ἀντίδικος

From the study of 1 Peter 5:8

Range of meaning

First, 'the opposing party in a lawsuit', whether plaintiff or accuser. More broadly, 'an opponent, enemy'.

Against the English

KJV, ESV, NASB, BSB and WEB: 'adversary'. YLT: 'opponent'. NIV and NLT: 'enemy'. 'Adversary' keeps some formality. 'Enemy' loses the courtroom shade entirely.

How it drifted

English 'adversary' is generic. The Greek began as a legal term, and that shade fits a letter whose readers are being falsely accused.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the papyri it is standard for the other side in a court case. In the NT: Matt 5:25 and Luke 12:58 ('make friends with your accuser on the way to court'), Luke 18:3 (the widow: 'give me justice against my adversary'). In the LXX the general sense occurs too, e.g. 1 Sam 2:10 ('the Lord will make his adversary weak'). Behind it stands the Hebrew figure of the satan as prosecutor in God's court (Job 1–2; Zech 3:1), and Rev 12:10 calls him 'the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night'.

From the study of Matthew 5:25

Range of meaning

Literally the one "against (you) in the case" (anti + dikē, lawsuit). It means the opposing party in court, usually the plaintiff or accuser. By extension it can mean any opponent.

Against the English

"Adversary" (KJV, BSB) is accurate but general. "Opponent at law" (NASB) and "accuser" (ESV) keep the courtroom sense. WEB uses both "adversary" and "prosecutor".

How it drifted

Because 1 Peter 5:8 uses the same word for "your adversary the devil", English readers sometimes hear Satan in this verse.

Used elsewhere in the period

In classical Athenian and Hellenistic papyri it is a standard legal term for the other party to a suit. In the Greek Old Testament: Proverbs 18:17 and Jeremiah 50:34 (God as the one who pleads Israel's case against their opponents). In the New Testament: here, Luke 12:58, Luke 18:3 (the widow's opponent) and 1 Peter 5:8.

From the study of Luke 12:58

Range of meaning

Literally 'one against in a lawsuit' (anti, 'against', plus dikē, 'case, justice'). It means the opposing party in court, plaintiff or accuser, and can be stretched to mean an opponent more generally.

Against the English

'Adversary' (BSB, KJV, WEB) is accurate but has become a vague or even spiritual word. 'Opponent' (YLT, NASB) and 'accuser' (ESV, NLT) keep closer to the courtroom, though 'accuser' can sound criminal when the case here looks like a matter of debt.

How it drifted

In English 'adversary' leans toward 'enemy', and 'the Adversary' is a traditional title for Satan, helped along by 1 Peter 5:8, where the devil is called your antidikos. That verse is itself a courtroom picture, an accuser at law.

Used elsewhere in the period

Standard in the Athenian law courts. In the Greek Old Testament it appears at Proverbs 18:17 (the other party who comes and cross-examines) and Isaiah 41:11. Luke uses it again at 18:3, where a widow pleads for justice against her antidikos. Matthew 5:25 uses it in the parallel saying.