Alexander the Coppersmith

Biblical Record

The only passage that clearly refers to this figure is 2 Timothy 4:14-15. Near the close of the letter, Paul writes to Timothy:

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words."

The Greek term describing his occupation, chalkeus, is not limited to copper; it refers broadly to any craftsman who works with metal. Among Korean Bible translations, the Korean Revised Version renders it "coppersmith," while the New Korean Revised Version renders it "copper craftsman."

The text conveys three things: he did Paul much harm; he strongly opposed the words, that is, the teaching, of Paul and his companions; and Timothy also needed to be on guard against him. The text does not record what harm he did, where he lived, or what became of him.

Other people with the same name also appear in the Bible. The son of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21) and the Alexander of the high priest's family (Acts 4:6) are different individuals.

Significance Within Scripture

This passage illustrates the isolation Paul experienced at the end of his life. Just before it, he says that Demas had forsaken him (2 Timothy 4:10), and just after it, he says that no one stood with him at his first defense (2 Timothy 4:16). Alexander appears as an example of an opponent who directly hindered Paul's ministry. The phrase "reward him according to his works" echoes the Old Testament expression that God renders to every man according to his work (Psalm 62:12 and elsewhere).

Interpretations and Points of Debate

• Is he the same as other men named Alexander? 1 Timothy 1:20 mentions an Alexander whom Paul, together with Hymenaeus, "delivered unto Satan." Acts 19:33 mentions an Alexander whom the Jews put forward during the riot at Ephesus. Because Timothy was closely associated with Ephesus and the riot in Acts 19 arose among metalworkers, some interpreters identify these figures as the same person. However, Alexander was a common name at the time, and many hold that they were different people. Scripture does not settle the question.
• The nature of the "much evil": It is often added that he denounced Paul to the authorities, leading to his arrest or trial. This is conjecture not found in the text.
• A curse or an entrusting? Some manuscripts read "may the Lord reward" (optative) rather than "the Lord will reward" (future). Traditional translations such as the King James Version follow these manuscripts. Many interpreters read the verse as expressing an attitude of leaving judgment to God rather than taking personal vengeance (Romans 12:19). Some also see a contrast with Paul's wish, immediately afterward, that the desertion of those who forsook him "may not be laid to their charge."
• The question of authorship: Scholars debate whether Paul himself wrote the Pastoral Epistles, including 2 Timothy. Churches in Korea generally read it as Paul's letter.