2 Timothy 4:14
14 Alexander [Alexandros] the
coppersmith [chalkeus] did [endeiknumi] me [moi] much [polus] evil: [kakos] the Lord [kurios] reward [apodidomi] him [autos] according to [kata] his [autos] works: [ergon] KJV-Interlinear
14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according
to his deeds. NASB
Alexander is not
identified anywhere else in the Bible, and is only mentioned here by Paul as a
coppersmith, and that is likely the key to his opposition to Paul.
In Acts 19:24,
Demetrius was identified as a silversmith, who was a maker of idols, and
therefore since this particular Alexander was in opposition to Paul and since Paul
repeatedly denounced idols and idol worshipping, then it is reasonable that Paul
was viewed as a hindrance of Alexander’s business. Thus the opposition to Paul.
And that principle can
be applied to all aspects of life in which Christianity in some way is viewed
as a hindrance to the agendas of various folks in business or politics or in
general where people simply do not like the Christian faith.
Much evil, implies but
does not specify the nature of the opposition, but is likely to have been
brutal in terms of gossip or accusations, or may even have involved violence of
some type. These things are not spelled
out. Only that the opposition was
intense and did or was attempting to do great harm to Paul.
And so, anyone who
opposes Christianity, or anyone whose livelihood is threatened by Christian
principles, can be expected to bring or attempt to bring harm in many forms,
against Christians.
We see a great deal of
this type of attack in the political arena these days. Most elites or liberals simply hate the
Christian base in this country. But also
in other countries, there are attacks against Christians because of other
religious beliefs.
The world in general
wants to do whatever it wants, and wants to be left alone in its endeavors. But such activities are all evil. And when truth comes along and presents a
clear difference, then the lies of the world, get mad at truth.
Dishonesty does not like
to be called what it is. Criminality does
not like to be called what it is. Self-righteousness
does not like to be called what it is.
Sin and drugs and sexuality, and drunkenness, and on and on, do not like
to be called what they really are – degenerate, dangerous, destructive, evil.
So, as long as there is
evil in this world, there will always be opposition to good.
Man will never be able
to get rid of evil, so long as man rules this world. Only God can and will, get
rid of evil for all of eternity.
Man will never be able
to solve his problems. Only God can
solve them. But you ask, ‘Why has God not solved all of the worlds problems?’
and the answer to that is quite simple.
God has solved them, humanity simply rejects Gods plan and therefore the
problems continue so long as man remains in opposition to God.
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