1:20 Hymenaeus and Alexander. Singling out these two individuals raises the question whether they were leaders in the church. Hymenaeus is mentioned again in 2 Tim. 2:17, 18 as one who has “swerved from the truth.” It is unclear whether the name “Alexander” here and in Acts 19:33, 34 and 2 Tim. 4:14, 15 all refer to the same person.

I have handed over to Satan. This is probably a reference to putting these two individuals outside the fellowship of the church and, hence, back into the world—the domain of Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2). Paul uses a similar expression in 1 Cor. 5:5 (cf. Matt. 18:17).

may learn not to blaspheme. The purpose of this excommunication is disciplinary—that the two would recognize their errors and repent (2 Tim. 2:25, 26; Titus 3:10).