Greek word · G480

ἀντίκειμαι

antikeimai

be an opponent

Literally 'to lie opposite'. Used of people, it means to be opposed or hostile, to be an adversary. As a participle with 'the' it works as a noun: 'the opponents'.

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀντί-κειμαι

[in LXX for אָיַב, צוּר, שָׂטַן, etc. ;]

1. to lie opposite to.

2. to oppose, withstand, resist: with dative, Luke 13:17 21:15, Galatians 5:17, 1 Timothy 1:10; as participial subst. (ὁ) ἀντικείμενος, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Philippians 1:28, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Timothy 5:14 (Cremer, 746).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Philippians 1:28

Range of meaning

Literally 'to lie opposite'. Used of people, it means to be opposed or hostile, to be an adversary. As a participle with 'the' it works as a noun: 'the opponents'.

Against the English

'Adversaries' (KJV, WEB) and 'those who oppose you' (BSB) are both accurate. Translations that add 'you' are filling in what the context implies.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul uses it of human opponents in 1 Cor 16:9 ('many adversaries') and of the 'man of lawlessness' in 2 Thess 2:4. In the Septuagint it is used for enemies, for example Exod 23:22 and Isa 66:6.

From the study of 1 Timothy 5:14

Range of meaning

To lie opposite, to be set against. As a participle used as a noun, "the opponent, adversary." It is used of human opponents and also of supernatural ones.

Against the English

BSB/ESV/KJV/WEB "adversary" and NIV/NASB "the enemy" lean toward a personal foe. To many readers "the adversary" sounds like a title for the devil. YLT "the opposer" is neutral.

Used elsewhere in the period

Human opponents: Luke 13:17; 21:15; 1 Cor 16:9 ("many adversaries"); Phil 1:28. The eschatological foe: 2 Thess 2:4 ("the one who opposes"). LXX Zech 3:1 describes the devil standing "to oppose" (τοῦ ἀντικεῖσθαι) the high priest, which echoes the Hebrew satan, "accuser/adversary."

From the study of 1 Corinthians 16:9

Range of meaning

Literally 'to lie opposite'. In practice, 'to oppose, be hostile to'. The participle ὁ ἀντικείμενος means 'the opponent, adversary' (BDAG s.v. ἀντίκειμαι).

Against the English

'Adversaries' (KJV, WEB, ESV, NASB) and 'many oppose me' (BSB) are both accurate. The participle stresses opposition that is happening now and actively.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek Old Testament: Exod 23:22 ('I will oppose those who oppose you'); Zech 3:1, of the accuser standing 'to oppose' the high priest. New Testament: Luke 13:17; 21:15; Phil 1:28; 2 Thess 2:4 (the coming 'opposer'); 1 Tim 5:14.

Where it appears

Luke · 2

  1. Luke 13:17 ἀντικείμενοι opposed

    When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing.

  2. Luke 21:15 ἀντικείμενοι opposing

    For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

    Here: Literally 'lying opposite'. The present tense marks people whose standing posture is opposition: the prosecutors, synagogue authorities and officials of verse 12. Luke used the same phrase for Jesus' own opponents in 13:17.

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:9 ἀντικείμενοι are opposing

    because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

    Here: A present participle used as a noun, 'those who are opposing', describing active, ongoing hostility. It is the standard Greek word for adversaries, and the Greek Old Testament uses it of the accuser in Zechariah 3:1.

Galatians · 1

  1. Galatians 5:17 ἀντίκειται, are opposed

    For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

    Here: Literally 'lie set against'. The word is used of enemies and adversaries. In Greek a neuter plural subject ('these') takes a singular verb, so the form is normal. The present tense means a standing state of hostility.

Philippians · 1

  1. Philippians 1:28 ἀντικειμένων· opposing [you];

    without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.

    Here: Literally 'those lying (set) against'. These are active opponents of the Philippian believers, most likely their non-Christian neighbours and local authorities in the Roman colony (see setting). The present tense shows the opposition is still going on.

2 Thessalonians · 1

  1. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ἀντικείμενος is opposing

    He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

    Here: Literally "lying against". With the article it works almost as a title: "the Opponent". It echoes the meaning of the Hebrew name Satan ("adversary"), and verse 9 does tie this figure to Satan's working.

1 Timothy · 2

  1. 1 Timothy 1:10 ἀντίκειται is opposed

    for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

    Here: Literally 'lies against'. The present tense describes a standing opposition: these practices sit on the opposite side from healthy teaching.

  2. 1 Timothy 5:14 ἀντικειμένῳ opposing

    So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

    Here: "The opposer, the adversary." It could mean any hostile outsider looking for grounds to attack the church, or the devil himself. Verse 15 mentions Satan, which keeps both readings open.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.