In 1 Timothy 1:19-20, Paul mentions Hymenaeus and Alexander as two people who had “made shipwreck” of their faith. Let’s take a closer look at who these men were and what it meant that their faith was shipwrecked.
Who Was Hymenaeus?
Hymenaeus was a false teacher who is mentioned twice in the New Testament letters of 1 & 2 Timothy. His name indicates that he was likely Greek.
The first reference to Hymenaeus is in 1 Timothy 1:19-20, where Paul says he had “handed over to Satan” Hymenaeus and Alexander so that they would be taught not to blaspheme. This indicates that Hymenaeus was promoting false doctrine and had already been confronted by church leadership but refused to repent.
The second mention of Hymenaeus is in 2 Timothy 2:17-18, where he is associated with Philetus and described as upsetting the faith of some by teaching that the resurrection had already happened. This was a dangerous gnostic teaching that denied the future physical resurrection.
So from these references, we can surmise that Hymenaeus was a persistent false teacher within the Ephesian church who refused correction and continued to spread unbiblical ideas that harmed the faith of believers.
Who Was Alexander?
The Alexander mentioned alongside Hymenaeus in 1 Timothy 1 is most likely not the same Alexander discussed in 2 Timothy 4:14-15. The Alexander in 2 Timothy was a coppersmith who did Paul “great harm” and opposed his teaching. While the Alexander in 1 Timothy was disciplined by Paul along with Hymenaeus, it gives no indication he was a metalworker.
Since Alexander was a very common name in the Greek world, there are a few different Alexanders mentioned in the New Testament. The Alexander in 1 Timothy was likely also part of the false teaching in Ephesus along with Hymenaeus. But not enough information is given about him to know much else.
What Does It Mean Their Faith Was Shipwrecked?
To say someone has “made shipwreck” of their faith is a metaphor meaning they have come to ruin spiritually. Just as a shipwreck dashes a ship to pieces on the rocks, so too someone can wreck their relationship with God and others by straying from truth and obstinately rejecting correction.
More specifically, this phrase gives us insight into the situation with Hymenaeus and Alexander:
- They professed faith in Christ at some point but their teaching and behavior proved otherwise.
- They departed from the truth and sound doctrine, likely embracing an early form of Gnosticism.
- Their false teaching was harming themselves and others in the Ephesian church.
- They were confronted about this but refused to change direction.
- They had to be removed from the church through discipline.
In nautical terms, false teachers like Hymenaeus and Alexander are like reefs lurking under the water that can tear open the hull of a ship. Paul viewed them as dangerous threats to the church’s safety and wanted to warn others about them.
Although we don’t know if Hymenaeus and Alexander ever repented, this severe language makes it clear that continuing to embrace and spread false teaching is utterly incompatible with genuine faith in Christ. A shipwrecked faith is a demonstrated faithlessness.
Other Examples of Shipwrecked Faith
The image of a shipwrecked or overturned faith is used several times in the New Testament to describe those who swerve from the truth:
- 2 Timothy 2:18 – Hymenaeus and Philetus had wandered from the truth by teaching the resurrection had passed.
- 2 Timothy 2:14 – False teachers like Hymenaeus and Philetus could upset people’s faith through pointless disputes and spread of falsehood.
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 – False prophets bring destructive heresies and cause the way of truth to be blasphemed.
- 1 Timothy 5:12 – Younger widows who want to marry again bring judgment on themselves because they have set aside their previous pledge.
- 1 Timothy 5:15 – Some younger widows have already turned away to follow Satan.
In each case, the person had professed faith at some point but then swerved into falsehood or sinful desires, proving their faith was never genuine. Their lives and teaching ended up leading others away from Christ rather than closer to Him.
How Can We Safeguard Our Faith From Shipwreck?
While no believer has perfect doctrine or sinless actions, Scripture gives many warnings about how we can inadvertently drift into shipwrecked faith. Here are some safeguards to keep our faith on course:
- Anchor yourself to Scripture – God’s word is our compass and anchor for discerning truth from falsehood (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Submit to godly leaders – Humble yourself to be corrected rather than resisting accountability (Hebrews 13:17).
- Beware false teachers – Test all teaching against Scripture and avoid those who contradict it (1 John 4:1).
- Persevere in holiness – Cooperate with the Spirit’s work to put sin to death rather than being entangled by it (Galatians 5:16-17).
- Surround yourself with wise community – Fellow believers can help keep us from drifting when we’re tempted to wander (Proverbs 13:20).
No one intentionally sets out to shipwreck their faith. But by pridefully embracing falsehood, continuing in unrepentant sin, or resisting accountability, we can slowly drift from the course set for us in Christ. Persevering faithfulness to Him is the only sure route to safely reaching the eternal shore.
As Paul exhorted Timothy, “By so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). Our lives impact others, so faithfulness matters.
Key Passages About Hymenaeus and Alexander
Here are some key passages that mention Hymenaeus and Alexander for further study:
- 1 Timothy 1:19-20 – Hymenaeus and Alexander are delivered to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- 2 Timothy 2:17-18 – Hymenaeus and Philetus taught the resurrection has already happened.
- 1 Timothy 5:14-15 – Advice to younger widows to not wander from the faith like Satan.
- 2 Timothy 2:14-19 – False teachers like Hymenaeus can upset people’s faith.
- 2 Timothy 4:14-15 – Warning about Alexander the coppersmith who did great harm to Paul.
Conclusion
Hymenaeus and Alexander serve as sobering examples of those who professed faith in Christ but stubbornly embraced false teaching and were removed from the church when they refused correction. Their shipwrecked faith damaged others and revealed that they had drifted away from God’s truth. We must be vigilant to anchor ourselves to Scripture, submit to godly leaders, test all doctrine, and surround ourselves with wise community to avoid making shipwreck of our faith.
