephesus, but went to Rome as witness or prosecutor against Paul at his trial.
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The Lord reward—The best authorities read will reward; making the words a prediction rather than an imprecation. The position of both Alford and Fairbairn is, that the imprecative form presents no greater theological difficulty than the predictive. One of the most solemn, yet approvable, passages of the Apocalypse, Rev_6:9-10, is imprecative. An inspired prayer may anticipate and invoke the just judgment that a holy God is about to execute. Yet upon such passages sceptical cavil will always be offered.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 14. did me much evil] The Greek word has…
14. did me much evil] The Greek word has a technical meaning, ‘impeached,’ ‘indicted,’ and so it is sometimes rendered here ‘laid many grievous things to my charge’; but it is in the simpler sense, ‘shewed me much mischief,’ that the verb is used nine times by St Paul. Cf. 1Ti_1:16, Tit_2:10; Tit_3:2.
the Lord reward him] The aorist optative has less weight of ms. authority than the future indic, will render, which tense of the same verb has occurred 2Ti_4:8.
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14, 15. Dr Farrar’s suggestion for the link of connexion is possible, that St Paul’s second arrest took place at Troas, and that such an one as Alexander the coppersmith could easily have procured his arrest, and when suddenly seized by the lictors at Troas he could have had no time to take away his possessions. On 1Ti_1:20 we have seen that there is no particular reason to identify this Alexander with the one mentioned there. Rather the addition of ‘coppersmith’ as a distinguishing title suggests the opposite. ‘The smith’ would be perhaps more certainly correct; the word being quite as commonly used for ‘blacksmith.’
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (14) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.—Most probably,…
(14) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.—Most probably, the same Alexander, mentioned in the First Epistle (1Ti_1:20) “as delivered to Satan,” and not improbably identical with the Alexander “the Jew” put forward by the Jews in the Ephesian tumult. (Act_19:33-34).
It has been suggested that this Alexander, an influential Ephesian Jew, had done much injury to the cause of the Christians generally, and to St. Paul personally, with the imperial authorities at Rome.
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The Lord reward him according to his works.—The older authorities read, “shall reward him . . .” The works referred to were the bitter injuries he had done to the cause of Christ, rather than to the Apostle himself.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Will render to him for reward him, A.V and…
Will render to him for reward him, A.V and T.R. Alexander; apparently an Ephesian, as appears by the words, "of whom be thou ware also." It seems probable, though it is necessarily uncertain, that this Alexander is the same person as that mentioned in 1Ti_1:20 as "a blasphemer," which agrees exactly with what is here said of him, "he greatly withstood our words". (comp. Act_13:45, "contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed He may or may not be the same as the Alexander named in Act_19:33. Supposing the Alexander of 1Ti_1:20 and this place to be the same, the points of resemblance with the Alexander of Act_19:33 are that both resided at Ephesus, that both seem to have been Christians (see note on, (1Ti_1:20) and both probably Jews, inasmuch as 1Ti 1 relates entirely to Jewish heresies (vers. 4, 7, 8), and; Act_19:33 expressly states that he was a Jew. The coppersmith (oJ calkeuv; only here in the New Testament) properly, a coppersmith, but used generally of any smith silversmith, or goldsmith, or blacksmith. Did me much evil (polla moi kakaxato). This is a purely Hellenistic idiom, and is found in the LXX of Gen_1:15, Gen_1:17; Song of the Three Children, 19; RAPC 2Macc 13:9. In classical Greek the verb ejndeikuumai, in the middle voice, "to display," can only be followed by a subjective quality, as "good will," "virtue," "long suffering," an "opinion," and the like (see Alford, in loc. ). And so it is used in 1Ti_1:16; sei Tit_2:10 Tit_3:2. The question naturally arises When and where did Alexander thus injure St. Paul? at Ephesus or at Rome? Bengel suggests Rome, and with great probability. Perhaps he did him evil by stirring up the Jews at Rome against the apostle at the time of "his first defence;" or by giving adverse testimony before the Roman tribunal, possibly accusing him of being seditious, and bringing up the riot at Ephesus as a proof of it; or in some other way, of which the memory has perished. Will render. The R.T. has the future, ajpodw for the optative ajpodwh, "a late and incorrect form for ajpodoih" (Ellicott, in loc. ).
Vers. 14, 15.
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The warning against Alexander the coppersmith.
I THE CHARACTER OF THIS MAN. "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil for he greatly withstood our words." This implies that he had been at Rome, and was still an enemy to the gospel, (1Ti_1:20) as in the day when the apostle delivered him and Hymenaeus over to Satan at Ephesus. Probably trade interests may have inspired the fierceness of his hatred to the apostle, for he may have been an idol maker. He was insulting and spiteful and obstinate in his gainsaying.
II THE RETRIBUTION THAT WOULD OVERTAKE HIM. "The Lord will render to him according to his works.
1. This is to state a fact in Divine providence, quite irrespective of the apostle"s wishes or feelings.
2. Transgressors against the cause of God have to reckon in the last resort, not with humble apostles, but with God himself.
III WARNING AGAINST HIS WAYS. "Of whom be thou ware also." He was a heretic and a blasphemer, and as such had been delivered to Satan, and was still perversely opposed to the truth. Timothy was warned to be watchful against his devices. It was no personal injury, but resistance to the gospel, that dictated this counsel. T.C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.
2Ti_4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil.
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Indignation an important quality in a true man
At a party at Dalkeith Palace, where Mr.
in his mawkish way was finding palliations for some villainous transaction, Adam Smith waited in patient silence until he was gone, then exclaimed, Now I can breathe more freely. I cannot bear that man; he has no indignation in him. (W. H. Baxendale.)
Of whom be thou ware
1. We must shun the society of incurable sinners. Whilst men are hopeful and curable we must try all means to win them.
2. Opposing of the truth is very grievous to a gracious soul. For he hath greatly withstood our words. Gods people are baptized with fire as well as with water, and must be hot and not lukewarm or indifferent in the things of God.
3. Wicked men do not so much oppose our persons as our preaching. They hate us not as men, but as ministers, because we publish the truth that condemns their wicked practices. (T. Hall, B. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 14, 15. Alexander the coppersmith. An Alexander is named…
14, 15. Alexander the coppersmith. An Alexander is named in Acts 19:33 and in 1 Tim. 1:20 as belonging to Ephesus. This may have been the same man. We cannot be sure whether the evil was done in Ephesus, or Rome. Did me much evil. By his opposition. The Lord reward him. The Christian, when wronged, is to turn over to the Lord the recompense for the wrong.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain 2Ti_4:14. The Lord reward him according to his works.—R.V.…
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2Ti_4:14. The Lord reward him according to his works.—R.V. “the Lord will render,” etc. What the Jew Alexander would have said to the Ephesian mob we cannot now know, but he must have been one of the leaders of the Jewish element in the mob, and therefore we conclude it was he to whom St. Paul here refers (cf. Act_19:33, and margin R.V.).
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MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—2Ti_4:14-15
Opposition to the Truth—
I. Is often violently persistent.—“For he hath greatly withstood our words” (2Ti_4:15). Probably the Alexander at Ephesus, put forward by the Jews during the riot there (1Ti_1:20). He was then excommunicated, but afterwards restored, and by his able and determined opposition was a thorn in Paul’s side. A renegade is all the more troublesome because of the acquaintance with the side he once espoused and now attacks, using his knowledge of both sides with subtle and malicious dexterity.
II. Is fraught with much mischief.—“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil” (2Ti_4:14). Though again restored to the Church and to the confidence of the apostle, he never forgot the indignity of his expulsion, and vented his spleen on the man who had shown him kindness, accusing Paul before the Roman judges either of incendiarism or of introducing a new religion. He misrepresented facts, as suchlike men usually do, and was perhaps a chief agent in procuring the martyrdom of Paul. It is in the power of a restless, discontented, and malicious opponent to do mischief he can never repair.
III. Should put the faithful teacher on his guard.—“Of whom be thou ware also” (2Ti_4:15). An unprincipled opponent is difficult to manage. All kindly and courteous advances he construes into fear; and even our silence he counts as submission and claims as a victory. Knowing the unfair use he will make of our words, we should be cautious not to give him the least advantage.
IV. Will not escape Divine punishment.—“The Lord reward him according to his works” (2Ti_4:14). Baffled in all our efforts to silence or to restore a refractory opponent, we can leave him to God. The Christian teacher should be above the indulgence of personal revenge. The obstinate sinner will be certainly punished according to his deeds; and the punishment will be both just and adequate.
Lessons.—
1. Truth is hated because it reproves our conscious sins.
2. A vindictive spirit is utterly impotent.
3. God will reckon with the enemies of His truth.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain Jehovah. 2Sa 3:39.
Lord
Jehovah. 2Sa 3:39.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Alexander the coppersmith displayed
Alexander the coppersmith displayed
"Alexander, who works with metal, displayed"
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Alexander
This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)
displayed many evil deeds against me
Paul speaks of doing evil deeds as if they were put on display. AT: "did many evil things to me" (See: Metaphor)
The Lord will repay him according to his deeds
Paul speaks of punishment as if it were payment. AT: "The Lord will punish him for what he has done" (See: Metaphor)
him ... his ... him ... he
These all refer to Alexander.
opposed our words
Here "words" refers to a message or teaching. AT: "opposed the message that we teach" (See: Metonymy)
At my first defense
"When I first appeared in court and explained my actions"
no one stood with me
"no one stayed with me and helped me"
May it not be counted against them
This can be stated in active form. AT: "May God not count it against them" or "I pray that God does not punish those believers for leaving me" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
lord
word
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 4:14 Alexander was a common name (cp. Mark 15:21;…
4:14 Alexander was a common name (cp. Mark 15:21; Acts 4:6; 19:33). Alexander the coppersmith was probably the same person as in 1 Tim 1:20. • did me much harm: Apparently he did more than merely oppose Paul’s teaching. Perhaps he had a hand in Paul’s arrest.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.