1 Timothy 1:20 KJV
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
I notice three things:
Paul named names
He was not afraid to call a person out by name. He did not do this every time, but he did it when it was appropriate.
Paul brought severe judgment
To devil unto Satan would be thought a deplorable and over the top sort of act today. Paul didn't think so. We may see less spiritual growth today that we ought because we are simply too kind.
Paul's goal was good
As severe as this might have seemed, Paul was not mean spirited. He longed to see these men
- Repent
- To grow past their sin
- To move on in a spiritual life
We hear nothing as to the results of this action but we do have the results of a similar action in 1 Corinthians 5. In that case there was repentance and restoration.
We can hope the same happened here.
We can pray similar action would bring similar results today.
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