In reading through Paul’s first letter to Timothy he mentions two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who “made shipwreck of their faith.” (1 Timothy 1:19-20) It is a powerful metaphor that provokes images of storm surf and threatening rocks. I had always considered this referred to apostasy, describing a person who had walked away from their faith and who would likely be forever doomed.

However, upon further reflection, I believe that being shipwrecked in one’s faith is not necessarily a spiritual death sentence. In context it appears to be a corrective measure to bring about restoration. Paul states that he had handed these two men over to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme. Similarly, in First Corinthians Paul instructs the church to deliver an immoral member over to Satan for “the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 5:5)

According to Paul, the cause of this shipwreck is refusing to obey a conscience informed by truth. Such a conscience acts like a rudder to keep the ship of faith away from danger. Violating this moral compass is a recipe for disaster leading to severe chastening. By embracing and promoting false teaching these two men would not only suffer expulsion from the church but would also fall into Satan’s hands to bring about physical destruction.

What that might look like we can only guess. Perhaps it could manifest as sickness, disease, or possibly death. We know that given divine permission Satan is capable of inflicting horrible pain and suffering, as he did to Job. But in the case of Hymenaeus and Alexander the purpose was correction not condemnation. Obviously, shipwreck isn’t always fatal since Paul states that he himself had faced such an ordeal on three separate occasions.

What this stresses to you and me is the importance of maintaining a healthy conscience, informed by the Word of God, and obeying it when applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. It also reminds us that those who are truly converted and who sins against conscience will undergo chastening in some form. (See Hebrews 12:6-11)

This should encourage us not to write off that person who has erred and made shipwreck of their faith. Paul’s words give us hope of recovery and restoration. We should pray for them and speak truth in love to them. However, if a professed believer errs into falsehood, sinning against their conscience, who remains unrepentant, and who experiences no discipline from the Lord, it is possible they may not survive shipwreck.