As Paul
continued to complete his final words to Timothy his “dearly
beloved son”, he shared concerning “Alexander the
Coppersmith” who did him “much evil”. Paul desired
for “ the Lord reward” to
“him according to
his works”, and in
chapter four and verse fourteen of this final letter, Paul gave a
warning to Timothy concerning “Alexander”
where we read:
Of whom
beware also; for he has greatly withstood our words.
The
verse begins, “Of whom beware also;” Paul
began with, “Of whom”
which refers to “Alexander the Coppersmith”
in person, “beware”
which is the Greek phrase “phylasso sy phylasso” which means
“guarded, watchful and observant” “also” which
means “as well and indeed”. Paul knew “Alexander”
was so “evil” he
would not stop with tormenting Paul, but he would also attack Timothy
as well.
The
verse goes on to say, “for he has greatly withstood our
words.” Paul added, “for
he has greatly” which is the
Greek phrase “anthistemi lian anthistemi” which means
“exceedingly and beyond measure” “withstood”
which means “set oneself against, resist and opposed” “our
words” or “speech,
discourse, doctrine and teaching”. “Alexander”
resisted Paul's words which were do doubt the gospel of Jesus Christ
which included Jesus dying on the cross, raising from the dead and
washing away all the sins of those who will simply believe and trust
in Him.
When
we think through Paul's words, we recognize there are some people who
are not satisfied with tormenting just one person, but also anyone
who affects their life. The gospel of Jesus Christ had an impact upon
“Alexander” as it
does when anyone hears it, and although it was not in a godly way,
“Alexander” had to
manage its penetration in his life. The “words”
of Paul were greatly opposed by “Alexander”,
and Timothy was to expect no less from his own. Do we have those who
“oppose” our
“words” in our
lives? Have their conditions been altered by the gospel? Are they
resisting the truth we share? Perhaps we should learn from Paul and
turn them over to “the Lord”
to “reward” them
“for their works”,
and we will also do well to warn others who know them of their
pernicious deeds.
Next
time Paul tells Timothy how “all men forsook” him,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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