CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
2 Timothy 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. Acts 19:33, and margin R.V.).
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 2 Timothy 4:14-15
Opposition to the Truth—
I. Is often violently persistent.—“For he hath greatly withstood our words” (2 Timothy 4:15). Probably the Alexander at Ephesus, put forward by the Jews during the riot there (1 Timothy 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” (2 Timothy 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” (2 Timothy 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” (2 Timothy 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.