There are two instances of excommunication in Scripture, (1) that of the Corinthian for immorality (1 Corinthians 5), (2) of Hymenæus and Alexander for heresy. We learn from 2 Timothy 2:19 that Philetus was one of Hymenæus' associates, but whether Timothy followed St. Paul's example and excommunicated him, we do not know. It is probable that the Alexander here mentioned is the same as 'Alexander the coppersmith' of 2 Timothy 4:14, who may have 'done' St. Paul 'much evil' at Rome during his trial, in consequence of the excommunication pronounced upon him by the Apostle at Ephesus. He may also have been the Alexander of Acts 19:33; Delivered unto Satan] because relegated from the Church to the world, from the kingdom of God on earth to the empire of Satan (Acts 26:18).

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