In brief
Alexander the coppersmith is a man named by Paul in his last letter, written in captivity as he sensed his death drawing near. Paul writes that Alexander did him great harm and strongly opposed his words, then warns Timothy to beware of him (2 Timothy 4:14-15). He leaves him to the Lord's judgment without seeking revenge. An Alexander is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20, but nothing proves that he is the same man.
What does the name Alexander the Coppersmith mean?
Alexander is a very common Greek name, generally understood as “protector of men.” The word translated as “coppersmith” refers to a craftsman who works metal, especially copper or bronze; the Bible gives no other detail about him.
The story of Alexander the Coppersmith
An Alexander handed over to Satan
1 Timothy 1:18-20In his first letter, Paul urges Timothy to wage the good warfare by holding on to faith and a good conscience. He names Hymenaeus and Alexander, who made shipwreck of the faith and whom he delivered to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme. Many think this is the coppersmith, but the text does not allow us to affirm it.
Paul alone in captivity
2 Timothy 4:6-13Later, Paul writes to Timothy from captivity. He knows that the time of his departure is near: he has fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith. Demas has deserted him, others have left, and only Luke is with him. It is in this context of isolation that he speaks of Alexander.
Great harm to the apostle
2 Timothy 4:14Paul writes, “Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,” but he does not specify the nature of this harm. He does not take revenge and does not ask Timothy to do so: he entrusts the repayment to the Lord, the righteous judge of whom he spoke a few verses earlier.
A warning for Timothy
2 Timothy 4:15Paul adds that Timothy must beware of him as well, “for he greatly opposed our words.” Alexander's opposition is aimed not only at Paul but at the message of the gospel. Timothy must stay watchful, because such an adversary can still harm the work of God and the believers he serves.
The Lord stood by him
2 Timothy 4:16-18Paul recounts that at his first defense everyone deserted him, and he asks that it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by him and strengthened him, so that all the Gentiles might hear the message. Faced with the harm he suffered, Paul keeps his eyes on God's faithfulness and on his heavenly kingdom.
What Alexander the Coppersmith teaches us
- When someone harms us, we can place justice in the Lord's hands instead of taking revenge.
- Entrusting an offense to God does not prevent us from wisely warning others about a real danger.
- Opposition to the gospel can come from people close to the church, and it calls for vigilance.
- Even when abandoned by people, the servant of God can count on the Lord who stands by him and strengthens him.
Key verses
Paul names Alexander the coppersmith, says that he did him great harm and entrusts his repayment to the Lord, while warning Timothy to beware of him.
“Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath”: faced with Alexander, Paul lives out what he himself taught by leaving the repayment to the Lord.
After being abandoned and attacked, Paul testifies that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him so that all the Gentiles might hear the message.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Alexander the Coppersmith
- The Living Word, Daily NourishmentIn chapter 4, Paul is alone: Demas has deserted him, Alexander the coppersmith did him great harm, no one stood by him. And yet he testifies that the Lord strengthened him.
- Bouncing Back After Failure: Turn the Page with GodMaybe you too have an “Alexander” who deliberately harmed you. Paul does not return the harm: he entrusts it to God, because your priority is to please God, not to settle scores.
- God Wants All People to Be SavedThe preacher notes that Paul, after exhausting every attempt, handed Alexander over entirely to God, writing that the Lord would repay him according to his deeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alexander the coppersmith the Alexander of 1 Timothy 1:20?
It is possible, but the Bible does not say so. The name Alexander was very common. In 1 Timothy 1:20, Paul names an Alexander who made shipwreck of the faith; in 2 Timothy 4:14, he specifies “the coppersmith”. Another Alexander also appears in Ephesus in Acts 19:33. It is best to stay cautious about these connections.
What harm did Alexander do to Paul?
The text does not say. Paul says only that Alexander did him great harm and strongly opposed his words (2 Timothy 4:14-15). Some suppose that he testified against Paul at his trial, but that is only a hypothesis. What is certain is that he opposed the message of the gospel.
Where is Alexander the coppersmith found in the Bible?
Alexander the coppersmith is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14-15. For the context, read the whole of chapter 4, Paul's last exhortation to Timothy. You can compare it with 1 Timothy 1:18-20, which names an Alexander alongside Hymenaeus, without certainty that he is the same man.