2 Timothy 4:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Here he again recalls a trial, not merely to reproach or condemn the man mentioned, but to inspire his disciple for struggles. He disposes him to endure trials courageously. Even if those who cause trials are of no account, even if they are insignificant and contemptible, one must, he says, endure everything courageously. Whoever suffers wrong from an important person finds no small consolation in that person’s high station. But whoever suffers from a low and contemptible person receives greater grief. “He did me much harm,” that is, he insulted me in various ways.

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm.” The Apostle recalls this trial not in order to reproach the man, but to persuade his disciple to endure courageously the trials that come from insignificant and contemptible people. Many, when they suffer insults from distinguished people, endure them, finding some consolation in the high rank of those who insult them. But to suffer from insignificant and rejected people causes greater sorrow. Therefore Paul says, “he did me much harm,” meaning that he made me suffer severely and in many ways. This is usually how it happens. When insignificant and base people begin to do evil, they show no mercy at all, caring nothing for public opinion. “May the Lord repay him according to his works!” Be courageous, says the Apostle.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. God will repay him according to his works, which he committed against us. He was a companion of Simon the Magician, as the Chronographer of Caesarea reports.

This is a prediction, not an oath. The Apostle said this to console blessed Timothy and to teach him not to be distressed by the successive uprisings of opponents. It is in no way surprising that a coppersmith stirred up disturbances against the Apostle and brought him into danger. Those who live by the labor of their hands are prone to stir up the people. Thus Demetrius the silversmith armed the whole of Ephesus against Paul.

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm.” He caused me many sorrows. “May the Lord repay him according to his works.” This is not a curse, but a prediction, for the Lord will certainly repay him for his wickedness. He recalled the insults from this Alexander not from a desire to condemn him, but in order to dispose his disciple to endure offenses and evils even from wholly insignificant people. Indeed, one who suffers evil from an important person has at least some satisfaction for his self-love in that person’s superiority. But one who suffers evil from a low and insignificant person experiences a double sorrow.

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm." It is thought that this was one of the participants in the Ephesian riot against the Apostle (Acts 19:33). The mention of him leads one to suppose that even now he continued his hostile actions against Christians.

The Apostle Paul, informing Timothy of his own approaching death, asks him to come to him quickly. He says how all except Luke have abandoned him. He gives Timothy certain instructions for the journey, tells of the help from God that was shown to him after his first interrogation in court, and commands him to greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. He also sends greetings from certain Roman brethren.

Among his many personal enemies, the Apostle mentions only Alexander. This is certainly not because he was a remarkable man, but because he was as stubborn an opponent of Christianity as Demetrius the silversmith. Demetrius had stood at the head of those who rose against Paul in Ephesus, because he overthrew the service of Artemis. They earned much by producing statues and statuettes for that service. Perhaps no lesser self-interest moved Alexander the coppersmith to rise against Christianity. It seemed to take away the earnings of him and his companions, of whom there may have been many. According to John Chrysostom, the Apostle speaks as if saying, “He, Alexander, wages war against the Gospel and opposes it. This will not pass unpunished for him. Guard yourself.

In the following reports about himself and his work, the Apostle appears to us as one who has in no way lost courage, even in view of his approaching death. For example, he remembers the cloak left in Troas and some books that he needed. Speaking of his first appearance at trial or interrogation, he notes that no acquaintances or friends were seen around him. According to Roman custom, such people supported the accused with their voices. But the Lord helped him instead. He had promised to give His apostles the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they might stand firm at trial (Mt 10:19-20). Thus the preaching of the Gospel was fulfilled. Proclaimed in the world city, before representatives of world authority, it reached, so to speak, its culminating point.

This Alexander is not the one who quieted the crowd during its uprising against Saint Paul in Ephesus (see Acts 19). That man was literate and indifferent to the interests of the smiths. More likely, he was a companion of Demetrius the silversmith and had his own workshop for bronze goods, χαλκευς. Perhaps he is not the same man mentioned in 1 Tim 1:20, though he could more likely have been that man despite his trade. But determining this is unimportant. It is also unimportant to determine where he showed opposition and malice toward the Apostle, whether in Rome or in Ephesus. Nor is it crucial whether the Apostle’s word recalls something earlier or something present, namely what happened in Rome.