Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Timothy 1:20

"of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme." — 1 Timothy 1:20 (ASV)

Of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander. Hymeneus is nowhere else mentioned in the New Testament, except in 2 Timothy 2:17, where he is mentioned in connection with Philetus as a very dangerous man. An Alexander is mentioned in Acts 19:33, whom some have supposed to be the same as the one referred to here. It is not certain, however, that the same person is intended. (See the notes on Acts 19:33).

In 2 Timothy 4:14, Alexander the coppersmith is mentioned as one who had done the apostle much evil, and there can be little doubt that he is the same person who is referred to here. One of the doctrines Hymeneus held was that the resurrection was past already (2 Timothy 2:18); but what doctrine Alexander held is unknown. It is not improbable, as he is mentioned here in connection with Hymeneus, that he maintained the same opinion. In addition to that, he appears to have been guilty of some personal injury to the apostle. Both were also guilty of blasphemy.

Whom I have delivered unto Satan. On the meaning of this expression, see the notes on 1 Corinthians 5:5.

That they may learn not to blaspheme. It cannot be supposed that Satan would undertake to teach them not to blaspheme, or that Paul put them under him as an instructor on that subject. The instructions of Satan tend rather to teach his followers to blaspheme, and none in his school fail to be apt scholars. The meaning here is that Paul excommunicated them and, not improbably, brought upon them some physical maladies by giving them over to Satan, so that they might be reformed. (Compare to the notes on 1 Corinthians 5:5).

It is not entirely clear what is meant by blaspheme in this place. (Compare to the notes on 1 Timothy 1:13).

It cannot be supposed that they were open and bold blasphemers, for such could not have maintained a place in the church. Rather, they held doctrines that the apostle regarded as amounting to blasphemy—that is, doctrines that were in fact a reproach to the Divine character.

Many doctrines held by people are, in fact, a reflection on the Divine character and amount to the same thing as blasphemy.

A blasphemer openly expresses views of the Divine character that are a reproach to God; an errorist, however, expresses the same thing in another way: by teaching as true about God that which represents Him in a false light, and to suppose such a teaching true is, in fact, a reproach. The spirit with which this is done in the two cases may be different; the thing itself may be the same. Let us be careful that we hold no views about God that are reproachful to Him and which, though we do not express them in words, may lead us to blaspheme Him in our hearts.

1 Timothy - Chapter 2