Bad Guys of the Bible: Alexander the Coppersmith, The One Who Did Great Harm

by David Chadwick

Alexander the Coppersmith is our next bad guy. Let’s look at his story in 2 Timothy 4:14-18 and see why he’s another one of my bad guys of the Bible.

We don’t know much about Alexander except his name and profession. But it could be that at one time he co-labored with Paul in planting churches and teaching the gospel. In the least, he and Paul knew each other on some level.

Something went wrong because Paul says that he did him great harm (2 Timothy 4:14). There was clearly some evil plot that really hurt Paul. Not that Paul doesn’t just say harm, but GREAT harm. Some other translations refer to it as “much evil.”

Not only did Alexander participate in something evil, but he also must not have accepted any correction because Paul warns other people to beware of him. Did he slander Paul? Do you think he tried to overtake his authority much like Absalom did with David? (2 Samuel 13-19)

Again, we don’t know, but it is very clear that Alexander was a bad guy.

As followers of Jesus, we must flee from behaviors that produce bad fruit. It sounds like Alexander was a man who was full of pride with an intent to harm. He must have also had an intimidating personality that swept others into his attack because Paul says everyone around him deserted him. They must have been swayed and influenced either by Alexander’s charismatic personality or by his intimidation. Either way, he was a bad guy with bad qualities.

In spite of Alexander’s behavior, Paul did not retaliate. He did not take vengeance into his own hands. He simply stood in faith, saying that the Lord stood by him, strengthened him, and rescued him (2 Timothy 4:17-18). He left it up to the Lord for how to deal with Alexander. Paul knew God was good and just and that one day, he would enact justice on his behalf! This is true surrender!

Here’s an unfortunate truth: people will hurt you. They will turn their backs on you. They will lie to you. They will seek to do great harm to you and your household. Even the great apostle Paul knew this truth all too well. He experienced betrayal and wounds from people like Demas and Alexander. But he continued to leave vengeance to the One who does the best job executing vengeance and justice.

It is the only way to treat those who deeply hurt you.