Nobody starts the Christian journey with the intention of becoming apostate, or falling away from the faith. However, this happens and as the Bible has made clear, it will become common-place as the time of the coming of the LORD draws even closer (Matthew 24:10; 1 Timothy 4:1). The Bible in 1 Timothy 1:18-20 and 2 Timothy 2:15-19 gives us a brief account of two men who clearly started out as genuine believers but then got side-tracked by the evil one. They were prominent men in the Ephesian Church but had begun to promulgate heretical teachings among the brethren and had drawn others into the error of their ways as a result. The accounts of Hymenaeus and Alexander serve as warning to us all and therefore to safeguard ourselves it is imperative we glean from them.
- No believer is immune to the threat of relapse
From the Scriptures, one can safely deduce that these two men were once devoted Christians, but somehow allowed themselves to slip, become reckless and eventually lose all form of spiritually. The fact that they once were ardent followers of the Master but ended up as heretics is proof enough that the same fate can befall any believer if care is not taken. The Scriptures let us know that the devil is constantly prowling about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), and this same Scripture enjoins us to be sober and vigilant. There would be no need for such admonition if it were not possible for a follower of Jesus Christ to fall prey to the schemes of the enemy. The Apostle Paul further drives the need for Christians to be wary when he councils against a false sense of security thus “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). In 1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV), the Apostle reveals truths regarding his attitude toward the danger of falling away: “but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”. He actively ensured that he put his flesh under check, bringing it into continuous obedience to the Word of God. Despite the reality of the threat of falling away, it is worthy of note that as believers, we do not need to fall away. God is able to keep us. See Jude 24.
- One disobedient Christian has the power to negatively influence other Christians
One main lesson we can glean from Hymenaeus and Alexander is that they were not only heretics, but that they were leaders who had the power to deceive others and in fact did mislead other Christians. As believers, we need to come to understand that we do not live in isolation, but are connected to others, whether we realise it or not. The trajectory our lives take has a profound influence on those around us. If we fail to be on guard and fall prey to the evil one’s schemes, we stand the chance of causing those around us to also fall prey by our promulgation of false doctrines. Hymenaeus and Alexander were judged for their sin because the position they were responsible for destroying the faith of some believers (2 Timothy 2:17-18). We owe it to ourselves and certainly to those around us to be circumspect in our doctrine and manner of living so we are not responsible for the fall others. As 1 John 4:1 commands, we need to test the spirits, in effect all that we hear. Not every nice-sounding teaching is from God. Neither is it the case that a doctrine with God in it is endorsed by Heaven. Note also how stern the measures taken to rid the church of their falsehood were.
- False teaching has a damaging effect on the Church
False teaching is blasphemy in its true sense (1 Timothy 1:20). The reason being that it is an attack on the Divine character and revealed truth of God as captured in the Holy Scriptures. As believers we must be on our guard, senses sharp to detect falsehood and immediately snuff out whatever semblance of it we encounter. The reason? Its spread is likened to that of a cancerous tumour, which spreads fast, eating away healthy tissue and eventually leads to death if not dealt with at the early stages of its emergence (2 Timothy 2:17-18). We cannot afford to court false teaching for the simple reason that it is a destroyer.
- There is a link between what we believe and how we behave
It is important for us to note that there is a certain connectedness between faith and morals. In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 there is a striking sequence. First, the Scripture says that the two men “put away a good conscience”; then, they “shipwrecked their faith”; then finally they lived lives that were careless and undisciplined. It therefore goes without saying that ignoring our consciences as Christians has a negative impact on our faith. Once faith is negatively affected, the next inevitable thing to occur is the breakdown of morals. Faith (in God and His Word) is what keeps us moral. Additionally, the breakdown of faith is the result of a conscience that has been dulled. Hence we are admonished by Paul’s example Acts 24:16.
- The judgement of the Lord comes upon Christians who refuse to heed correction and live carelessly
The judgment that came upon these two men is mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20. They were “handed over to Satan”. What do these words mean?
- They may refer to the Jewish practice of excommunication. According to synagogue practice, if a man was an evildoer he was first rebuked. If that proved ineffective he was banished from the synagogue for thirty days. If that failed to produce repentance he was then put outside for good.
- Paul may have meant that he had handed them over to Satan’s territory – the world, as distinct from the Church.
- Perhaps it means that Paul had the power to call down physical chastisement upon these two, as suggested by 1 Corinthians 5:5. Satan was held to be responsible for human suffering – compare 2 Corinthians 12:7.
Does such a thing happen today? Do Christians ever suffer physically because of sin? – look up 1 Corinthians 11:29-30. Christians in the Church at Corinth had been coming to the Lord’s Table with sin in their lives that had not been judged. Because of this some of them had suffered physical sickness and others had died. This was the Lord’s judgment upon them. It was His chastening – look up Hebrews 12:6-11; and why did He chasten them? – the last phrase in 1 Corinthians 5:5 gives us the answer. Hymenaeus and Alexander were chastened of the Lord “to be taught not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:20), and that their spirits might “be saved on the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Paul hoped and prayed that as a result of the severe discipline imposed upon these two men they might both be brought back into full fellowship with the Lord and with His people.
Let us cultivate a tender conscience, test the Spirits, strive for a deep understanding of God’s Word and a daily walk that in all respects is well-pleasing to Him.
