Alexander the coppersmith is only mentioned here in the New Testament. The word coppersmith is used to describe people who work not only with copper but with metals in general, hence “metalworker” (Good News Translation) is a more appropriate translation. In 1 Tim 1.20 Paul names Alexander as one of those whose faith has been wrecked; it is possible that the two Alexanders are the same person, although there is no way of being sure. The abruptness with which Alexander is introduced is rather strange; could it be, as suggested by some scholars, that there is somehow an association between him and the coat and books mentioned in the previous verse? Nor can we be certain as to Alexander’s location; he could be in Ephesus where presumably Timothy was, but he could also be in Rome, in which case Paul’s statement “Beware of him yourself” in the next verse is a forewarning to Timothy when he gets to Rome. A further problem is Paul’s statement that Alexander did him great harm (literally “much evil”; see 1 Tim 6.10). One possibility suggested is that the phrase did me great harm can be interpreted to mean that Alexander provided the authorities information that was used against Paul and led to his arrest. Timothy is therefore being warned that Alexander might do the same thing to him. This suggestion is quite attractive but at best speculative. In the end we have to be honest and admit that we know very little about this Alexander and his relationship to Paul. Other ways to express this clause are “caused me all sorts of trouble” or “hurt me in many ways.”

Because of what Alexander has done, the Lord will pay him back. Lord once again is ambiguous, referring either to God or more likely to Jesus Christ. For requite (New Revised Standard Version “pay back”) see “make some return” in 1 Tim 5.4; the same Greek verb is translated “award” in verse 8 in this chapter. The verb can be taken in either a positive or a negative sense. In the present context, however, the accent is on the negative and includes the elements of judgment together with the appropriate punishment, and in certain languages the more natural translation will be “the Lord will punish him.” Good News Translation‘s “reward” in many languages will be too positive. For deeds see 1 Tim 2.10; it is translated “task” in 1 Tim 3.1.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .