of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
Hymenaeus and Alexander appear to have been genuine believers in view of how Paul described them here and in his other references to them in 2 Timothy. [Note: See Knight, p. 110; and Joseph C. Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings, pp. 333-36.] Perseverance in faith and good works is not inevitable for the Christian. The many New Testament warnings against turning away from the Lord and the truth should make that fact obvious. There are also examples of Old Testament believers who did not remain faithful to the Lord (e.g., Lot, the Israelites in the wilderness, Saul, Solomon, Uzziah, et al.).