1 Timothy 1:18-20

Faith and a good conscience are what Paul encourages Timothy to hold fast to. In contrast, there are two people who Paul names who have made shipwreck of the faith. Timothy is to hold fast to faith and a good conscience and not be like Hymenaeus and Alexander. They have rejected the faith and thus made shipwreck of it. As a result, Paul tells Timothy that he has handed them over to Satan. This is an odd phrase but it is also found in 1 Corinthians 5 when Paul talks about the man who has his father's wife. This probably means some form of excommunication. It is not a handing over to physical pain specifically, but rather into the world, which is Satan's realm. The purpose stated here is so that they may learn not to blaspheme. There is some sort of teaching or learning that is supposed to occur. As far as 1 Corinthians 5 is concerned, it is for the destruction of the flesh so that he may be saved. Whatever it means, it may seem cruel at first but the goal is goes beyond the temporal discomfort that may be felt. This is not just to be mean but Hymenaeus and Alexander are meant to learn from it. The man who has his father's wife is cast out so that he may be possibly saved.