2 Timothy 4:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

NIV: You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

NASB: Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

CSB: Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.

NLT: Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.

KJV: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

NKJV: You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

Alexander caused Paul great harm (2 Timothy 4:14) and was apparently still doing so when Paul wrote this letter. As a result, Paul warned Timothy against him as well. Alexander was not merely a skeptic, but "strongly opposed" the gospel. He was a coppersmith who may have opposed Paul because he made his living creating copper gods and goddesses for his community similar to Demetrius the silversmith in Acts 19:23–41.

If this man is the same Alexander as in 1 Timothy 1:20, he was a false teacher and coppersmith in Ephesus who had been a problem to both Paul and Timothy. He was against the gospel and tried to cause problems in the church. God would judge him (2 Timothy 4:14), which may connect with Paul's words in 1 Timothy 1:20 about Hymenaeus and Alexander being "handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." In the prior verse, Paul cited Psalm 28 in reference to Alexander, clearly indicating that he was not a believer.

Second Timothy 4:9–18 updates Timothy on Paul's ministry partners, as well as his antagonists. Some of Paul's friends have been sent out on missionary causes. Others, such as Demas, have turned their back on Paul and abandoned him. Only Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, is still with him. Paul specifically warns Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith. Paul knows full well that he will not survive this trip through the Roman legal system. Rather than despair, he still rejoices in his salvation and praises God.

Paul summarizes his instructions to Timothy, through a practical application of his prior teachings. Timothy is "charged" by Paul to defend his faith, against all error and false teaching, at all times. Timothy will face resistance. Paul also openly admits that his life is nearly over, so Timothy will need to soldier on without him. After this, Paul gives some personal updates about his situation, giving Timothy a few instructions and advice about particular people. Paul makes a final appeal for Timothy to visit him, then closes his letter—as he will close his life—focused on the grace of God.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.

Accessed 11/23/2024 4:14:50 PM