Oppose (cope) (436) anthistemi by Greek Word Studies

Resist (436) (anthistemi from anti = against + histemi = to cause to stand) is literally to stand or set against. To set one's self against. To withstand. Anthistemi means to arrange in battle against and so pictures a face to face confrontation. It means to set one's self against, to stand firm against someone else's onset, to oppose (place opposite or against), to resist by actively opposing pressure or power, to withstand (oppose with firm determination). It involves not only a psychological attitude but also a corresponding behavior. It was used to refer to an army arranging in battle against the enemy force and so to array against. The aorist imperative is a command for the readers to resist now, to resist effectively! It is urgent! There are the 14 NT uses of anthistemi translated: cope with(1), oppose(1), opposed(5), opposing(1), resist(5), resists(2).... Matthew 5:39 (note) "But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. Luke 21:15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. Acts 6:10 And yet they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Romans 9:19 (note) You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" Romans 13:2 (note) Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Galatians 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. Ephesians 6:13 (note) Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 2 Timothy 3:8 (note) And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith. 2 Timothy 4:15 (note) Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. James 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 1 Peter 5:9 (note) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. Wuest comments that "resist" (anthistemi) means means “to withstand, to be firm against someone else’s onset” rather than “to strive against that one.” The Christian would do well to remember that he cannot fight the devil. The latter was originally the most powerful and wise angel God created. He still retains much of that power and wisdom as a glance down the pages of history and a look about one today will easily show. While the Christian cannot take the offensive against Satan, yet he can stand his ground in the face of his attacks. Cowardice never wins against Satan, only courage. (Bolding added) (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans) Richison writes that anthistemi is a term of defense, not offense. The Christian must build fortifications against the Devil. The Christian is at war. We should establish bulwarks of faith against our enemy. We resist by obeying the commands of verse eight. We would do well to remember that we cannot fight the Devil in ourselves. (Richison, G: Today's Word) God commands us to forsake the world, deny the lusts of the flesh and resist the devil. Satan’s desire is to tempt believers to doubt, to deny, to disregard, and to disobey God. Resist means to defend oneself against the devil not to attack him. On the other hand to cower before the devil is to invite sure defeat. Clothed with the garment of a righteous lifestyle and strengthened in the inner man by the Spirit ensures effective resistance to diabolical attacks and procures his flight. On the other hand the believer is instructed (commanded) to flee from various evils... Flee immorality 1Cor 6:18, 19, 20 Flee from idolatry 1Cor 10:14, 15 Flee from these things [love of money], you man of God 1Ti 6:11 Flee from youthful lusts 2Ti 2:22 (note) Notice that every use of flee in these passages is in the present imperative and thus is a command to continuously flee. The believer is never instructed to flee from the Devil but to resist him! Constable adds that "Whereas God commands us to forsake the world and deny the lusts of the flesh we should resist the devil. Satan’s desire is to get the Christian to doubt, to deny, to disregard, and to disobey what God has said." (Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible) In a parallel passage James also uses verb anthistemi calling on believers to... Submit (line up under - do it now! It is urgent! = aorist imperative) therefore (because God opposes the proud who refuse to submit but gives grace to the humble who willingly, lovingly yield to Him) to God. Resist (anthistemi - aorist imperative) = take your stand against) the devil and he will flee from you. (Comment: What a paradox - it is the humble man or woman that Satan will flee from, not the one who is filled with pride! People who believe that the Devil is red believe a religious fairy tale. This passage makes it very clear that the Devil is yellow! The Devil is not afraid of us but of our faith. By depending on the Lord the weakest Christian can not only check the Devil but he can vanquish him. It is amazing that God has given Christians the power to resist the greatest creature ever made! The Devil is mighty but not invincible. Some people act as if the Devil is almighty. This is a sad mistake because it defers to him too much. Furthermore, an attitude of indecision and doubt when facing the devil makes him bold and aggressive in his attacks but confronting him with a resolute will and firm confidence in God's promise (that the enemy must flee) unmasks him as a coward. The devil cannot lead a man or woman into sin without the consent of that person's will. As long as the individual's will is submissive to the control and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that person can stand victorious against any deception and seduction the devil might cast his or her way. Peter uses anthistemi calling on believers to Humble (aorist imperative - be willing to bow down to Him) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time 7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit (aorist imperative), be on the alert (aorist imperative). Your adversary (see word study antídikos), the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist (anthistemi - aorist imperative) him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (See notes 1 Peter 5:6; 5:7; 5:8; 5:9 ) Warren Wiersbe makes a great point writing that... Before we can stand before Satan, we must bow before God. Peter resisted the Lord and ended up submitting to Satan!" (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) Despite the devil's deceptions, accusations, power, hatred and ferocity, we can successfully resist because God commands us to do so and His commands always include His enablement. Be aware that although the devil is a defeated foe, he is also a persistent foe (prowls in 1Peter 5:8 is = continually on the prowl!). For example, Luke records that when the devil had finished every temptation (of Jesus), he departed from Him until an opportune time. (Lk 4:13). In his first epistle John has several passages that reinforce the truth that the believer can resist the devil I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome (nikao - come off victorious over) the evil one (the devil and his evil angels). (1Jn 2:14) (Comment: These young men know sound doctrine and so are strong against sin and error because they have His Word in them and are enable to overcome the wiles of the devil, who makes havoc of spiritual children - Ephesians 4:14 -note) You are from God, little children, and have overcome (be victorious over) them; because greater is He who is in you (the Spirit of Christ) than he who is in the world. (the spirit of the devil and his henchmen) (1Jn 4:4). Comment: The context speaks especially of false doctrine, which the Spirit of God will help the believer discern as error. We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him. (1Jn 5:18, cp 1Jn 5:19) Comment: The word for touch means to lay hold of or to grasp in order to harm. Because the believer belongs to God, Satan must operate within God’s sovereignty and cannot function beyond what God allows, as taught for example in Job 2:5 (cp Job 1:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). God protects His children and places definite limits on Satan’s influence or power! A word of caution is in order. A believer should never "discuss" things with the Devil or his minions. Eve made this mistake, and paid for it dearly. Take your stand on the Word and then you will be able to withstand his attack. Resist the temptation to try special formulas or words directed at the devil or his henchmen. Simply purpose to remain steadfast in the faith, continuing to live in accord with the truth of God’s Word . As the believer feeds on sound doctrine and obeys God’s truth, Satan is "resisted". Satan is the father of lies and the prince of darkness but God's Truth exposes the enemy's lies and His Light overpowers darkness. John records that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (did not overpower it)." (Jn 1:5) The devil is far more intelligent and powerful than we are, so we cannot resist him in the strength of the flesh (cp 2Co 10:3, 4, 5, Eph 6:11, 12, 13, 14, see note). Our example in combating Satan is the Lord Jesus who defeated the devil's temptations by citing appropriate passages from God's Word. For example when the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Jesus "answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD (from Deut 8:3).'" (Mt 4:3-4, cp Lk 4:4) The devil in fact is already a defeated foe for Jesus "partook of (flesh and blood), that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (See note Hebrews 2:14). However, for personal victory "against the schemes of the devil" in our present circumstances, we must "put on the whole armor of God" (See notes Ephesians 6:11). Torrey's Topic Warfare of saints Is not after the flesh -2 Corinthians 10:3 Is a good warfare -1 Timothy 1:18,19 Called the good fight of faith -1 Timothy 6:12 IS AGAINST The devil -Ge 3:15; 2Co 2:11; Ep 6:12; James 4:7; 1Pe 5:8; Re 12:17 The flesh -Ro 7:23; 1Co 9:25, 26, 27; 2Co 12:7; Ga 5:17; 1Pe 2:11 Enemies -Ps 38:19; 56:2; 59:3 The world -Jn 16:33; 1Jn 5:4,5 Death -1Co 15:26; Heb 2:14,15 Often arises from the opposition of friends or relatives -Mic 7:6; Mt 10:35,36 TO BE CARRIED ON Under Christ, as our captain -Hebrews 2:10 Under the Lord’s banner -Psalms 60:4 With faith -1 Timothy 1:18,19 With a good conscience -1 Timothy 1:18,19 With steadfastness in the faith -1Co 16:13; 1Pe 5:9; Heb10:23 With earnestness -Jude 1:3 With watchfulness -1 Cor 16:13; 1 Peter 5:8 With sobriety -1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 Peter 5:8 With endurance or hardness -2 Timothy 2:3,10 With self-denial -1 Corinthians 9:25-27 With confidence in God -Psalms 27:1-3 With prayer -Psalms 35:1-3; Ephesians 6:18 Without earthly entanglements -2 Timothy 2:4 Mere professors do not maintain -Jeremiah 9:3 SAINTS Are all engaged in -Philippians 1:30 Must stand firm in -Ephesians 6:13,14 Exhorted to diligence -1 Timothy 6:12; Jude 1:3 Encouraged in -Isaiah 41:11,12; 51:12; Micah 7:8; 1 John 4:4 Helped by God in -Psalms 118:13; Isaiah 41:13,14 Protected by God in -Psalms 140:7 Comforted by God in 2 Corinthians 7:5,6 Strengthened by God in Psalms 20:2; 27:14; Isaiah 41:10 Strengthened by Christ in -2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Timothy 4:17 Delivered by Christ in -2 Timothy 4:18 Thank God for victory in Romans 7:25; 1 Corinthians 15:57 ARMOUR FOR Girdle of truth -Ephesians 6:14 Breastplate of righteousness -Ephesians 6:14 Preparation of the gospel -Ephesians 6:15 Shield of faith -Ephesians 6:16 Helmet of salvation -Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Sword of the Spirit -Ephesians 6:17 Called armour of God Ephesians 6:11 Called armour of righteousness -2 Corinthians 6:7 Called armour of light -Romans 13:12 Not carnal -2 Corinthians 10:4 Mighty through God -2 Corinthians 10:4,5 The whole, is required -Ephesians 6:13 Must be put on -Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:11 To be on right hand and left -2 Corinthians 6:7 VICTORY IN, IS From God -1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14 Through Christ -Ro 7:25; 1Co 15:27; 2Co 12:9; Re 12:11 By faith -Hebrews 11:33-37; 1 John 5:4,5 Over the devil -Romans 16:20; 1 John 2:14 Over the flesh -Romans 7:24,25; Galatians 5:24 Over the world -1 John 5:4,5 Over all that exalts itself -2 Corinthians 10:5 Over death and the grave -Is 25:8; 26:19; Ho 13:14; 1Co 15:54,55 Triumphant -Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 10:5 THEY WHO OVERCOME IN, SHALL Eat of the hidden manna -Revelation 2:17 Eat of the tree of life -Revelation 2:7 Be clothed in white raiment -Revelation 3:5 Be pillars in the temple of God Revelation 3:12 Sit with Christ in his throne -Revelation 3:21 Have a white stone, and, in it a new name written -Re 2:17 Have power over the nations -Revelation 2:26 Have the name of God written upon them by Christ -Re 3:12 Have God as their God -Revelation 21:7 Have the morning-star Revelation 2:28 Inherit all things -Revelation 21:7 Be confessed by Christ before God the Father -Re 3:5 Be sons of God -Revelation 21:7 Not be hurt by the second death -Revelation 2:11 Not have their names blotted out of the book of life -Re 3:5 Illustrated -Isaiah 9:5; Zechariah 10:5 FIRM IN [IN YOUR] FAITH: stereoi te pistei: (Lk 22:32; Eph 6:16; 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7; Heb 11:33) "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/1_peter_59.htm#resist

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Oppose (cope) (436) anthistemi

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