1 Timothy 1:20 - Exposition

Delivered for have delivered , A.V.; might be taught for may learn , A.V. Hymenaeus ; probably the same as is mentioned 2 Timothy 2:17 , 2 Timothy 2:18 , as holding heretical doctrine concerning the resurrection, anti overthrowing the faith of some. It is an uncommon name, though borne by a Bishop of Alexandria in the second century, and by a Bishop of Jerusalem in the third. Alexander ; doubtless the same as "Alexander the coppersmith" of 2 Timothy 4:14 . I delivered unto Satan. The passages in Scripture which throw light on this difficult phrase are, chiefly, the following: the almost identical passage, 1 Corinthians 5:5 ; Job 1:12 ; Job 2:6 , Job 2:7 ; Luke 13:10 ; Acts 5:5 , Acts 5:10 ; Acts 10:38 ; Acts 13:11 ; 1 Corinthians 11:30 ; 2 Corinthians 12:7 ; and Hebrews 2:14 . Putting these together, it appears that sickness and bodily infirmity and death are, within certain limits, in the power of Satan to inflict. And that the apostles were able, on fitting occasions, to hand over peccant members of the Church to this power of Satan, that by such discipline "the spirit might be saved." In the case of Hymenaeus and Alexander (as in that of the incestuous person at Corinth), the punishment incident on this delivery to Satan would appear to have been short or' death, but in the ease of the two first not to have had the effect of bringing them to a true repentance. Might be taught ( παιδευθῶσι ); viz. by correction and punishment, as children are taught ( Hebrews 12:6-8 ). The metaphor in the word κολαφίζειν ( 2 Corinthians 12:7 ) is similar.