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Observe here, 1. The undaunted courage of St. Paul in the cause of Christ: he resolves to adventure his life, by going into the theatre, there to make an apology for himself and his companions, and in defence of the Christian religion. He did not account his life dear unto him, but was willing not only to be bound, but to die for the name of Jesus.
Observe, 2. How the divine Providence is to be admired, and awfully adored, in directing to ways and means for the Apostle's preservation in this time of imminent danger. God now made use of the advice, not only of the apostle's fast friends or by foes; for he can make enemies become benefactors at his pleasure, and command deliverance for his people, sometimes by opposite and contrary means.
Lord! who would not trust thee in a time of imminent or impending danger, who hast all created nature at thy back, the hearts of all in thy hands, the tongues and hands of the most unruly and outrageous in thy power; and wilt deliver thine in six troubles, and in seven, and there shall no evil touch them! Thou canst and wilt deliver as often as thy children need deliverance, and save them from evil, even when they are in the midst of trouble!
Observe, 3. How the rabble at Ephesus treated Alexander being in the theatre, (the place where they judged offenders, and cast them to the wild beasts:) they would not suffer him to make any defence for himself, or the people of the Jews. This Alexander is supposed by many to be that Alexander, who St. Paul afterwards told Timothy did him much evil: if so, we find here he was first a proselyte, then a professor, next a confessor, almost a martyr; yet, after all, an apostate; making shipwreck of the faith, for which he was excommunicated by the apostle, Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan. 1Ti_1:19-20
This excommunication of the apostle probably was the provocation that occasioned him to do so much mischief to the apostle, of which he complains, Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; of whom be thou ware also. 2Ti_4:14
Learn thence, 1. That it was possible for a glorious professor to turn a furious persecutor. This Alexander did not only withstand the apostle's person, but his doctrine also; for which being excommunicated, he sought revenge.
Learn, 2. That excommunication not only angers but enrages wicked and impenitent men; so that, instead of being reformed, they seek revenge: yet must the censures of the church be executed and inflicted without either fear or favour.