1 Timothy 1:20

1 Timothy 1:20

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

a. ASV: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

  

b. YLT: Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I did deliver to the Adversary, that they might be instructed not to speak evil.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan in order that they may be disciplined [by punishment and learn] not to blaspheme.

1. “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander…”

a. Of whom [Strong: 3739 hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. is [Strong: 2076  estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.

c. Hymenaeus [Strong: 5211 Hymenaîos, hoo-men-ah'-yos; from Ὑμήν Hymḗn (the god of weddings); "hymenæal"; Hymenæus, an opponent of Christianity:—Hymenæus.]  [Unger’s Bible Dictionary] “Pertaining to Hymen, the god of marriage, a person in Ephesus twice named in the Epistles of Timothy, who along with Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20) and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:18) had departed from the truth in faith and practice. The chief doctrinal error of these persons consisted in maintaining that “the resurrection was past already” 2 Timothy 2:18. The precise meaning of this expression is by no means clearly ascertained; the most general and perhaps best founded opinion is, that they understood the resurrection in a figurative sense of the great change produced by the gospel dispensation. Thus he stands as on of the earliest of the Gnostics.”]

d. and [Strong: 2532  kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. Alexander [Strong: 223 Aléxandros, al-ex'-an-dros; from the same as (the first part of) G220 and G435; man-defender; Alexander, the name of three Israelites and one other man:—Alexander.]  [Unger’s Bible Dictionary] In 1 Timothy 1:20: A coppersmith, who with Hymenaeus and others apostatized. It is not certain, but not at all improbable, that he is the same person as the one mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14, who seems to have opposed and hindered Paul.

2. “…whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

a. whom [Strong: 3739 hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. [I have] delivered [Strong: 3860  paradídōmi, par-ad-id'-o-mee; from G3844 and G1325; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit:—betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.] [Zodhiates:paradidomi; para-to the side of; didomi-to give; To deliver over or up to the power of someone…for trial or condemnation, Mark 15:1; to soldiers, Matthew 18:34; of persons, Delivered over to suffer something, Romans 1:24, 26, 28;] [Thayer: The phrase seems to have originated from the Jewish formulas of excommunication because a person banished from the theocratic assembly was regarded as deprived of the protection of God and delivered up to the power of the devil.]

1). This phrase is used only one other time by Paul, in 1 Corinthians.

a). 1 Corinthians 5:5To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2). Dake: “The purpose of delivering him to Satan was to destroy the flesh. This required members to withdraw all fellowship and spiritual influence from him, and to quit praying for him, so as to permit Satan to afflict his body thus perhaps bringing him to repentance, that his spirit might be saved in the end…This destruction did not kill the man.   Whatever it was, it was capable of bringing him to repentance.”

3). Unger’s Bible Dictionary: “The formula of delivering or handing over to Satan, admits of difference of interpretation. Some interpret it as being merely a symbol of excommunication, which involves “exclusion from all Christian fellowship and consequently banishment to the society from which the offender had publicly severed himself” (Dr. David Brown). This “handing over to Satan was an apostolic act, a supernatural infliction of bodily infirmity, or disease, or death, as a penalty for grievous sin. It is scarcely doubtful that St. Paul delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan, in order that Satan might have power to afflict their bodies, with a view to their spiritual amelioration” (Dr. Alfred Plummer).

4). Though this was an apostolic act, I believe it can be a local congregational act as well. What must be in mind is that this action was taken and if necessary be taken with repentance as the goal. Steps of Excommunication from Jesus.

a). Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

5). Jesus said that whatever decision is come to in a righteous manner will be backed up by God.

a). Matthew 18:18-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father.

18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.

3. “…that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

a. that [Strong: 2443  hína, hin'-ah; probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):—albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. [they may] learn [Strong: 3811 paideúō, pahee-dyoo'-o; from G3816; to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment):—chasten(-ise), instruct, learn, teach.] [Vincent: “…may be taught by punishment or disciplined.”]

c. not [Strong: 3361 mḗ, may; a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:—any but (that), × forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

d. [to] blaspheme [Strong: 987  blasphēméō, blas-fay-meh'-o; from G989; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously:—(speak) blaspheme(-er, -mously, -my), defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.]