“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message” (2Tim 4:14-15).
Unicorns, Rainbows, and Skittles
“Too blessed to be stressed!” I’m sure you’ve heard this garbage before. A fellow follower of Jesus putting up a phony front, pretending that nothing could be wrong on this side of salvation. Sure there are awesome bennies that come as a result of a relationship with the Lord. But once Christ saves you, it does NOT guarantee a life filled with unicorns, rainbows, and an endless supply of Skittles.
Don’t buy the lie. We should expect a truckload of trouble on this side of Heaven. Jesus told His crew that this world will be an uphill struggle, “but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). I wonder why nobody ever mentions THAT as their life verse? It’s probably more useful that some of the other stuff we take out of context and slap on coffee mugs and bumper stickers.
On the Business End of Heartache
If anybody knew how tough a life of following Jesus could be, it was Paul. The dude was on the business end of all sorts of heartache. He proudly lists them in a letter to the Corinthian church (2Cor 11:23-28). Prison? Check. Beatings? Check. Near death experiences? Check. Floggings? Check. Canings? Check. Stoning? Check. Shipwrecks? Check.
Near the end of his very last letter, Paul not only tells Timothy about one particular guy who was a pain in the apostolic tail, but gives him a heads up to avoid him. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message” (v14-15).
The Meddlesome Metalworker
His point? The struggle IS real. VERY real. Those who love and serve Jesus will indeed have opposition. While the pain is legit, he’s leaving it to the Lord to deal with his antagonist. The apostle tells Tim to keep his head on swivel and not get blindsided by Alexander. The meddlesome metalworker got in the way of the message of the Gospel.
Meet Alexander, the Big Hurt.
A Letter from Prison
Let’s zoom out just a bit to see why the apostle has even brought up the subject of this First Century craftsman in the first place. The year is 67 AD. The place is a prison in the capital city of Rome. The apostle is behind bars for telling people about Jesus (2Tim 1:12, 16; 2:9). The former Pharisee has poured out his life serving the Lord and is awaiting execution (2Tim 4:6-7).
After a series of letters to local churches and a few friends, Paul picks up his pen one final time. He writes to Timothy (2Tim 1:2), a young pastor he’s left to lead the church in Ephesus (1Tim 1:3). With the days of his life rapidly running out, the apostle writes with a pair of purposes. One, pass the baton of ministry to his spiritual son (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, ask to see him one last time (2Tim 4:9, 21).
Here in the final sentences of this epistle, Paul asks Tim to swing by and pick up Mark on his way to Rome (2Tim 4:12). He wants him to stop by Carpus’ crib in Troas and get his winter coat, his personal papers, and Bible (2Tim 4:14).
Examining the Clues
It’s at this point that the apostle tells him about someone who’s been big trouble in the past. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm” (v14). Who is this pesky Alexander, anywho? When we dig a bit into Paul’s story, there are a few clues that might help us out.
All cards on the table. There’s a LOT of discussion and speculation about the identity of Alexander the coppersmith. Some people see strong connections to some other people with the same name. Others see that as a stretch. Is it the same guy? There’s not enough hard evidence to be sure. But there IS a pile of circumstantial clues that might help. Anybody up for a little forensic science, Bible style?
Big Trouble in E City
It’s possible that this is the same guy Luke wrote about in Acts. Around 53 AD, a man by that name tried to speak to the mob during the infamous Ephesian riots. “Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out in one voice, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’” (Acts 19:33-34).
Hmm. Interesting. Let’s keep going. Fast forward five years to 62 AD and we see a guy named Alexander in Ephesus again. Is this the same rascal Paul mentions in his first letter to Timothy? He tells the young preacher how he had to deal with a team of troublemakers in E City which included “Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 1:20).
Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Jump ahead five more years and here’s Paul writing to Tim about some knucklehead with the same handle a third time. He’s done the apostle “great harm” (v14). Somehow, someway, he’s “strongly opposed our message” (v15). Apparently Alexander has caused the apostle one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
If this is really the same Ephesian Alexander, let’s just say the A Train has gone seriously off the rails. At one point, he seems to be coming to Paul’s defense. The next thing you know he does an about-face on the apostle.
When Jesus Is Bad for Business
While we can’t be sure these are all the same Alexander, Paul does tell us that the one in question here in his second note to Timothy is a “coppersmith” (v14). He uses a Greek word (Gr. χαλκευς/chalkeus) that describes a metalworker or a craftsman who fashions metal. It comes from a word that can mean bronze, brass, or copper.
This isn’t the first time the apostle mixed it up with metalworker. Back during those crazy days in Ephesus which Luke wrote about, Paul had a nasty run-in with “a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemus” (Acts 19:24). It seems that the lifesaving message of Jesus is bad for business if you’re business is making idols.
Is Alex a local Ephesian craftsman whose profits are down now that the Gospel’s in town? The Good News has the power to radically change our lives. That includes our jobs. If what you do for a living hurts others and draws them away from Jesus, you probably need to find a new line of work.
Great Harm on Display
While there’s a lot of speculation about Alexander, one thing Paul tells us for sure is that he “did me great harm” (v14). What exactly did he “did?” A closer look at behind the word the ESV translates “did” is quite revealing. Paul uses a Greek verb (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) which means to give proof, demonstrate, point out, display, or exhibit.
In his first letter to the Timothy, the apostle explains how “Jesus might display (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) His perfect patience” to those who trust in Him (1Tim 1:16). He tells his Ephesian friends how God is so rich in mercy and love that one day in the future “He might show (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
Damaging Testimony
This is actually a technical and legal term you can use to describe presenting evidence that leads to an indictment or impeachment. Think of that surprise testimony in a courtroom drama that reveals whodunit. That’s how Paul uses it when telling the Corinthians to “give proof (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) before the churches of your love” to some of his team when they hit tow (2Cor 8:24).
Looking at it this way, it’s very possible Alexander provided damaging false testimony against the apostle at some point. What makes me think so? In verse 16, Paul describes a trial where no one came to testify on his behalf. The Big Hurt may well be a snitch or stool pigeon. Think of some slime ball who lies while turning state’s evidence against an enemy.
The Upper Range of the Scale
Paul tells Tim that this testimony was so damaging that it did him “great harm” (v14). “Great” is the Greek word πολυς/polus, which means many, great, large, plentiful, or severe. Whatever it’s describing, we’re talking about the upper range of the scale. Mark uses it when writing about the day Jesus heals a kid of a demonic spirit. “After crying out and convulsing him terribly (Gr. πολυς/polus)”, the demon eventually left the boy alone (Mk 9:26).
It’s my personal opinion that the ESV’s use of “harm” actually soft sells the sin against Paul. The term in the original language (Gr. κακος/kakos) actually describes something very bad, big trouble, evil, wickedness, or ruin.
A Truckload of Trouble
In his original letter to Tim, the apostle how “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (Gr. κακος/kakos)” (1Tim 6:10). He tells Titus to watch out for the people of Crete because they are well known as “liars, evil (Gr. κακος/kakos) beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).
Whatever he did or said, Alexander has done oodles of evil against the apostle. Plenty of pain. A truckload of trouble. Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas earned the nickname the Big Hurt. Allow me to slap the same label on Paul’s arch enemy. Alexander the coppersmith is the Big Hurt.
The Big Payback
If I was in Paul’s sandals, I could see myself telling Tim to find Alexander and, shall we say, “make the problem go away.” Let’s be honest, we want justice when we’ve been wronged and we want it RIGHT NOW. On the other hand, we want mercy and grace when we’ve hurt somebody ourselves. Justice for them. Mercy for me. Admit it. You want the same thing.
But check out the apostle’s response. “The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (v14). Paul’s not out for revenge. He doesn’t want to put a hurting on the Big Hurt. He leaves the Big Payback up to Jesus. He leaves to the One who knows all the facts completely (omniscient) but more than capable of dishing out the punishment (omnipotent).
As the Righteous Judge, the Lord can handle it. He’s MUCH more qualified for the job than anyone of us. He leaves this one in Jesus’ very capable hands. It makes sense when you realize what Paul wrote to the folks in Rome. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Rom 12:19).
Taking Really Big Problems to an Even Bigger God
Be sure of one thing. The apostle is NOT ignoring the damage the Big Hurt has caused. He’s not playing down the pain Alexander’s inflicted. He’s actually admitting his anger and taking it directly to God. Why? He’s big enough to handle it. The Lord knows EXACTLY what to do and when to do it.
Paul is simply following a tried and true formula God’s people have been using for centuries. Take our big steaming pile of pain and bitterness directly to the Lord and dump it at His throne. A couple of things happen when we do. One, our really big problems get awfully small compared to our even bigger God. Two, He’ll make sure it’s dealt with.
Quivering Loins
Nobody did it better than King David, the guy who earned the rep as the man who chased after the very heart of God (1Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). He wrote a whole slew of songs begging the Righteous Judge to come to his defense and make things right.
Take the 69th Psalm. Among his very specific prayer(?) requests, David specifically asks God to strike his enemies blind and “make their loins tremble continually” (Ps 69:23). I’m not exactly sure what would cause someone’s loins to quiver and not stop and I don’t want to find out!
Tim’s Been Warned
Since Paul believes the Big Hurt is still a clear and present danger, it’s no surprise Tim’s spiritual father tells him, “Beware of him yourself” (v15). It’s clear that the young pastor may well cross paths with the crafty craftsman at some point. Again, I think this points to Alexander living in Ephesus where Timothy leads the local church.
There’s a chance he could be in Troas where Tim will pick up Paul’s stuff (2Tim 4:13). Maybe he’s even in Rome after testifying against the apostle in court. One way or the other, Tim needs to watch his back. The Big Hurt is still a threat.
This may be blatantly obvious but warning others about real threats is critical. Give them a heads up of the dangers out there. Provide a scouting report of people, places, and things that are problems. On the other hand, don’t blow the situation out of proportion. Take another look at what you were sure was a mountain. There’s a chance it was just a molehill.
Getting in the Way of the Gospel
Paul reflects on how Alexander “strongly opposed our message” (v15) back in the day. In his first note to Timothy, he states how spiritual con artists had weaseled their way into the Ephesian church. They peddled a phony gospel which distracted people from following Jesus with crazy myths and complicated family trees (1Tim 1:4-5).
A little later in that letter, the apostle describes how he kicked these troublemakers to the curb and called them by name. “Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 4:20). If the Big Hurt is still a big problem, he clearly hasn’t learned his lesson.
A Hero from Heaven
What is the message Paul and his team took to the world? Quite simply, it’s the message of Jesus. The resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter is the One God promised to send to save us. We trashed God’s perfect creation through our sin and rebellion. But He loves us so much that He sends His one and only Son from Heaven to put out this raging dumpster fire we’ve made.
Just like an astronaut puts on a spacesuit before heading outside the ship, Jesus adds humanity to His divinity before making the trip from Heaven to Earth (Jn 1:14). As the God Man, He goes to work and does for us what we could never do ourselves.
He lives the life of perfect obedience to His Father’s commands that we’ve failed to live. He dies the brutal death for our sin that we should have died. He rises to a glorious new life that we certainly don’t deserve. Jesus graciously offers to trade His spotless perfection for our sin-soaked insurrection (2Cor 5:21).
Expect Trouble
That’s the message Alexander powerfully opposed. If someone had the gall to get in Paul’s way, why should we think things will be any different for you and me when we make a point of telling people about our Savior? This is the apostle’s way of not only warning Timothy but the rest of us of the opposition we can and should expect.
What can we take away from this? First of all, the struggle IS real. Don’t be surprised when the going gets hard when spreading the message of grace. Second, don’t blow off any real injuries. Third, remember that revenge isn’t your job. Take it to the only One qualified to handle it. Fourth, warn others of potential problems and threats.
On the bright side, we don’t have to deal with Alexander the coppersmith any longer. But we need to realize it probably won’t be long before we bump into our own personal Big Hurt. Don’t worry. Jesus can handle them.
©2017
Jay Jennings
Unicorns, Rainbows, and Skittles
“Too blessed to be stressed!” I’m sure you’ve heard this garbage before. A fellow follower of Jesus putting up a phony front, pretending that nothing could be wrong on this side of salvation. Sure there are awesome bennies that come as a result of a relationship with the Lord. But once Christ saves you, it does NOT guarantee a life filled with unicorns, rainbows, and an endless supply of Skittles.
Don’t buy the lie. We should expect a truckload of trouble on this side of Heaven. Jesus told His crew that this world will be an uphill struggle, “but take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). I wonder why nobody ever mentions THAT as their life verse? It’s probably more useful that some of the other stuff we take out of context and slap on coffee mugs and bumper stickers.
On the Business End of Heartache
If anybody knew how tough a life of following Jesus could be, it was Paul. The dude was on the business end of all sorts of heartache. He proudly lists them in a letter to the Corinthian church (2Cor 11:23-28). Prison? Check. Beatings? Check. Near death experiences? Check. Floggings? Check. Canings? Check. Stoning? Check. Shipwrecks? Check.
Near the end of his very last letter, Paul not only tells Timothy about one particular guy who was a pain in the apostolic tail, but gives him a heads up to avoid him. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message” (v14-15).
The Meddlesome Metalworker
His point? The struggle IS real. VERY real. Those who love and serve Jesus will indeed have opposition. While the pain is legit, he’s leaving it to the Lord to deal with his antagonist. The apostle tells Tim to keep his head on swivel and not get blindsided by Alexander. The meddlesome metalworker got in the way of the message of the Gospel.
Meet Alexander, the Big Hurt.
A Letter from Prison
Let’s zoom out just a bit to see why the apostle has even brought up the subject of this First Century craftsman in the first place. The year is 67 AD. The place is a prison in the capital city of Rome. The apostle is behind bars for telling people about Jesus (2Tim 1:12, 16; 2:9). The former Pharisee has poured out his life serving the Lord and is awaiting execution (2Tim 4:6-7).
After a series of letters to local churches and a few friends, Paul picks up his pen one final time. He writes to Timothy (2Tim 1:2), a young pastor he’s left to lead the church in Ephesus (1Tim 1:3). With the days of his life rapidly running out, the apostle writes with a pair of purposes. One, pass the baton of ministry to his spiritual son (2Tim 2:1-4:5). Two, ask to see him one last time (2Tim 4:9, 21).
Here in the final sentences of this epistle, Paul asks Tim to swing by and pick up Mark on his way to Rome (2Tim 4:12). He wants him to stop by Carpus’ crib in Troas and get his winter coat, his personal papers, and Bible (2Tim 4:14).
Examining the Clues
It’s at this point that the apostle tells him about someone who’s been big trouble in the past. “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm” (v14). Who is this pesky Alexander, anywho? When we dig a bit into Paul’s story, there are a few clues that might help us out.
All cards on the table. There’s a LOT of discussion and speculation about the identity of Alexander the coppersmith. Some people see strong connections to some other people with the same name. Others see that as a stretch. Is it the same guy? There’s not enough hard evidence to be sure. But there IS a pile of circumstantial clues that might help. Anybody up for a little forensic science, Bible style?
Big Trouble in E City
It’s possible that this is the same guy Luke wrote about in Acts. Around 53 AD, a man by that name tried to speak to the mob during the infamous Ephesian riots. “Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out in one voice, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’” (Acts 19:33-34).
Hmm. Interesting. Let’s keep going. Fast forward five years to 62 AD and we see a guy named Alexander in Ephesus again. Is this the same rascal Paul mentions in his first letter to Timothy? He tells the young preacher how he had to deal with a team of troublemakers in E City which included “Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 1:20).
Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Jump ahead five more years and here’s Paul writing to Tim about some knucklehead with the same handle a third time. He’s done the apostle “great harm” (v14). Somehow, someway, he’s “strongly opposed our message” (v15). Apparently Alexander has caused the apostle one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
If this is really the same Ephesian Alexander, let’s just say the A Train has gone seriously off the rails. At one point, he seems to be coming to Paul’s defense. The next thing you know he does an about-face on the apostle.
When Jesus Is Bad for Business
While we can’t be sure these are all the same Alexander, Paul does tell us that the one in question here in his second note to Timothy is a “coppersmith” (v14). He uses a Greek word (Gr. χαλκευς/chalkeus) that describes a metalworker or a craftsman who fashions metal. It comes from a word that can mean bronze, brass, or copper.
This isn’t the first time the apostle mixed it up with metalworker. Back during those crazy days in Ephesus which Luke wrote about, Paul had a nasty run-in with “a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemus” (Acts 19:24). It seems that the lifesaving message of Jesus is bad for business if you’re business is making idols.
Is Alex a local Ephesian craftsman whose profits are down now that the Gospel’s in town? The Good News has the power to radically change our lives. That includes our jobs. If what you do for a living hurts others and draws them away from Jesus, you probably need to find a new line of work.
Great Harm on Display
While there’s a lot of speculation about Alexander, one thing Paul tells us for sure is that he “did me great harm” (v14). What exactly did he “did?” A closer look at behind the word the ESV translates “did” is quite revealing. Paul uses a Greek verb (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) which means to give proof, demonstrate, point out, display, or exhibit.
In his first letter to the Timothy, the apostle explains how “Jesus might display (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) His perfect patience” to those who trust in Him (1Tim 1:16). He tells his Ephesian friends how God is so rich in mercy and love that one day in the future “He might show (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
Damaging Testimony
This is actually a technical and legal term you can use to describe presenting evidence that leads to an indictment or impeachment. Think of that surprise testimony in a courtroom drama that reveals whodunit. That’s how Paul uses it when telling the Corinthians to “give proof (Gr. ενδεικνυμι/endeiknumi) before the churches of your love” to some of his team when they hit tow (2Cor 8:24).
Looking at it this way, it’s very possible Alexander provided damaging false testimony against the apostle at some point. What makes me think so? In verse 16, Paul describes a trial where no one came to testify on his behalf. The Big Hurt may well be a snitch or stool pigeon. Think of some slime ball who lies while turning state’s evidence against an enemy.
The Upper Range of the Scale
Paul tells Tim that this testimony was so damaging that it did him “great harm” (v14). “Great” is the Greek word πολυς/polus, which means many, great, large, plentiful, or severe. Whatever it’s describing, we’re talking about the upper range of the scale. Mark uses it when writing about the day Jesus heals a kid of a demonic spirit. “After crying out and convulsing him terribly (Gr. πολυς/polus)”, the demon eventually left the boy alone (Mk 9:26).
It’s my personal opinion that the ESV’s use of “harm” actually soft sells the sin against Paul. The term in the original language (Gr. κακος/kakos) actually describes something very bad, big trouble, evil, wickedness, or ruin.
A Truckload of Trouble
In his original letter to Tim, the apostle how “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (Gr. κακος/kakos)” (1Tim 6:10). He tells Titus to watch out for the people of Crete because they are well known as “liars, evil (Gr. κακος/kakos) beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12).
Whatever he did or said, Alexander has done oodles of evil against the apostle. Plenty of pain. A truckload of trouble. Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas earned the nickname the Big Hurt. Allow me to slap the same label on Paul’s arch enemy. Alexander the coppersmith is the Big Hurt.
The Big Payback
If I was in Paul’s sandals, I could see myself telling Tim to find Alexander and, shall we say, “make the problem go away.” Let’s be honest, we want justice when we’ve been wronged and we want it RIGHT NOW. On the other hand, we want mercy and grace when we’ve hurt somebody ourselves. Justice for them. Mercy for me. Admit it. You want the same thing.
But check out the apostle’s response. “The Lord will repay him according to his deeds” (v14). Paul’s not out for revenge. He doesn’t want to put a hurting on the Big Hurt. He leaves the Big Payback up to Jesus. He leaves to the One who knows all the facts completely (omniscient) but more than capable of dishing out the punishment (omnipotent).
As the Righteous Judge, the Lord can handle it. He’s MUCH more qualified for the job than anyone of us. He leaves this one in Jesus’ very capable hands. It makes sense when you realize what Paul wrote to the folks in Rome. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Rom 12:19).
Taking Really Big Problems to an Even Bigger God
Be sure of one thing. The apostle is NOT ignoring the damage the Big Hurt has caused. He’s not playing down the pain Alexander’s inflicted. He’s actually admitting his anger and taking it directly to God. Why? He’s big enough to handle it. The Lord knows EXACTLY what to do and when to do it.
Paul is simply following a tried and true formula God’s people have been using for centuries. Take our big steaming pile of pain and bitterness directly to the Lord and dump it at His throne. A couple of things happen when we do. One, our really big problems get awfully small compared to our even bigger God. Two, He’ll make sure it’s dealt with.
Quivering Loins
Nobody did it better than King David, the guy who earned the rep as the man who chased after the very heart of God (1Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). He wrote a whole slew of songs begging the Righteous Judge to come to his defense and make things right.
Take the 69th Psalm. Among his very specific prayer(?) requests, David specifically asks God to strike his enemies blind and “make their loins tremble continually” (Ps 69:23). I’m not exactly sure what would cause someone’s loins to quiver and not stop and I don’t want to find out!
Tim’s Been Warned
Since Paul believes the Big Hurt is still a clear and present danger, it’s no surprise Tim’s spiritual father tells him, “Beware of him yourself” (v15). It’s clear that the young pastor may well cross paths with the crafty craftsman at some point. Again, I think this points to Alexander living in Ephesus where Timothy leads the local church.
There’s a chance he could be in Troas where Tim will pick up Paul’s stuff (2Tim 4:13). Maybe he’s even in Rome after testifying against the apostle in court. One way or the other, Tim needs to watch his back. The Big Hurt is still a threat.
This may be blatantly obvious but warning others about real threats is critical. Give them a heads up of the dangers out there. Provide a scouting report of people, places, and things that are problems. On the other hand, don’t blow the situation out of proportion. Take another look at what you were sure was a mountain. There’s a chance it was just a molehill.
Getting in the Way of the Gospel
Paul reflects on how Alexander “strongly opposed our message” (v15) back in the day. In his first note to Timothy, he states how spiritual con artists had weaseled their way into the Ephesian church. They peddled a phony gospel which distracted people from following Jesus with crazy myths and complicated family trees (1Tim 1:4-5).
A little later in that letter, the apostle describes how he kicked these troublemakers to the curb and called them by name. “Among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Tim 4:20). If the Big Hurt is still a big problem, he clearly hasn’t learned his lesson.
A Hero from Heaven
What is the message Paul and his team took to the world? Quite simply, it’s the message of Jesus. The resurrected Rabbi/Carpenter is the One God promised to send to save us. We trashed God’s perfect creation through our sin and rebellion. But He loves us so much that He sends His one and only Son from Heaven to put out this raging dumpster fire we’ve made.
Just like an astronaut puts on a spacesuit before heading outside the ship, Jesus adds humanity to His divinity before making the trip from Heaven to Earth (Jn 1:14). As the God Man, He goes to work and does for us what we could never do ourselves.
He lives the life of perfect obedience to His Father’s commands that we’ve failed to live. He dies the brutal death for our sin that we should have died. He rises to a glorious new life that we certainly don’t deserve. Jesus graciously offers to trade His spotless perfection for our sin-soaked insurrection (2Cor 5:21).
Expect Trouble
That’s the message Alexander powerfully opposed. If someone had the gall to get in Paul’s way, why should we think things will be any different for you and me when we make a point of telling people about our Savior? This is the apostle’s way of not only warning Timothy but the rest of us of the opposition we can and should expect.
What can we take away from this? First of all, the struggle IS real. Don’t be surprised when the going gets hard when spreading the message of grace. Second, don’t blow off any real injuries. Third, remember that revenge isn’t your job. Take it to the only One qualified to handle it. Fourth, warn others of potential problems and threats.
On the bright side, we don’t have to deal with Alexander the coppersmith any longer. But we need to realize it probably won’t be long before we bump into our own personal Big Hurt. Don’t worry. Jesus can handle them.
©2017
Jay Jennings
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