After listing a
few men who were once a part of the ministry with Paul, he asked
Timothy to bring him a few practical items such his “cloke
that” he “left at
Troas with Carpus” “and the books, but
especially the parchments” which were the
word of God. In chapter four and verse fourteen of this final letter
from Paul, he named personally “Alexander
the Coppersmith” as being one who did him
“much evil” where
we read:
Alexander
the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to
his works:
The
verse begin, “Alexander the Coppersmith did me much
evil:” Paul began with,
“Alexander” whose name means
“man defender” “the Coppersmith”
or “worker in copper or iron” “did” or “showed,
demonstrated, proved, displayed and put forth whether by work or act”
“me much evil” which means
“toward Paul himself - troublesome, injurious, pernicious,
destructive and baneful acting”. No doubt “Alexander”
was very difficult for Paul because he named him personally as being
the perpetrator.
The
verse continues, “the Lord reward him according to his
works:” Paul continued, “the
Lord” who is “he to whom a
person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding, master
and a title of honor expressive of respect and reverence that is
given to God and the Messiah” “reward”
or “deliver, discharge, requite and recompense” “him”
speaking of “Alexander” “according to”
or “down from, throughout, toward and along” “his
works” which refers to
“Alexander's business, employments, occupations, enterprises,
undertakings, acts, deeds and industry”. Paul's desire was for “the
Lord” to “recompense”
“Alexander” with
the same measure of “deeds” which he poured out upon Paul.
When
we meditate upon Paul's words, we do not want to be as “Alexander”
was and do “evil”
toward those who present and carry the gospel. It is thought that
Paul became a threat to “Alexander's” business as a “coppersmith”
because “Alexander”
was a maker and fashioner of “idols”. When people received Jesus
as their Lord and Savior, their “idols” were no longer necessary,
and “Alexander's”
business declined. It is amazing what people will do when their
“pocketbook” is affected. We also learn how to manage someone who
does us “evil”.
Paul turned “Alexander”
over to “the Lord”
for retribution rather than taking action himself. Paul wrote in the
book of Romans in chapter twelve and verse nineteen, “Vengeance
is
mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
When we have others commit “evil”
and in Paul's case “much evil”,
we do best to give place to “the
Lord” to
deal with them, and when He takes action, none can stand against Him.
May the Lord Jesus help us to know those who consecrate “much
evil”
against us, and may we be as Paul and turn them over to Him for
“reward”.
Next
time Paul gives Timothy more warnings about Alexander, 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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