1 Timothy 1:18-20
18 “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.”
Verse 18: Paul charges Timothy, his spiritual child, with a specific responsibility. He reminds Timothy of the prophecies that were spoken over him, indicating that Timothy has been uniquely equipped for the task at hand. In the New Covenant, we understand that believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their callings and engage in the good warfare of faith. We can trust that God has equipped us with everything we need to walk in obedience and fulfill our purpose.
Verse 19: Paul emphasizes the importance of holding onto faith and maintaining a good conscience. In the New Covenant, our faith is not based on our own efforts or performance, but on the finished work of Christ. We are called to trust in him and His faithfulness. A good conscience is a result of understanding our complete forgiveness and righteousness in Christ. It is important to guard against anything that would lead us away from this truth, as some have shipwrecked their faith by rejecting it.
Verse 20: Paul mentions two individuals, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who had strayed from the truth and were engaging in blasphemy. In the New Covenant, we understand that discipline is an act of love and restoration. By handing them over to Satan, Paul is referring to removing them from the protection and fellowship of the church, allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions in the hope that they would come to repentance and restoration. This serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences, and discipline can be a means of correction and restoration in the body of Christ.
