Awake & Alive: 1 Timothy Reading Plan
Day 5
18This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:18-20
At first glance, this text may seem like Paul has strayed from the call to love emphasized earlier in 1 Timothy 1:4. Viewed through the lens of Western Post-Modernity church structure and discipline, this passage can be initially harsh. However, there are key factors to consider before reaching a conclusion.
This is a personal plea to a beloved friend, urging him to wholeheartedly guard an important teaching. Paul again uses militaristic language to describe this task. Simply arriving at or maintaining sound doctrine isn’t enough. The world, false teachers, and our own sinful nature constantly tempt us to drift away from a complete understanding and commitment to the Gospel message. We must actively pursue sound doctrine while simultaneously rejecting anything that distorts or adds to the message.
Paul cites Hymenaeus and Alexander as examples of those who believed and taught false doctrine. As a result, their faith was “shipwrecked” and they were excommunicated from their churches. This warning serves as a reminder of the importance of belonging to a church community. This community often provides protection from spiritual attacks. The battle for faith and a good conscience is a team effort; fighting alone opens one up to various temptations.
It’s also significant that the motive behind excommunication here was “That they may learn not to blaspheme.” This purpose echoes the goal mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:4. Even in what appears to be a harsh act of expulsion, the underlying reason is to allow these individuals to learn from their errors and experience God’s mercy. True discipline is motivated by love. It doesn’t end with punishment but with the hope of restoration for those who have been corrected.