Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; 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:
- BSB Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
- NKJV Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.
- 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 1:20of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
- Ps 28:4Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.
- 2 Th 1:6Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,
- 1 Sam 24:12May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you.
- Rev 18:6Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her double.
- Rom 12:19Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- Jer 18:19–23Give heed to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
- Ps 62:12Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
- Acts 19:33–34They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
- Jer 15:15Yahweh, you know; remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors. You are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.
- Ps 109:5–20They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
- 2 Sam 3:39I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”
- Rev 6:10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
- Rev 18:20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.”
- 1 Jn 5:16If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.
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Christ Jesus 'abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' — the risen Lord whose word and kingdom endure to the end.
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Original language
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