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Why would Paul hand people over to Satan?


…holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:19-20
            In Timothy’s church, apparently two individuals continued to push blasphemies (and rejecting truth) so Paul saw it fit to kick them out of the church to protect the others.  By doing so, he cut off Hymenaeus and Alexander from the protection and love the church offered others.  No longer could they hear the truth until they decided they were wrong and repented.
            Putting someone outside the fellowship of the church makes them vulnerable to satanic attacks and pushes them further from God for the purpose of getting them to turn their lives around and return to God.  This is called “tough love,” hurting someone for loving reasons.
            Leadership has to do this to people so they can come home to God.  It’s hard and not easily pursued, but necessary to protect those they could influence and for the sake of the blasphemers’ souls.