Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
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2 Timothy 4:14
What does 2 Timothy 4:14 mean?
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2 Timothy 4:14
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It's easy to hear this as Paul just wishing ill will, but his focus is actually on God's justice. By declaring "the Lord will repay him," Paul is trusting that God, not himself, is the ultimate judge and will deal with Alexander’s wrongdoing in His perfect timing and wisdom. This shows a profound commitment to divine justice over personal vengeance.
Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is nearing the end of his life, writing his final letter to Timothy, and he's reflecting on the hardships he's faced in ministry, particularly the opposition from people like Alexander. He's recounting betrayals and struggles, and in this moment, he brings up a specific individual who caused him significant trouble, entrusting the final judgment to God. This immediately precedes his instructions to Timothy on how to handle difficult people and faithfully preach the Word, even when it's unpopular.
Paul wasn't immune to betrayal or harm from others. How did he process this pain?
Even apostles like Paul faced opposition and suffering at the hands of others. Alexander the coppersmith is a prime example of someone who actively worked against Paul and the gospel. This wasn't a passive disagreement; it was 'great harm.'
It's crucial to see that Alexander's actions were his choices. Paul doesn't blame circumstances or God for the harm; he names Alexander as the perpetrator. This reminds us that while we might feel victimized, the individuals causing harm are responsible for their own deeds.
Paul faced injustice, but his response wasn't revenge. What does that teach us about handling hurt?
Paul's final word on Alexander is powerful: 'the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.' This is not a call for Paul to exact personal vengeance. Instead, it's a profound declaration of trust in God's perfect justice.
Paul understood that he was not the judge. His role was to proclaim the gospel and endure hardship, not to administer punishment. He placed Alexander's fate squarely in God's hands, trusting that the all-knowing and all-righteous God would deal with the situation appropriately. This is a model for us: forgive, trust God with justice, and focus on obedience.
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kyrios · Greek Noun
The supreme deity of the Bible, the Creator and Sovereign Ruler of the universe who is just and righteous in all His judgments. He is the ultimate judge who settles accounts and rewards or punishes according to human actions.
erga · Greek Noun
Refers to the moral or physical acts committed by an individual, which serve as evidence of their heart and faith (or lack thereof). These are the basis upon which divine justice or human accountability is often measured.
Alexander's actions likely stemmed from the same kind of economic and religious opposition Paul faced in cities like Ephesus, highlighting that even in his final moments, the apostle contended with persistent, harmful resistance to the Gospel.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
During Paul's extensive ministry in Ephesus, a major center of trade and religion, he encountered significant opposition from various groups, including artisans whose livelihoods were threatened by his teachings.
c. AD 53-57
The Silversmiths' Riot
In Ephesus, Demetrius the silversmith incited a riot against Paul, fearing that Paul's preaching against idols would harm their trade in shrines to the goddess Artemis. This shows the kind of hostility Paul faced from craftsmen.
c. AD 64-67— this verse
Paul's Final Imprisonment in Rome
Facing his second and final imprisonment in Rome, likely awaiting execution, Paul writes his last known letter, 2 Timothy, to his beloved protégé Timothy.
c. AD 64-67
Alexander's Opposition
During this period of severe persecution and likely isolation for Paul in Rome, Alexander the coppersmith actively opposed Paul, causing him considerable harm and distress.
This verse speaks about Satan disguising himself as an angel of light, which relates to Alexander's betrayal by someone who may have appeared friendly or trustworthy, only to cause harm.
Proverbs 24:29This proverb advises not to say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me,' echoing Paul's restraint from personal vengeance and his trust in God's ultimate justice.
Romans 12:19Paul explicitly instructs believers to 'never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God,' which directly informs his reliance on God's judgment for Alexander's actions.
2 Samuel 16:12King David, when cursed by Shimei, expresses a similar sentiment of allowing God to deal with the situation, stating, 'It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will return good for this cursing of me this day,' mirroring Paul's faith in divine retribution.
It's easy to hear this as Paul just wishing ill will, but his focus is actually on God's justice. By declaring "the Lord will repay him," Paul is trusting that God, not himself, is the ultimate judge and will deal with Alexander’s wrongdoing in His perfect timing and wisdom. This shows a profound commitment to divine justice over personal vengeance.
Paul is nearing the end of his life, writing his final letter to Timothy, and he's reflecting on the hardships he's faced in ministry, particularly the opposition from people like Alexander. He's recounting betrayals and struggles, and in this moment, he brings up a specific individual who caused him significant trouble, entrusting the final judgment to God. This immediately precedes his instructions to Timothy on how to handle difficult people and faithfully preach the Word, even when it's unpopular.
Paul is nearing the end of his life, writing his final letter to Timothy, and he's reflecting on the hardships he's faced in ministry, particularly the opposition from people like Alexander. He's recounting betrayals and struggles, and in this moment, he brings up a specific individual who caused him significant trouble, entrusting the final judgment to God. This immediately precedes his instructions to Timothy on how to handle difficult people and faithfully preach the Word, even when it's unpopular.
"Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds." — It's easy to hear this as Paul just wishing ill will, but his focus is actually on God's justice. By declaring "the Lord will repay him," Paul is trusting that God, not himself, is the ultimate judge…
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Last reviewed October 2026