Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said. [2 Timothy 4.14-15]
The name Alexander is used five times in the Bible, all in the New Testament.
The first mention of someone named Alexander is made by Gospel writer Mark:
A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) [Mark 15.21]
The next four references to someone named Alexander all seem to imply that the person by that name was in opposition to Christianity with the last of those being the Alexander Paul warned Timothy about in the subject passage above.
Interestingly enough, the Alexander Paul warns Timothy about was a coppersmith. Copper was Alexander's business.
Just as Demetrius, a silversmith, in defense of his business of making idols, is on record in Acts 19 of opposing Paul, it is not far-fetched to believe that Alexander's motivation for opposing Paul was of the same nature. In fact, Alexander's motivation for opposing the Cross of Christ may very well serve to foretell ongoing opposition to the Kingdom of God even in our day.
With historical uses ranging from currency to the transmission of electrical current, copper's widespread use stemmed from its malleability. This quality, without doubt, explains why copper, perhaps more so than any other metal, showcases the ingenuity of man from as far back as 3000 BCE. Copper's use was and is still today widespread in the products of man's work and design.
Here we should understand that among the products of man's work and design, idols are found.
Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]
The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18]
While these references from the Psalms specifically mention silver and gold, it should be understood that the more common quality of any idol (as repeatedly defined in the Bible) is not so much the material it is made from, but the fact that it is man-made.
Should we think that Paul's warning to Timothy about Alexander the coppersmith was only a random and unique warning just for Timothy, or should we understand that it is the inspired and timeless warning of the Holy Spirit to the Church today about the ongoing danger of falling subservient to the works of man - to idols?
I need not repeat it, but debt, insurance, medicine and technology are all man-made solutions - the works of man. Just like copper, their applications are common and widespread. In our day, there is hardly a soul not beholding to these industries in some way or another. And, consequently, there is hardly a soul who will not defend these business enterprises.
If, what is said here rings true, then it should be understood that Paul's first imprisonment came as the result of interfering with the business of a fortuneteller (Acts 16.16-24). In Acts 19, the business of idol-makers was seen in jeopardy by Paul's message and an uproar ensued. Ironically a man named Alexander is mentioned in that context.
If debt, insurance, medicine and technology are indeed idols and God's people refuse to bow to (trust) them (i.e. refuse to spend money on them in support of their money-making enterprise), they can be certain that it will cause an uproar and persecution!
Father, I want to be found faithful to present Your message accurately - even if it jeopardizes business and brings persecution. But, even more so, I want to be found entirely removed from the idols of man's making and instead, purely trusting You alone for the benefits You promised. If I can't trust You, then how could I ever trust something made by man? Help me give up my own way (the way of man), take up my cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.
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