2 Timothy 4:15

Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Of whom {G3739} be {G5442} thou {G4771} ware {G5442} also {G2532}; for {G1063} he hath {G436} greatly {G3029} withstood {G436} our {G2251} words {G3056}.

and you should guard against him, because he bitterly opposed everything we said.

You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.

of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words.

This verse, 2 Timothy 4:15, serves as a crucial warning from the Apostle Paul to his young protégé, Timothy, regarding a specific individual who posed a significant threat to the gospel message and Christian ministry.

Context

In his final letter, penned from a Roman prison, Paul is giving Timothy urgent and practical instructions for ministry, knowing his own time is short. The verse immediately preceding (2 Timothy 4:14) identifies the person in question as Alexander the coppersmith. While his exact identity and previous encounters with Paul are debated (some scholars suggest he might be the Alexander mentioned in Acts 19:33 during the Ephesian riot, or one of those delivered to Satan in 1 Timothy 1:20), it is clear that this Alexander was an active and hostile opponent of Paul's apostolic ministry and the truth he proclaimed. Paul's warning is not merely personal but a protective measure for Timothy and the church, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against those who undermine the Christian faith.

Key Themes

  • Discernment and Caution: Paul explicitly instructs Timothy to "be thou ware," emphasizing the necessity of spiritual discernment in ministry and daily life. Believers are called to recognize and guard against individuals who actively oppose or corrupt sound doctrine and the work of God.
  • Opposition to the Gospel: The phrase "he hath greatly withstood our words" reveals that Alexander's opposition was not passive disagreement but an active, hostile resistance to the preaching of the gospel and Paul's teachings. This highlights the reality that the spread of divine truth often faces significant human opposition, sometimes from those who were once associated with the faith.
  • Protection of the Flock: Paul's warning is a pastoral act, designed to protect Timothy and the congregations he oversaw from harmful influences. It underscores a spiritual leader's responsibility to identify and warn against threats to the spiritual well-being of believers, ensuring the purity of the message and the safety of the church.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "greatly withstood" translates the Greek verb antedeixato (ἀντεδείξατο), which means "to show oneself opposite to," "to oppose," or "to resist." The prefix anti- denotes opposition, and the verb itself suggests an active, demonstrated antagonism rather than mere disagreement. This was not a minor dispute but a significant, perhaps public, confrontation against Paul's message, indicating Alexander's deliberate efforts to counter or undermine Paul's preaching.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless wisdom for Christians today. Just as Paul warned Timothy, believers must remain discerning and cautious about individuals who actively oppose or seek to undermine biblical truth. This applies whether the opposition comes from outside the church or, more subtly, from within, through false teachings or disruptive behavior. It calls for spiritual maturity to test all things and to guard the integrity of the gospel. While we are called to love all people, we are also instructed to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16) when dealing with those who actively work against God's truth. The warning here is a call to protect oneself and others from spiritual harm and to stand firm in the faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • Philippians 3:2

    Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

  • Matthew 10:17

    But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

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