The Meaning of 1 Timothy 1:20 Explained

1 Timothy 1:20

KJV: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

YLT: of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I did deliver to the Adversary, that they might be instructed not to speak evil.

Darby: of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may be taught by discipline not to blaspheme.

ASV: of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Of whom  is  Hymenaeus  and  Alexander;  whom  I have delivered  unto Satan,  that  they may learn  not  to blaspheme. 

What does 1 Timothy 1:20 Mean?

Study Notes

Hymenaeus and Alexander
It is significant as bearing upon the seriousness of all false teaching, and particularly as related to resurrection, that Paul calls it blasphemy to teach that "the resurrection is past already" 2 Timothy 2:17 ; 2 Timothy 2:18 .

Verse Meaning

Paul cited two examples of casualties of this type with which Timothy was apparently familiar: Hymenaeus (cf. 2 Timothy 2:17) and Alexander (cf. 2 Timothy 4:14). Paul had turned them over to God"s discipline because of their determination to continue living in a manner contrary to the will of God. This discipline would come on them through the agency of Satan so they would repent and stop blaspheming God by their lives. [1]
Handing someone over to Satan may mean that Satan had permission to inflict some illness or disability on the evildoer (cf. Job 2:6). [2] It may picture life outside the fellowship of the church as Satan"s sphere (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5). [3] Thus to deliver these men to Satan could mean that Paul had removed them from the church"s fellowship and placed them in Satan"s realm where they would experience his malice (cf. Acts 5:1-11; Acts 13:11). [3] These men appear to have been leaders, teachers, and even elders in the Ephesian church. It was very rare for Paul to name names when referring to serious sinners. That he did so here indicates that he wanted everyone to know to whom he was referring.
"It is certainly a disciplinary or remedial and not a merely punitive penalty ..." [5]
"We should not misunderstand the nature of this process. It was not simply intended to "cut out a cancer" in order to preserve the rest of the body, as some churches view it today. Neither is it a practice that the church today can afford to ignore, as if it were an aberration belonging to the Inquisition. Taken together, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 and 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 reflect the development of a carefully measured process. Each step was designed to bring the erring individual to the point of admission and true change of mind and behavior. Even if the individual persisted in a stubborn refusal to change (like the two mentioned here), the final step of expulsion from the fellowship back into the hostile world was ultimately intended as a means (desperate and last-ditch though it be) of reclamation. To be handed over to Satan (compare 1 Corinthians 5:5) is to be exposed, without the protection God promises to his people, to the dangers of sin. For some it takes being cast off into the sea to realize the advantages on board ship [6]." [7]
Hymenaeus and Alexander appear to have been genuine believers in view of how Paul described them here and in his other references to them in2Timothy. [8] Perseverance in faith and good works is not inevitable for the Christian. The many New Testament warnings against turning away from the Lord and the truth should make that fact obvious. There are also examples of Old Testament believers who did not remain faithful to the Lord (e.g, Lot, the Israelites in the wilderness, Saul, Song of Solomon , Uzziah, et al.).
"Within the overall context of the PE ... it seems that Paul is saying that the opponents rejected their personal faith and as a result have brought the Christian faith into reproach ..." [9]
The Greek word translated "blaspheme" (blasphemein) means to "by contemptuous speech intentionally come short of the reverence due to God or to sacred things." [10]
This first chapter deals with matters of vital importance to every Christian since we are all ministers of Jesus Christ. These matters are especially relevant to church leaders. In the communication of God"s Word, our primary responsibility ( 2 Timothy 4:2), we should avoid speculation and seek to represent God"s intention accurately ( 1 Timothy 1:3-11). We can face our task optimistically since God has the power to transform even the worst of sinners into the greatest of saints ( 1 Timothy 1:12-17). Nevertheless we should be careful not to go against the warnings of our consciences programmed with God"s Word as we carry out our ministry.

Context Summary

1 Timothy 1:12-20 - An Example Of Christ's Long-Suffering
The Apostle breaks off into expressions of heartfelt thanks to God for the abounding grace which had overcome his former obstinacy and blindness. Only his ignorance could palliate his outrage and insult toward Christ, who was now the beloved object of his entire surrender. He had been a blasphemer against God, Acts 26:9-11; a persecutor towards his fellow-men, Galatians 1:13; injurious, insolent, full of overweening pride. He felt that he had been the chief of sinners, because he had sinned against more knowledge and opportunity than others. It is only when we see God, that we know ourselves and repent in dust and ashes. The Apostle, however, comforted himself in this at least, that through coming time the most hopeless and abandoned sinners would take heart as they considered his case. He was a sample of mercy, a specimen of what Christ could do, an outline sketch to be filled in. Believe on Christ. Faith rests on Christ as foundation. Peter and John use another preposition, toward, or into, i.e., they conceive of union with him, to which all else is preliminary. War the good warfare, that against sin. When men thrust away faith and a good conscience, they stab their pilot and make shipwreck. See 2 Timothy 2:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:14-15. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 1

1  Paul declares Timothy is faithful to the charge which was given him at his going to Macedonia
5  The right use and end of the law
11  Paul's calling to be an apostle;
20  and the disobedience or Hymenaeus and Alexander

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 1:20

Hymenaeus [υμεναιος]
The same heretic reappears in 2 Timothy 2:17. He and Alexander are the chief “wreckers” of faith in Ephesus. [source]
Alexander [Αλεχανδρος]
Probably the same as the one in 2 Timothy 4:14, but not the Jew of that name in Acts 19:33, unless he had become a Christian since then. I delivered unto Satan (παρεδωκα τωι Σαταναι — paredōka tōi Satanāi). See this very idiom (παραδουναι τωι Σαταναι — paradounai tōi Satanāi) in 1 Corinthians 5:5. It is a severe discipline of apostolic authority, apparently exclusion and more than mere abandonment (1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 2:11), though it is an obscure matter. That they might be taught not to blaspheme Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first aorist passive subjunctive of παιδευω — paideuō For this use of this common late verb, see note on 1 Corinthians 11:32; 2 Corinthians 6:9. [source]
I delivered unto Satan [παρεδωκα τωι Σαταναι]
See this very idiom (παραδουναι τωι Σαταναι — paradounai tōi Satanāi) in 1 Corinthians 5:5. It is a severe discipline of apostolic authority, apparently exclusion and more than mere abandonment (1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 2:11), though it is an obscure matter. [source]
That they might be taught not to blaspheme [ινα παιδευτωσιν μη βλασπημειν]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and first aorist passive subjunctive of παιδευω — paideuō For this use of this common late verb, see note on 1 Corinthians 11:32; 2 Corinthians 6:9. [source]
Hymenaeus and Alexander []
Comp. 2 Timothy 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:14. [source]
Have delivered unto Satan [παρέδωκα τῷ Σατανᾷ]
See on 1 Corinthians 5:5. [source]
They may learn [παιδευθῶσι]
Neither A.V. nor Rev. gives the true force of the word, which is, may be taught by punishment or disciplined. See on Ephesians 6:4. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 1:20

Acts 22:3 Instructed [πεπαιδευμενος]
Perfect passive participle again (each participle beginning a clause), this time of παιδευω — paideuō old verb to train a child (παις — pais) as in Acts 7:22 which see. In this sense also in 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 2:12. Then to chastise as in Luke 23:16, Luke 23:22 (which see); 2 Timothy 2:25; Hebrews 12:6. [source]
Acts 20:29 Grievous wolves [λυκοι βαρεις]
αρεις — Bareis is heavy, rapacious, harsh. Jesus had already so described false teachers who would raven the fold (John 10:12). Whether Paul had in mind the Judaizers who had given him so much trouble in Antioch, Jerusalem, Galatia, Corinth or the Gnostics the shadow of whose coming he already foresaw is not perfectly clear. But it will not be many years before Epaphras will come to Rome from Colossae with news of the new peril there (Epistle to the Colossians). In writing to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:20) Paul will warn him against some who have already made shipwreck of their faith. In Revelation 2:2 John will represent Jesus as describing false apostles in Ephesus. Not sparing the flock (μη πειδομενοι του ποιμνιου — mē pheidomenoi tou poimniou). Litotes again as so often in Acts. Sparing the flock was not the fashion of wolves. Jesus sent the seventy as lambs in the midst of wolves (Luke 10:3). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had pictured the false prophets who would come as ravening wolves in sheep‘s clothing (Matthew 7:15). [source]
Acts 22:3 Born [γεγεννημενος]
Perfect passive participle of γενναω — gennaō See above in Acts 21:39 for the claim of Tarsus as his birth-place. He was a Hellenistic Jew, not an Aramaean Jew (cf. Acts 6:1). Brought up (ανατετραμμενος — anatethrammenos). Perfect passive participle again of ανατρεπω — anatrephō to nurse up, to nourish up, common old verb, but in the N.T. only here, Acts 7:20., and MSS. in Luke 4:16. The implication is that Paul was sent to Jerusalem while still young, “from my youth” (Acts 26:4), how young we do not know, possibly thirteen or fourteen years old. He apparently had not seen Jesus in the flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16). At the feet of Gamaliel The rabbis usually sat on a raised seat with the pupils in a circle around either on lower seats or on the ground. Paul was thus nourished in Pharisaic Judaism as interpreted by Gamaliel, one of the lights of Judaism. For remarks on Gamaliel see chapter Acts 5:34. He was one of the seven Rabbis to whom the Jews gave the highest title αββαν — Rabban (our Rabbi). αββι — Rabbi (my teacher) was next, the lowest being αβ — Rab (teacher). “As Aquinas among the schoolmen was called Doctor Angelicus, and Bonaventura Doctor Seraphicus, so Gamaliel was called the Beauty of the Law ” (Conybeare and Howson). Instructed (πεπαιδευμενος — pepaideumenos). Perfect passive participle again (each participle beginning a clause), this time of παιδευω — paideuō old verb to train a child (παις — pais) as in Acts 7:22 which see. In this sense also in 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 2:12. Then to chastise as in Luke 23:16, Luke 23:22 (which see); 2 Timothy 2:25; Hebrews 12:6. According to the strict manner Old word, only here in N.T. Mathematical accuracy, minute exactness as seen in the adjective in Acts 26:5. See also Romans 10:2; Galatians 1:4; Philemon 3:4-7. Of our fathers (πατρωιου — patrōiou). Old adjective from πατερ — pater only here and Acts 24:14 in N.T. Means descending from father to son, especially property and other inherited privileges. Πατρικος — Patrikos (patrician) refers more to personal attributes and affiliations. Being zealous for God Not adjective, but substantive zealot (same word used by James of the thousands of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, Acts 21:20 which see) with objective genitive του τεου — tou theou (for God). See also Acts 21:14; Acts 28:17; 2 Timothy 1:3 where he makes a similar claim. So did Peter (Acts 3:13; Acts 5:30) and Stephen (Acts 7:32). Paul definitely claims, whatever freedom he demanded for Gentile Christians, to be personally “a zealot for God” “even as ye all are this day” In his conciliation he went to the limit and puts himself by the side of the mob in their zeal for the law, mistaken as they were about him. He was generous surely to interpret their fanatical frenzy as zeal for God. But Paul is sincere as he proceeds to show by appeal to his own conduct. [source]
Acts 22:3 At the feet of Gamaliel [προς τους ποδας Γαμαλιηλ]
The rabbis usually sat on a raised seat with the pupils in a circle around either on lower seats or on the ground. Paul was thus nourished in Pharisaic Judaism as interpreted by Gamaliel, one of the lights of Judaism. For remarks on Gamaliel see chapter Acts 5:34. He was one of the seven Rabbis to whom the Jews gave the highest title αββαν — Rabban (our Rabbi). αββι — Rabbi (my teacher) was next, the lowest being αβ — Rab (teacher). “As Aquinas among the schoolmen was called Doctor Angelicus, and Bonaventura Doctor Seraphicus, so Gamaliel was called the Beauty of the Law ” (Conybeare and Howson). Instructed (πεπαιδευμενος — pepaideumenos). Perfect passive participle again (each participle beginning a clause), this time of παιδευω — paideuō old verb to train a child (παις — pais) as in Acts 7:22 which see. In this sense also in 1 Timothy 1:20; Titus 2:12. Then to chastise as in Luke 23:16, Luke 23:22 (which see); 2 Timothy 2:25; Hebrews 12:6. According to the strict manner Old word, only here in N.T. Mathematical accuracy, minute exactness as seen in the adjective in Acts 26:5. See also Romans 10:2; Galatians 1:4; Philemon 3:4-7. Of our fathers (πατρωιου — patrōiou). Old adjective from πατερ — pater only here and Acts 24:14 in N.T. Means descending from father to son, especially property and other inherited privileges. Πατρικος — Patrikos (patrician) refers more to personal attributes and affiliations. Being zealous for God Not adjective, but substantive zealot (same word used by James of the thousands of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, Acts 21:20 which see) with objective genitive του τεου — tou theou (for God). See also Acts 21:14; Acts 28:17; 2 Timothy 1:3 where he makes a similar claim. So did Peter (Acts 3:13; Acts 5:30) and Stephen (Acts 7:32). Paul definitely claims, whatever freedom he demanded for Gentile Christians, to be personally “a zealot for God” “even as ye all are this day” In his conciliation he went to the limit and puts himself by the side of the mob in their zeal for the law, mistaken as they were about him. He was generous surely to interpret their fanatical frenzy as zeal for God. But Paul is sincere as he proceeds to show by appeal to his own conduct. [source]
1 Corinthians 5:5  []
d To deliver - unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh. On this very obscure and much controverted passage it may be observed: 1. That it implies excommunication from the Church. 2. That it implies something more, the nature of which is not clearly known. 3. That casting the offender out of the Church involved casting him back into the heathen world, which Paul habitually conceives as under the power of Satan. 4. That Paul has in view the reformation of the offender: “that the spirit may be saved,” etc. This reformation is to be through affliction, disease, pain, or loss, which also he is wont to conceive as Satan's work. See 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 12:7. Compare Luke 13:16. Hence in delivering him over to these he uses the phrase deliver unto Satan. Compare 1 Timothy 1:20. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan [παραδουναι τον τοιουτον τωι Σαταναι]
We have the same idiom in 1 Timothy 1:20 used of Hymenius and Alexander. In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul speaks of his own physical suffering as a messenger But we are not to infer that expulsion from the local church means the damnation of the offender. The wilful offenders have to be expelled and not regarded as enemies, but admonished as brothers (2 Thessalonians 3:14.). [source]
1 Timothy 3:6 Of the devil [τοῦ διαβόλου]
See on Matthew 4:1, and see on Satan, 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Paul uses διάβολος only twice, Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:11. Commonly Satan. The use of διάβολος as an adjective is peculiar to the Pastorals (see 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:3), and occurs nowhere else in N.T., and not in lxx. The phrase judgment of the devil probably means the accusing judgment of the devil, and not the judgment passed upon the devil. In Revelation 12:10Satan is called the accuser of the brethren. In 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20, men are given over to Satan for judgment. In 1 Timothy 3:7the genitive διαβόλου isclearly subjective. In this chapter it appears that a Christian can fall into the reproach of the devil (comp. Judges 1:9; 2 Peter 2:11), the snare of the devil (comp. 2 Timothy 2:26), and the judgment of the devil. [source]
1 Timothy 1:3 To tarry [προσμειναι]
First aorist active infinitive of προσμενω — prosmenō old verb, attributed by Luke to Paul in Acts 13:43. That thou mightest charge (ινα παραγγειληις — hina paraggeilēis). Subfinal clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of παραγγελλω — paraggellō old verb, to transmit a message along (παρα — para) from one to another. See 2 Thessalonians 3:4, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Lock considers this idiom here an elliptical imperative like Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 5:33. Certain men Dative case. Expressly vague (no names as in 1 Timothy 1:20), though Paul doubtless has certain persons in Ephesus in mind. Not to teach a different doctrine (μη ετεροδιδασκαλειν — mē heterodidaskalein). Earliest known use of this compound like κακοδιδασκαλειν — kakodidaskalein of Clement of Rome. Only other N.T. example in 1 Timothy 6:3. Eusebius has ετεροδιδασκαλος — heterodidaskalos Same idea in Galatians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Romans 16:17. Perhaps coined by Paul. [source]
1 Timothy 1:3 Certain men [τισιν]
Dative case. Expressly vague (no names as in 1 Timothy 1:20), though Paul doubtless has certain persons in Ephesus in mind. Not to teach a different doctrine (μη ετεροδιδασκαλειν — mē heterodidaskalein). Earliest known use of this compound like κακοδιδασκαλειν — kakodidaskalein of Clement of Rome. Only other N.T. example in 1 Timothy 6:3. Eusebius has ετεροδιδασκαλος — heterodidaskalos Same idea in Galatians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Romans 16:17. Perhaps coined by Paul. [source]
2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith []
Comp. 1 Timothy 1:20, and Acts 19:33. The same person is probably meant in all three cases. [source]
2 Timothy 2:25 Instructing [παιδεύοντα]
See on 1 Timothy 1:20. Better, correcting. [source]
2 Timothy 2:17 As doth gangrene [ως γαγγραινα]
Late word (medical writers and Plutarch), only here in N.T. From γραω — graō or γραινω — grainō to gnaw, to eat, an eating, spreading disease. Hymenaeus is probably the one mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20. Nothing is known of Philetus. [source]
2 Timothy 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith [Αλεχανδρος ο χαλκευς]
Old word, only here in N.T., for metal-worker (copper, iron, gold, etc.). Possibly the one in 1 Timothy 1:20, but not the one in Acts 19:33. unless he afterwards became a Christian. [source]
Titus 2:11 Instructing [παιδευουσα]
See note on 1 Timothy 1:20. [source]
Titus 2:12 Teaching [παιδεύουσα]
Better, instructing or training. The saving economy of God is educative. Comp. Hebrews 12:4-11, and see on 1 Timothy 1:20. [source]
Titus 2:11 Bringing salvation [σωτηριος]
Old adjective from σωτηρ — sōtēr (Saviour), here alone in N.T. except το σωτηριον — to sōtērion (salvation, “the saving act”) in Luke 2:30; Luke 3:6; Ephesians 6:17. Instructing (παιδευουσα — paideuousa). See note on 1 Timothy 1:20. Ungodliness See note on Romans 1:18. Worldly lusts (τας κοσμικας επιτυμιας — tas kosmikas epithumias). Aristotle and Plutarch use κοσμικος — kosmikos (from κοσμος — kosmos) about the universe as in Hebrews 9:1 about the earthly. Here it has alone in N.T. the sense of evil “in this present age” as with κοσμος — kosmos in 1 John 2:16. The three adverbs set off the opposite (soberly σωπρονως — sōphronōs righteously δικαιως — dikaiōs godly ευσεβως — eusebōs). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 1:20 mean?

among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander whom I have handed over - to Satan that they may be disciplined not to blaspheme
ὧν ἐστιν Ὑμέναιος καὶ Ἀλέξανδρος οὓς παρέδωκα τῷ Σατανᾷ ἵνα παιδευθῶσιν μὴ βλασφημεῖν

ὧν  among  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
Ὑμέναιος  Hymenaeus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ὑμέναιος  
Sense: a heretic, one of the opponents of the apostle Paul.
Ἀλέξανδρος  Alexander 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἀλέξανδρος  
Sense: son of Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus’s cross, Mk 5:2.
οὓς  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
παρέδωκα  I  have  handed  over 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: παραδίδωμι  
Sense: to give into the hands (of another).
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Σατανᾷ  to  Satan 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Σατανᾶς  
Sense: adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
παιδευθῶσιν  they  may  be  disciplined 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: παιδεύω  
Sense: to train children.
βλασφημεῖν  to  blaspheme 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: βλασφημέω 
Sense: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme.