Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
Parallel translations
- WEB Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
- KJV Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
- NKJV Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.
- NASB Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
- NLT Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul names Alexander the coppersmith, who did him much harm, and entrusts repayment to the Lord. It models leaving vengeance to God rather than taking it into one's own hands.
Overview
Alexander actively opposed Paul and likely contributed to his suffering, yet Paul does not seek personal retaliation. Instead he commits the matter to God, echoing Scripture's pattern that the Lord repays each according to his deeds (Romans 12:19; Psalm 62:12). This is not vindictiveness but trust in God's just judgment, leaving the outcome to the righteous Judge. The verse shows how the gospel reorders even our response to enemies, refusing private revenge while still naming real wrong.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Tim 1:20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- Ps 28:4Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.
- 2 Th 1:6After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
- 1 Sam 24:12May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.
- Rev 18:6Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
- Rom 12:19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- Jer 18:19–23Attend to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying!
- Ps 62:12and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.
- Acts 19:33–34The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
- Jer 15:15You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor.
- Ps 109:5–20They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
- 2 Sam 3:39And I am weak this day, though anointed as king, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too fierce for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil!”
- Rev 6:10And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood and judge those who dwell upon the earth?”
- Rev 18:20Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.
- 1 Jn 5:16If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
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Original language
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