2 Timothy 4:14-17
Whatever Alexander the coppersmith did to the Apostle Paul, it nearly destroyed Paul’s ministry. The little insight that we get is found in this passage and it appears that he withstood Paul publicly over what Paul was preaching. When Paul attempted to answer the contradictions of Alexander, “no man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (2 Timothy 4:16). Can you imagine every person in Paul’s entourage leaving him because his answer against Alexander’s accusations was so flimsy?
Because of this public humiliation, the Lord began to strengthen Paul so that his preaching would be fully known, “and that all the Gentiles might hear” (2 Timothy 4:17). The strengthening of the Lord came as a result of the confrontation, but what it provided was much more important. God took Paul aside and strengthened the message of grace in his heart. It was not the preaching of law that Paul needed help with, for he was raised in that message; it was the preaching of grace to the Gentiles.
Had it not been for this public incident with Alexander, Paul might have never got alone with God and found answers to pressing problems with his message of grace. Only when he was cornered, with no knowledge as to how to answer the detractors, did he begin to ask the right questions. This moment of intense heat and pressure probably seemed like quite a trial while he was going through it, but it became clear that this was needful if Paul was to be the preacher that would change the world.
Rather than running away from all of our controversies and opposition, we should realize that sometimes we need our Alexanders. These moments make us ready to face the giants of the world, and equip us to say what must be said. It took a smooth stone to fire just right from David’s sling to crush the skull of Goliath. No stone is smooth automatically; it takes years of being worn down in the creek by the rushing water and the grinding of its neighboring stones. Such is the believer, worn by the attacks of the world, and the minor confrontations on a day-to-day basis; equipped to do better than ever before.
Paul recognized the role that Alexander had played in his development, though Alexander never intended to be remembered that way I am sure. Instead of asking God to judge Alexander, Paul requests that God “reward him according to his works” (2 Timothy 4:14). We cannot tell who is righteous and who is unrighteous and it is best to let God judge those in this world (1 Corinthians 5:13). Instead, we know that we will receive rewards for the things that we do in this life (1 Corinthians 3:8). Paul prays the prayer of a man who is redeemed by grace; able to see life for what it is and thank God for the things that have made him a better preacher and a better man.
The Lord is able to deliver you out of the mouth of the lion (2 Timothy 4:17), just as He did Paul. In the meantime, learn to recognize the moments when adversity makes you stronger and when opposition causes you to go back to the Word of God. Questions and challenges against you and your faith are not bad; in fact, they are often exactly what you need so that you know what you believe and why you believe it.
Whatever Alexander the coppersmith did to the Apostle Paul, it nearly destroyed Paul’s ministry. The little insight that we get is found in this passage and it appears that he withstood Paul publicly over what Paul was preaching. When Paul attempted to answer the contradictions of Alexander, “no man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (2 Timothy 4:16). Can you imagine every person in Paul’s entourage leaving him because his answer against Alexander’s accusations was so flimsy?
Because of this public humiliation, the Lord began to strengthen Paul so that his preaching would be fully known, “and that all the Gentiles might hear” (2 Timothy 4:17). The strengthening of the Lord came as a result of the confrontation, but what it provided was much more important. God took Paul aside and strengthened the message of grace in his heart. It was not the preaching of law that Paul needed help with, for he was raised in that message; it was the preaching of grace to the Gentiles.
Had it not been for this public incident with Alexander, Paul might have never got alone with God and found answers to pressing problems with his message of grace. Only when he was cornered, with no knowledge as to how to answer the detractors, did he begin to ask the right questions. This moment of intense heat and pressure probably seemed like quite a trial while he was going through it, but it became clear that this was needful if Paul was to be the preacher that would change the world.
Rather than running away from all of our controversies and opposition, we should realize that sometimes we need our Alexanders. These moments make us ready to face the giants of the world, and equip us to say what must be said. It took a smooth stone to fire just right from David’s sling to crush the skull of Goliath. No stone is smooth automatically; it takes years of being worn down in the creek by the rushing water and the grinding of its neighboring stones. Such is the believer, worn by the attacks of the world, and the minor confrontations on a day-to-day basis; equipped to do better than ever before.
Paul recognized the role that Alexander had played in his development, though Alexander never intended to be remembered that way I am sure. Instead of asking God to judge Alexander, Paul requests that God “reward him according to his works” (2 Timothy 4:14). We cannot tell who is righteous and who is unrighteous and it is best to let God judge those in this world (1 Corinthians 5:13). Instead, we know that we will receive rewards for the things that we do in this life (1 Corinthians 3:8). Paul prays the prayer of a man who is redeemed by grace; able to see life for what it is and thank God for the things that have made him a better preacher and a better man.
The Lord is able to deliver you out of the mouth of the lion (2 Timothy 4:17), just as He did Paul. In the meantime, learn to recognize the moments when adversity makes you stronger and when opposition causes you to go back to the Word of God. Questions and challenges against you and your faith are not bad; in fact, they are often exactly what you need so that you know what you believe and why you believe it.
