INTRODUCTION
Paul wanted to encourage Timothy to help with his work in Ephesus where he was to stay as an evangelist. Paul’s waiting for the result of his trial, 2 Timothy and makes some requests to Timothy to come and see him before he was put to death, 2 Timothy 4:6.
In 1 Timothy Paul gave him clear guidelines for choosing church leaders. In his letter to Titus, Paul appears to be dealing with the same issue and so, he encourages him to use similar guidelines for choosing church leaders in Crete. So, in both cases, Paul’s letters of encouragement would have helped them in their demanding tasks.
AUTHOR
The letter itself, along with other letters which Paul wrote, especially 2 Timothy and Titus have brought about some criticism as to whether Paul actually wrote them or not, mainly for four reasons.
1. The historical problem. 2. The ecclesiastical problem. 3. The doctrinal problem. 4. The linguistic problem.
It’s difficult to understand where the confusion comes from as Paul clearly tells us it was, he, himself who wrote the letter, 1 Timothy 1:1 / 2 Timothy 2:1 / Titus 1:1.
DATE
Paul was arrested and placed in prison the first time around A.D. 61 to 63, and it was either immediately before or during this imprisonment that he wrote this letter to Timothy. From statements that he made in 1 and 2 Timothy and his letter to Titus, it’s clear that he was released from this first imprisonment.
Upon his release he travelled to Crete, Titus 1:5, Corinth, 2 Timothy 4:20, Dalmatia, 2 Timothy 4:10, Nicopolis, Titus 3:12, Troas, 2 Timothy 4:13, Miletus, 2 Timothy 4:20, possibly Ephesus, 1 Timothy 1:3, and possibly Spain, Romans 15:24 / Romans 15:28.
Paul was then arrested and placed in prison a second time by Roman authorities. Immediately before this
imprisonment, he wrote a letter to Titus, Titus 3 / Titus 1:2, and then whilst he was in prison he wrote 2 Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:6-8. It was during his final imprisonment around A.D. 66/67 that he suffered death at the hands of Nero after Nero had launched his personal battle against Christians.
BACKGROUND
Paul warns the leaders at the church in Ephesus of the many dangers that they were facing, Acts 20:17-31. Problems had obviously happened at the church, some teachers were not following sound doctrine, 1 Timothy 6:3.
Paul loved Timothy dearly as a friend and as a companion, and he says of him, ‘I have no one else like him,’ Philippians 2:20, and calls Timothy his ‘son in the gospel,’ 1 Timothy 1:2. Paul wrote this letter to advise Timothy who was very young, 1 Timothy 4:12, on how to deal with these issues, and also encouraged him in his duties as an evangelist.
TIMOTHY
His name means, ‘honouring God’, and his mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned as eminent for their piety, 2 Timothy 1:5. We know nothing of his father but that he was a Greek, Acts 16:1. Timothy became a new convert of Paul the apostle on his first missionary journey, 1 Timothy 1:2 / 1 Timothy 1:18 / Acts 14:6-23, and Timothy became a devoted travelling companion of Pauls.
Timothy was a native of Lystra, and he was with Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome. Paul mentions that Timothy made the journey from Rome to Philippi, Philippians 2:19-23. Sometime later became the minister of the church at Ephesus, and Paul the apostle addresses his letter to Timothy as a minister at Ephesus.
He’s first brought into notice at the time of Paul’s second visit to Lystra, Acts 16:2, where he probably resided, and where it seems he was converted during Paul’s first visit to that place, 1 Timothy 1:2 / 2 Timothy 3:11. Paul, having formed a high opinion of his ‘own son in the faith,’ arranged that he should become his companion, Acts 16:3, and took and circumcised him, so that he might conciliate the Jews.
He was designated to the office of an evangelist, 1 Timothy 4:14, and went with Paul in his journey through Phrygia, Galatia, and Mysia, also to Troas and Philippi and Berea, Acts 17:14. He followed Paul to Athens, and was sent by him with Silas on a mission to Thessalonica, Acts 17:15 / 1 Thessalonians 3:2.
We next find him at Corinth with Paul, 1 Thessalonians 1:1 / 2 Thessalonians 1:1. He passes now out of sight for a few years and is again noticed as with the apostle at Ephesus, Acts 19:22, and he is sent on a mission into Macedonia.
He accompanied Paul afterwards into Asia, Acts 20:4, where he was with him for some time. When the apostle was a prisoner in Rome, Timothy joined him, Philippians 1:1, where it appears he also suffered imprisonment, Hebrews 13:23.
During Paul’s second imprisonment he wrote to Timothy, asking him to rejoin him as soon as possible, and to bring with him certain things which he had left at Troas, his cloak and parchments, 2 Timothy 4:13. According to tradition, after Paul’s death, he settled in Ephesus as his sphere of labour and there found a martyr’s grave.
OUTLINE
Instruction And Sound Doctrine. 1 Timothy 1
Instruction And Public Prayer And Worship. 1 Timothy 2
Instruction And The Local Church. 1 Timothy 3
Instruction And Pastoral Ministry. 1 Timothy 4
The Text
‘Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.’ 1 Timothy 1:1-2
When the apostle Paul was on the road to Damascus, his encounter with the Lord Jesus changed his life completely. The Lord gave him a command to preach to the Gentiles, Acts 9:11-15, and from that moment onwards, he began his service working with God, 1 Timothy 1:12.
He gave up everything he had in order to preach the Gospel, Romans 1:1 / Acts 13:2, and became a prisoner of Christ Jesus, Ephesians 3:1.
It’s God, the Father who is our Saviour, because it’s against Him we sin, Deuteronomy 32:15 / Psalm 24:5, and He is the only One who could save us from our sins, 2 Corinthians 5:19 / Luke 1:46-47.
Christ Jesus is our hope because He was the One who was raised from the dead, never to die again, because of this we have hope, Psalm 43:5 / Colossians 1:27 / 1 John 3:2-3 / 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.
Timothy was Paul’s true son in the faith, which implies that Paul himself had converted Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:1. Timothy travelled everywhere with Paul before he gained a lot of experience from his travels and from being with Paul, Acts 16:1-3 / Acts 20:4 / Colossians 1:1 / Philemon 1 / /1 Corinthians 16:10-11 / Philippians 2:19 / Titus 1:4.
Paul basically trained him up as an evangelist for him to carry on preaching and teaching God’s Word to others, 1 Timothy 2:2.
With Paul’s greeting, he affirms the standing of Jesus with God, the Father, and His authority. In other words, Paul has attributed his authority in writing this letter to the church to be from God, both the Father and the Son, 2 John 3.
Someone once said, ‘grace is the favour of God, mercy is the compassion of God, and peace is the result when God removes guilt and misery’. There’s a lot in this statement because as the Christian walks each day, some days are better, far better, than other days. When we remind ourselves of God’s grace mercy and peace, we remind ourselves of how much God loves us, Romans 8:37-39 / Ephesians 3:18.
Timothy Charged To Oppose False Teachers
‘As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.’ 1 Timothy 1:3-4
When Paul went into Macedonia, he had been driven away by the excitement caused by Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, Acts 20:1. And it’s clear, that Paul and Timothy had been working together at Ephesus, but Paul had been obliged to leave before he had completed what he had intended to do there.
One reason Timothy was left behind in Ephesus was to confront those who were teaching false doctrines. These were the Jews who taught from the Old Testament laws but totally misapplied them, 1 Timothy 1:7-8.
They used the law to try and legally justify themselves before God, but as with all legalists, they couldn’t perfectly keep the law, James 2:10, in order to receive God’s grace, Galatians 2:16.
This is another example of Judaizers teachers trying to bind circumcision and other laws on the Gentiles, Acts 15:1-2 / Romans 16:17 / 2 Corinthians 11:4 / Galatians 1:6-7 / 1 Timothy 6:3.
Another reason Timothy was left behind in Ephesus was to confront those who were devoting themselves to myths. The ‘myths’ here were probably the idle and childish superstitions and self-satisfactions of the Jewish rabbis.
The Greeks, as well as some Jews, had a mixture of speculative beliefs concerning gods, and it’s easy to understand that what started as a myth, has now become a legend and that legend becomes a matter of fact, therefore it must be true, Titus 1:14 / 2 Peter 1:16.
Another reason Timothy was left behind in Ephesus was to confront those who were devoting themselves to endless genealogies. The Jews kept careful genealogical records, this was necessary so that they could make the distinctions between their tribes. It’s not difficult to imagine how numerous, complicated, and extended these records became over the centuries, hence why the genealogies are called, ‘endless’.
The legalistic teachers and the obsession with myths and genealogies were obviously causing some problems for the church. Rather than advancing the work of God by faith, they were ‘promoting controversial speculations’.
It never ceases to amaze me when sitting in a Bible study how much time gets spent speaking about things the Scriptures never mention. Sadly, it often ends in disputes over opinions. Paul is later going to call these useless and unnecessary, 1 Timothy 6:3-4 / 1 Timothy 6:20 / Titus 3:9-11.
‘The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.’ 1 Timothy 1:5
In order for Timothy to fulfil his role as an evangelist, it was necessary for him to have the correct view of the purpose of the law. The commandment is given on the foundation of love, John 3:16 / 1 John 4:19, in other words, God’s law was supposed to produce love in the Christian’s heart, Romans 13:8 / 1 Corinthians 13:1 / Galatians 5:14 / Galatians 5:22-23.
A genuine pure heart, Matthew 15:18-20 / Ephesians 6:24 / 2 Timothy 2:21-26, a good conscience, free from guilt, Romans 8:1 / 2 Timothy 1:5, and sincere faith, Hebrews 11:6 / James 1:6-8, can only come when we love God and His people, 1 John 4:19. Jesus says by our love for Him, others will know we truly belong to Him, John 13:34-35.
‘Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.’ 1 Timothy 1:6-7
Because of those legalistic teachers, and those who were obsessed with myths and genealogies, some Christians departed from the commandment of love. The proof of this is seen in that they would rather speak about ‘controversial speculations’, 1 Timothy 6:4 / 1 Timothy 6:20.
Instead of focusing on the commandment of love, they turned to ‘meaningless talk’. In other words, everything they spoke about was useless and didn’t benefit or edify the church, 2 Timothy 4:4 / Titus 3:9-11.
They wanted to be teachers, but what they really wanted was to be respected, they wanted the glory and honour, 1 Timothy 6:4 / Revelation 2:9. They didn’t have a clue what they were talking about because they didn’t understand that the Old Testament law was supposed to lead people to Christ, Galatians 3:23-25, hence why they couldn’t communicate confidently the things they affirmed.
Not everyone should be a teacher of God’s Word, James 3:1, to teach others means a lot of time in prayer and a lot of time studying and preparing a lesson, 2 Timothy 2:15. It also means practising what we preach, Matthew 23:2-3.
‘We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practising homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.’ 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Christians know that the law is good if it’s used properly, however, if anyone doesn’t understand the purpose of the Old Testament law, then they will obviously not be able to interpret the law and apply it correctly to their lives.
The law could never save anyone, but it was given to the nation of Israel until the Messiah, that is Jesus, came into the world, Matthew 5:17-18 / Galatians 3:23-25. The law is no longer in force to be bound on people who have been made free from the law by their obedience to the Gospel, Romans 7:1-4.
The Old Testament and its laws are now used for our learning, Romans 7:12 / Romans 7:16 / Romans 15:4 / 1 Corinthians 10:11. The lesson here is simple, if anyone binds God’s Old Testament laws on Christians today, they haven’t used it properly, Acts 15:1 / Acts 15:10 / 1 Corinthians 4:6.
Christians also know that the law isn’t made for the righteous, that’s because the righteous understand that the whole law hangs on the commandments to love God with everything we’ve got and love our neighbours as ourselves, Matthew 22:37-40.
We demonstrate our love for God by obeying His commands and we help our neighbours because we love them, Luke 10:25-37 / Galatians 5:22-23. The difference between a legalist and a love-filled Christians is simply this, the legalist will do things because they feel they have to, but the love-filled Christians will do things because they want to, James 4:17.
Therefore the law was made for the ‘lawbreakers’, in other words, it was made to bind and restrain them. The word here used means, those who have no law, and then those who are transgressors, Matthew 15:28 / Luke 22:37 / Acts 2:23 / 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
The law was also made for the ‘rebels’, that is those who are insubordinate, lawless. The word means those who are under no subjection or authority. This word is only used four times in the New Testament, Titus 1:6 / Titus 1:10 / Hebrews 2:8.
The law was also made for the ‘ungodly’, that is those who have no religion, those who don’t worship or honour God. In other words, the law is against all who don’t worship or honour God, Romans 4:5 / Romans 5:6 / 1 Timothy 1:9 / 1 Peter 4:18 / 2 Peter 2:5 / 2 Peter 3:7 / Jude 1:15.
The law was also made for the ‘sinful’, that is sinners. This would include all kinds of sin in general, Romans 3:23.
The law was also made for the ‘unholy’, that is those who fail of their duty toward God, and means those who have no respect, those who are irreligious, 2 Timothy 3:2.
The law was also made for the ‘irreligious’, that is those who treat religion with contempt, mockery, or scorn, Hebrews 12:16 / 1 Timothy 1:9 / 1 Timothy 4:7 / 1 Timothy 6:20 / 2 Timothy 2:16 / Hebrews 12:16.
The law was also made for ‘those who kill their fathers or mothers’. This was expressly forbidden by God, Genesis 9:5-6, and later in the law of Moses, it was a crime punishable by death, Exodus 21:15.
The law was also made for ‘murderers’, that is those who commit murder. It’s interesting to note that the word used for ‘murderers’ isn’t used anywhere else in the New Testament. This crime is expressly forbidden by God, Genesis 9:5-6, and later in the law of Moses, Exodus 20:13.
The law was also made for ‘the sexually immoral’, ‘those practising homosexuality’, that is those who defile themselves with mankind, Leviticus 19:29 / Leviticus 20:5 / Romans 1:27. This too was forbidden by the law of Moses, and was punishable with death, Leviticus 20:13.
The law was also made for ‘slave traders’, those who steal another for the purpose of making them a slave, kidnapping others. The Greek word used here is the only time it’s used in the New testament. This crime was also expressly forbidden by the law of God and was made punishable with death, Exodus 21:16 / Deuteronomy 24:7.
The law was also made for ‘liars’, that is all people who lie, Leviticus 6:2-4 / Leviticus 19:11. We must remember there is no such a thing as a ‘little white lie’, a lie is a lie and those who practice lying will not be accepted into heaven, Revelation 22:15.
The law was also made for ‘perjurers’, that is those who swear falsely, Leviticus 19:12 / Leviticus 6:3 / Exodus 20:7.
By highlighting all these sins, it’s clear that Paul is describing the sinful behaviour of all those who have no respect for God, His laws or their neighbours.
Paul could have easily continued with a long list of other sinful behaviours, Galatians 5:19-21, but what he wrote is enough for Timothy to get the point. The sinful behaviour of these people is contrary to ‘sound doctrine’ that enhances our lives in our relationship with our fellow man, 2 Timothy 4:3 / Titus 1:9.
Remember the Gospel isn’t only a teaching but an event, it’s the greatest event in human history, it’s the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and people are called through the Gospel, 2 Thessalonians 2:14.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The gospel is a system of divine revelation. It makes known the will of God. It states what is duty, and accords in its great principles with the law, or is in harmony with it. The law, in principle, forbids all which the gospel forbids, and in publishing the requirements of the gospel, therefore, Paul says that the law really forbade all which was prohibited in the gospel, and was designed to restrain all who would act contrary to that gospel. There is no contradiction between the law and the gospel. They forbid the same things, and in regard to morals and true piety, the clearer revelations of the gospel are but carrying out the principles stated in the law.’
The Gospel was revealed by the blessed God, that is the same God who was the author of the law and it was God who entrusted Paul to share that Gospel message with others, Acts 9:11-15 / 1 Corinthians 9:17 / Galatians 1:1.
The Lord’s Grace To Paul
‘I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Timothy 1:12-14
Paul here gives thanks to Christ for giving him the strength to be an apostle of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:10. Jesus counted him as ‘trustworthy’, that is, although Paul went all out to persecute the Lord’s church, he actually thought he was doing God’s work, 1 Corinthians 15:9 / Philippians 3:5-6.
He was also ‘trustworthy’ in the sense that he would be responsible to carry out God’s commissions to preach to the Gentiles, hence he became an apostle of Christ, Romans 1:1 / Ephesians 3:1 / Colossians 1:25, and he was thankful for that commission, 2 Corinthians 12:9 / Philippians 4:13.
Paul continues to explain what he was like when he was against the Lord’s church, Acts 7:58-8:3 / Acts 9:1-4 / Galatians 1:13-14 / Philippians 3:6. He sincerely believed that Christianity was a sect against Judaism, he was a violent man, Romans 1:30, who persecuted Christians throughout Judea, hence he was a blasphemer, Acts 8:3 / 1 Corinthians 15:9. Who said that ‘blasphemy’ was the unforgivable sin! Matthew 12:31-32.
The good news is, he knew he was acting in ignorance and unbelief and as a result, he was shown mercy by God and it was this mercy that kept Paul humble, Acts 9:11-15 / 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. All Christians must remind themselves of who they were and where they came from before they became Christians, this too will keep us humble, Ephesians 2:1-10 / James 4:10.
Paul received an abundance of God’s grace in his life, and the life he now lives for Christ is the proof that God’s grace is abundant for anyone who will repent and turn to God for forgiveness, Romans 5:20 / / 1 Corinthians 3:10 / 2 Corinthians 4:15 / Galatians 1:13-16 / Ephesians 3:20.
Paul received God’s grace along with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. The grace which was imparted to him was seen in the faith and love which is produced, 1 Corinthians 15:10. God’s grace can only be obtained by those who are ‘in Christ’, Romans 6:3-6 / Ephesians 1:3 / Ephesians 1:7. Yes, grace is a gift but the only way to receive that gift is through obedience, Romans 3:31 / Ephesians 2:8-9.
‘Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ 1 Timothy 1:15-17
What a wonderful trustworthy saying this is, Christ Jesus came to save sinners like you and I, Isaiah 53:5 / Isaiah 61:1 / Hosea 6:1-3 / Matthew 1:21 / Matthew 9:13 / Luke 19:10.
Paul recognised his sinfulness and saw himself as the worst of sinners. This is a man who truly appreciates the grace of God and hasn’t forgotten his past, Luke 7:47 / Acts 8:3 / Acts 9:1-2 / 1 Corinthians 15:9 / Philippians 3:5-6.
Because Paul saw himself as the worst of sinners, he realises that the reason he was shown mercy was so that others would know that they too can receive mercy. If God can forgive a sinner like him, God can forgive anyone. If God can give a sinner like him peace beyond understanding, God can give that peace to anyone, Philippians 4:7.
Paul absolutely believed that the grace he was given by God would be extended to others, 1 Corinthians 9:16-17, and if God could save him, then God could save anyone, 2 Corinthians 4:15. If Paul, the ‘blasphemer and persecutor and a violent man’, 1 Timothy 1:13, can be saved, then anyone can be saved if they repent as Paul did.
God’s immense patience is shown in Paul’s conversion, Acts 9:17-18. That same patience is offered to everyone today, Acts 17:30 / 2 Peter 3:9, God patiently waits on people to come to Him to receive eternal life.
Please note that believing by itself won’t save anyone, we must hear God’s Word, Romans 10:17, we must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, John 3:36, we must confess His Name before men, Romans 10:9-10, we must repent of whatever sin that is in our lives, Luke 13:3, and we must be baptised for the forgiveness of our sins, Acts 2:38.
Because of the grace which God had shown Paul, Paul bursts out with praise for God who is the only One who deserves our honour and glory.
God is called King here, as He is often called in the Scriptures, to signify that He always has and always will rule over the universe. The Greek text literally reads ‘King of the ages.’ Psalm 10:16 / Psalm 22:28 / Psalm 24:10 / Psalm 44:4 / Psalm 103:9 / Isaiah 37:16 / Daniel 4:3 / 1 Chronicles 29:9-11 / Matthew 6:13 / Matthew 11:11.
The word, ‘immortal’, refers to God Himself, not to His reign, John 4:24. It means that He doesn’t die, and it’s given to Him to distinguish Him from other sovereigns, Romans 1:23 / Hebrews 11:27.
God is also ‘invisible’, 1 Timothy 6:16, but Christ is the image of the invisible God, John 1:18 / Colossians 1:13-20. Paul tells us in Romans 1:18-20 that ‘invisible things, are clearly seen’, this sounds almost sounds like a paradox but that actually means ‘are clearly understood.’
In what way? ‘By the things that are made’. Man understands that there is a God by looking at the things which He created. Experience and observation clearly tell us that every made thing has a maker. Every effect demands a cause. The thing made demands a maker. Design demands a designer. Every law demands a lawgiver. Writings demand an author. Life comes from life.
The N.I.V uses the words, ‘the only God’, while other translations use the words, ‘the only wise God’. This makes no difference to our understanding of the text. It’s true that Yahweh is the only God and it’s also true that He is the only wise God, Proverbs 3:19 / Job 12:13 / Romans 16:27.
The Charge To Timothy Renewed
‘Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.’ 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Timothy is commanded by Paul to carry on his work as an evangelist and teach and correct all the false teaching which has been going on, 1 Timothy 1:3-4 / 1 Timothy 1:8.
The prophecies may have been prophecies in general in reference to the work of an evangelist or they may have been specific prophecies of New Testament prophets that were made in reference to Timothy at the beginning of his ministry, Acts 13:2 / Acts 21:8-14.
Paul is basically reminding Timothy that the Holy Spirit had blessed his ministry through inspired preaching that was prophesied through Joel in the Old Testament, Joel 2:28 / Acts 2:17-18 / 2 Timothy 1:6 / 2 Timothy 4:14.
When Timothy recalls these prophecies, it will remind him of his faith, which is essential for the Christian soldier. He shouldn’t betray his trust in God and he should hold on to the cause of His master with unwavering steadfastness.
Christians are involved in spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6:10-18, and when Christians are fully equipped, in trying to win over souls for Christ, our spiritual armour helps us fight ‘the battle well’, 2 Timothy 2:3 / 1 Timothy 4:7 / 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Timothy had been taught what was right from God’s Word, and so, he knows what God’s will is, therefore he must labour in God’s kingdom with ‘a good conscience’, Acts 23:1. In other words, he mustn’t teach or practice anything that he knows is wrong, so creating a guilty conscience. He must remain honest to God and honest to himself.
Sadly, some Christians haven’t fought the battle well, they haven’t held on to the faith and acted in good conscience. It’s those people who have made a shipwreck of their faith by not keeping a good conscience. These are the people who love sin and choose to indulge in sensual inclinations. These people are unfaithful to God, and they reject the whole system of the Gospel.
By compromising what they knew was right, they had destroyed their own faith. As a ship is totally ruined when it strikes a rock and sinks, their entire faith is destroyed. We must note that they didn’t give up being ‘religious’, they simply accepted different doctrines, that were contrary to God’s Word, 1 Timothy 1:3-4.
Paul now gives two brothers, Hymenaeus and Alexander as examples of those who compromised their conscience and as a result, they lost their faith.
The reason Paul mentioned these two men, is because he has the right to do so as an apostle of Christ, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, but more importantly, he didn’t want them to influence others with their false teachings, 2 Timothy 2:3 / 2 Timothy 4:7.
We don’t know exactly what it was they were teaching, but we do know that Hymenaeus is mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:17 in connection with Philetus, the text tells us that their teaching was ‘spreading like gangrene.’
We also know that one of the false teachings which Hymenaeus held was, that the ‘resurrection had already taken place’, 2 Timothy 2:18, and so it’s possible that Alexander held the same view.
The identity of Alexander is uncertain, it could be the one mentioned in Acts 19:33, but we do know in 2 Timothy 4:14, Alexander the coppersmith is mentioned as one who had done the apostle ‘a great deal of harm.’
Notice that Paul, as an apostle, handed them over to Satan, this was done for the purpose of disciplining, Acts 5:1-11 / 1 Corinthians 4:19-21 / 1 Corinthians 5:5 / 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10. What Paul orders is, effectively, the ex-communication of the guilty men, and he describes this course of action as, ‘delivering the man to Satan.’
Outside of the church, which is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, Colossians 1:13, these men are cut off from the people of God, will again be in the domain of Satan, and, consequently, in grave spiritual danger.
You will notice that the whole purpose of them being handed over to Satan is that they might repent and learn not to speak against God or the truth.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Such evil teaching as that of denying the resurrection was equivalent in every way to ‘speaking against God’. It’s absurd to suppose that Paul here refers to a railing disparagement of his own apostolic claims. We are not told here of the exact nature of their ‘blasphemy’, but something far more serious than opposition to Paul is indicated. The two sinners singled out in this verse were gross offenders whom Paul punished for the sake of checking the damage which their example might otherwise have wrought in the church.’
‘If the denial of any future resurrection was involved in their behaviour, along with the teaching that ‘the resurrection was passed already’, this would have led to the exercise of all kinds of sins in the church. That suggests that they were antinomians, teaching that believers should continue in sin that grace may abound.’
