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Alexander the coppersmith
A metalworker who did Paul great harm and strongly opposed his message.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1
Origin & birthplace
Name & titles
ScholarlyHe is singled out by the trade-epithet "the coppersmith" (Greek chalkeus, a worker in copper or bronze), a distinguishing tag scholars note was used precisely because "Alexander" was such a common name in the period. Whether he is the same Alexander named at Ephesus (Acts 19:33) or the one "handed over to Satan" (1 Tim 1:20) is a long-standing but unresolved scholarly question.
Greek onomastics (chalkeus, "coppersmith/metalworker"); identity debate in Pastoral Epistles commentary.
Where in scripture
2 TimothyPlaces in their life
Photo: Turkish Central Bank — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)