When Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:20 about handing over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan, his intent is to spiritually discipline these individuals for their blasphemy and false teaching. By doing so, Paul aims to correct them, even at the cost of their temporary suffering, with the hope that they would eventually be restored to the faith. The act of “handing over to Satan” was a form of spiritual exile, meant to sever their connection to the community of believers so that they might experience the consequences of their error, leading to repentance and ultimately salvation. However, this drastic measure is aimed at individuals within a specific church community.
But what if the situation expands to 100 million heretics or false teachers? In this case, Paul’s approach would have to shift, not because his goal changes, but because the scale of the problem becomes far more complex. The local, individual discipline that Paul applied to Hymenaeus and Alexander would be much harder to carry out on such a vast scale. Nevertheless, the core principle of confronting error remains unchanged. Paul’s broader strategy in the face of heresy would still involve protecting the faithful through doctrinal clarity, church discipline, and spiritual warfare.
For the Church, the first step in addressing widespread heresy would be to ensure that sound doctrine is upheld. Paul continually emphasized the importance of teaching the truth of the gospel, and in the face of widespread heresy, this would be the Church’s primary tool—proclaiming and protecting the true message of Christ. The Apostle’s letters, such as 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, serve as reminders that the Church must remain vigilant against false teaching, even if that teaching becomes widespread. The need for clear, unwavering doctrine is vital, as it helps the body of believers discern truth from error. In this sense, the Church’s task becomes a global effort to reaffirm and teach the gospel clearly and consistently.
Secondly, church discipline becomes an important means of addressing heresy, but on a larger scale, this involves more than individual excommunication—it may require denouncing entire movements or schools of thought that propagate heresy. In the early Church, heresies like Gnosticism and Judaizing were seen as direct threats to the gospel, and the Church had to take decisive action to protect the community. While we might not always be able to address 100 million individuals directly, the Church can still expose false teachings and ensure that heresies are properly identified and denounced publicly, just as Paul did in his letters. This is done through corrective teaching, refuting lies, and encouraging the faithful to stand firm in the truth.
Furthermore, as Paul did in his ministry, the Church must also engage in spiritual warfare and intercession for those caught in error. Just as Paul prayed for individuals like the Corinthians, the Church today must pray for the salvation and restoration of those deceived by falsehoods. The act of “handing over to Satan” in a mass context could still involve spiritual intervention through prayer and fasting, calling upon God to work in the hearts of those misled, to convict them of their sin, and to bring them to repentance. This is not merely an administrative task—it is a spiritual battle that requires the Church’s active participation in prayer, seeking God’s intervention on behalf of the lost.
One of the most important aspects of addressing large-scale heresy is the need for evangelism and outreach. If there are 100 million heretics or false teachers, the Church’s response cannot solely be about protecting the faithful; it must also include a renewed effort to evangelize and reach the lost. The message of salvation must be proclaimed to those deceived by falsehoods, calling them to repentance and pointing them to the truth of Christ. Paul’s own ministry was characterized by a tireless commitment to spreading the gospel, even in the face of widespread opposition and heresy. The Church’s responsibility today is no different—spreading the true gospel is essential to combat the influence of false teachings.
In a situation where there are millions of heretics, the larger scale of the problem doesn’t change the fundamental principles of spiritual discipline and evangelistic outreach. Paul’s method of confronting heresy involved doctrinal clarity, spiritual authority, and personal discipline, and these principles remain highly relevant. The Church, though facing a much larger challenge, must maintain faithfulness to the gospel, identify false teachings, and continue to call people to the truth. Even in the face of overwhelming opposition, the Church’s mission remains the same: to restore sinners, protect the faithful, and uphold the true doctrine.
In conclusion, while the challenge of dealing with 100 million heretics is significantly more daunting than handling a few individuals, the core principles outlined by Paul—confronting heresy, maintaining doctrinal purity, engaging in spiritual warfare, and evangelizing the lost—remain essential. The scale of the problem may change, but the response is still one of faithfulness to the gospel, spiritual action, and hope for repentance and restoration. It’s a reminder that even in the face of widespread error, the Church’s mission of truth-telling, discipline, and evangelism is crucial in restoring those led astray by falsehood.
ChatGPT, with Stephen D Green, April 2025
