2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2 Timothy 4:14 in other translations
| BSB | Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. |
|---|---|
| WEB | Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. |
| ASV | Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: |
| YLT | Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; may the Lord repay to him according to his works, |
| DARBY | Alexander the smith did many evil things against me. The Lord will render to him according to his works. |
| BBE | Alexander the copper-worker did me much wrong: the Lord will give him the reward of his works: |
| Webster | Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: |
What does 2 Timothy 4:14 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Did me much evil. In what way this was done, is not mentioned. If this is the same person who is referred to in 1Timm 1:20, it is probable that it was not evil to Paul personally, so much as embarrassment to the cause of religion which he advocated. Comp. 2Ti 2:17,18.
The Lord reward him according to his works. Comp. 1Timm 1:20. This need not be regarded as an expression of private feeling; still less should it be understood as expressing a desire of revenge. It is the language of one who wished that God would treat him exactly as he ought to be treated, and might be in accordance with the highest benevolence of any heart. It is the aim of every just government that every one should be treated exactly as he deserves; and every good citizen should desire and pray that exact justice may be done to all. It is the business of a police officer to ferret out the guilty, to bring them to trial, to secure a just sentence; and any police officer might pray, with the utmost propriety, that God would assist him in his endeavours, and enable him to perform his duty. This might be done with no malevolent feeling toward any human being, but with the purest love of country, and the most earnest desire for the welfare of all. If such a police officer, or if a judge, or a juryman, were heard thus to pray, who would dare to accuse him of having a vindictive spirit, or a malevolent heart? And why should Paul be so charged, when his prayer amounts to no more than this? For it remains yet to be proved, that he refers to any private wrong which Alexander had done him, or that he was actuated by any other desire than that the sacred interests of truth should be guarded, and equal justice done to all. Why is it wrong to desire or to pray that universal justice may be done, and that every man may be treated as, under all the circumstances of the case, he ought to be treated? On the subject of the "Imprecations in the Scriptures," the reader may consult an article in the Bibliotheca Sacra, vol. 1, pp. 97-- 110. It should be added, here, that some manuscripts, instead of αποδωη, "may the Lord reward," read it in the future-- αποδωσει, "will reward." See Wetstein. The future is also found in the Vulgate, Coptic, and in Augustine, Theodoret, and Chrysostom. Augustine says, (on the Sermon on the Mount,) "He does not say, may he reward, (reddat;) but, he will reward, (redder,) which is a verb of prophecy, not of imprecation." The authority, however, is not sufficient to justify a change in the present reading. These variations have, do doubtless, arisen from a belief, that the common reading expresses a sentiment inconsistent with the true spirit of a Christian, and a desire to find a better. But there is no reason for desiring a change in the text.
(b) "Lord reward him" Ps 28:4
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:14-18
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
2 Timothy 4:14 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 2 Timothy 4:14
- 1 Timothy 1:20
Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
- Psalms 28:4
Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
- 1 Samuel 24:12
The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
- Acts 19:33-34
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
- Jeremiah 18:19-23
Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them. Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle. Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet. …
- Psalms 62:12
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
- Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
- Jeremiah 15:15
O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
- 2 Samuel 3:39
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
- Psalms 109:5-20
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office. …
- Revelation 18:6
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 2 Timothy 4:13
The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
- 2 Timothy 4:14
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
- 2 Timothy 4:15
Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2 Timothy 4:14 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Alejandro el calderero me ha causado muchos males: el Señor le pague conforme á sus hechos. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Alexandre, l’ouvrier en cuivre, a montré envers moi beaucoup de méchanceté; le Seigneur lui rendra selon ses œuvres. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Alexander, der Schmied, hat mir viel Böses erzeigt; der Herr wird ihm vergelten nach seinen Werken. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Alexander ærarius multa mala mihi ostendit: reddet illi Dominus secundum opera ejus: |