²⁰ Among them [who have shipwrecked their faith] are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

-I Timothy 1:20, NIV

Is the Apostle Paul bitter here?

He names names. And he talks about literally handing them to Satan. That doesn’t sound very “forgiving.”

I point this out because passages like these often get skipped in churches teaching on forgiveness. They do not teach the tension such passes create.

Now, I am not saying we need to do this with our ex-spouses necessarily.

This letter was to teach a broader lesson. I am guessing the Apostle Paul is warning against their teaching by naming them. Such a warning would likely be public knowledge as such letters were read aloud in faith communities at the time.

The point I am making here is sometimes it is appropriate to hand over people hell-bent on a lifestyle denying Christ. Their teaching being a blaspheming of Christ’s name.

Just this possibility ought to give people pause when dispensing “forgive and forget” advice to fellow Christians.

Context matters.

And maybe this is a case for public exposure or a handing “over to Satan?”