Opponent (1727) enantios by Greek Word Studies

Opponent (1727) (enantios [word study] from enanti = over against in turn from en = in + antíos = set against) is used primarily of place and means over against which pertains to being opposite (as in face to face or fronting someone). Metaphorically enantios means contrary, adverse, hostile (marked by malevolence, open opposition and resistance, not being hospitable), being in opposition to or opposed to. Enantios means over against in terms of direction as in Matthew 14:24... the boat was already many stadia (many furlongs [a furlong is one-eighth of a mile] ) away from the land, battered (beaten and tossed) by the waves; for the wind was contrary (against them). Enantios means opposite or over against someone (see Mk 15:39 below). Enantios is used figuratively of attitudes which are hostile, contrary or opposed to (see note 1Thess 2:15) Enantios is used 8 times in the NT... Mt 14:24 - see above Mark 6:48 And seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against (enantios - a them, at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, who was standing right in front (enantios - against) of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Acts 26:9 - see below Acts 27:4 And from there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary (against). Acts 28:17 And it happened that after three days he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they had come together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against (contrary to) our people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 1Thessalonians 2:15 (note) (the Jews) who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, Enantios is used 47 times in the Septuagint (Exod. 14:2, 9" class="scriptRef">9; 17.8" class="scriptRef">8" class="scriptRef">39:18; Num. 2:2; Jos. 8:11; 19:12f; Jdg. 1:10; 9:17; 20:34; 1 Sam. 10:10; 13" class="scriptRef">13.5" class="scriptRef">13:5; 17:2, 8; 26:20; 2 Sam. 10:9f; 15" class="scriptRef">11:15; 18:6, 13; 1 Ki. 20:27; 21:10, 13; 22:35; 2 Ki. 2:7, 15; 3:22; 1 Chr. 19:11, 17; 2 Chr. 18:34; Neh. 3:25, 27ff; Ps. 23:5; 35:3; 38:11; Prov. 14:7; Ezek. 17:15; 18:18; 47:3; Dan. 10:13; Obad. 1:11; Nah. 1:11; Hab. 1:3, 9) Here in Titus Paul is referring an adversary or enemy, indicating those who oppose the gospel and are contrary, antagonistic and adversarial to the one who lives out the gospel. Just as it is God’s will that all men be saved (1Ti 2:4; 2 Pe 3:9), so it was the will of the Jews that no one find salvation in Christ. Paul at one time had embraced this adversarial attitude and tried to prevent the gospel from being preached. In recounting his life story of waging a savage, unremitting campaign against the gospel, Paul recalled that I thought to myself that I had to do (persuaded that it was his duty!) many things hostile (enantios - contrary to and in defiance of) to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 26:9) In sum, Paul knew full well the character of these he grouped together as the opponent. Times may have changed but the heart of sinful man has not, so you can be assured that when you live out the gospel, you too will encounter and experience the opponent. When an opponent makes a rash, unfounded charge against a believer, the obvious and public testimony of that believer’s life should be so commonly known that the accuser is embarrassed by his false criticism. The true effectiveness of evangelism does not come from manmade methods, strategy, or marketing techniques adapted from the culture, but from the genuine virtue, moral purity, and godliness of believers whose lives give proof of the truth of God’s Word and the power of Christ to redeem men from sin. That is what silences the critics and makes the gospel believable. Paul writes to the Corinthian believers describing them as our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men. (2Cor 3:2) Writing to the Thessalonians Paul encouraged them that that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. (see notes 1Thessalonians 1:7; 1:8) As someone has said You may be the only Bible someone ever 'reads' Those who oppose sound speech are put to shame because they cannot find a chink in the believer’s armor. There is no argument as effective as a holy life! So Titus (and we) must be certain that the walk matches the talk. Peter conveyed a similar thought exhorting the tested saints: Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation (1Pe 2:12-note) and "that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men." (1Pe 2:15-note) Similarly Paul sought to motivate the Philippian saints to Do all things without grumbling or disputing that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. (see notes Philippians 2:14; 15) J. H. Jowett rightly said that Fine living is not only a fine argument, it is also an effective silencer of bad men. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_26-10.htm#Opponent%20enantios

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Opponent (1727) enantios

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