Alexander

Info

#opponent
Home:: Ephesian Church (likely)
Other Locales:: None recorded
References:: 1 Timothy 1#1:20, 2 Timothy 4#4:14, possibly Acts 19#19:33

Notes

"Handed over to Satan" with Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1#1:20)
"Did me great harm" and "strongly opposed our message" (2 Timothy 4#4:14-15)
Paul calls him "the coppersmith" in 2 Timothy

Summary

Alexander appears in two Pastoral Epistles and possibly Acts, though the name was common and multiple individuals may be involved.

In 1 Timothy 1#1:20, Alexander is paired with Hymenaeus as one who "made shipwreck of their faith." Paul has "handed them over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme", a disciplinary expulsion from the church. The nature of Alexander's offense is not specified beyond "blasphemy," but his pairing with Hymenaeus suggests involvement in false teaching.

In 2 Timothy 4#4:14-15, Paul writes: "Alexander the coppersmith (chalkeus) did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message." The identification as "the coppersmith" distinguishes this Alexander from others with the same name, he was a metalworker in Ephesus. His opposition was personal ("did me great harm") and doctrinal ("strongly opposed our message"). Paul warns Timothy to guard against him, implying Alexander remained active and dangerous in or near Ephesus.

In Acts 19#19:33, during the Ephesian riot, "some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward," to speak. He attempted defense but was shouted down. If this is the same Alexander, he may have begun as a Jewish-Christian leader who later turned against Paul, though the identification is uncertain.

Opposition to Paul came from inside the church, from former insiders who actively worked to undermine Paul's message and authority.

References

wrightChallengeActsRediscovering2024 - Wright's study of Acts as theological history, covering Alexander's role in Acts 19:33.
polhillActs1992 - Polhill's Acts commentary covering Alexander in Acts 19:33.
paoActsIsaianicNew2002 - Pao's study of Acts through the lens of Isaiah's new exodus, providing theological context for Alexander's narrative in Acts 19:33.
addisonActsMovementGod2023 - Addison examines the Acts narrative as a movement model, including Alexander's contribution in Acts 19:33.
Who was Alexander the coppersmith? - GotQuestions.org
2 Timothy 4:14 Commentaries - BibleHub