Understanding ἀντίκειμαι (antikeimai) Strong’s G480: The Spiritual Warfare of Active Opposition and Resistance Against God’s Kingdom

Pronunciation Guide: an-tik’-i-mahee

Basic Definition

Strong’s G480: ἀντίκειμαι (antikeimai) describes an active, ongoing state of opposition or resistance. It literally means “to lie opposite to” or “to be set against,” implying a deliberate positioning of oneself in opposition to someone or something. This compound word powerfully conveys the idea of sustained, purposeful antagonism rather than merely casual disagreement.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Present Middle/Passive Participle Verb
• Compound word from ἀντί (anti, “against”) + κεῖμαι (keimai, “to lie, be placed”)
• Primary usage in teaching passages about spiritual warfare and persecution
• Often used in present tense to indicate ongoing opposition

ἀντίκειμαι Morphology:

• ἀντίκειμαι (present indicative) – I oppose/am opposing
• ἀντικείμενος (masculine nominative participle) – one who opposes
• ἀντικειμένη (feminine nominative participle) – one who opposes
• ἀντικείμενοι (masculine nominative plural) – those who oppose

Origin & History

The word ἀντίκειμαι has roots in classical Greek military and legal terminology, where it described armies positioned against each other in battle formation or legal adversaries in court. Thucydides uses it in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” to describe opposing military forces, while Plato employs it in “The Republic” to discuss philosophical opposites.

In the Septuagint, ἀντίκειμαι appears notably in passages describing Israel’s enemies and those who oppose God’s people. The word carries a stronger connotation in biblical usage than in secular Greek, often implying spiritual opposition rather than mere physical confrontation.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Active, deliberate opposition against someone or something
• Positioning oneself as an adversary
• Standing against or resisting with hostile intent
• Being set in opposition by nature or character

ἀντίκειμαι Translation Options:

• “to oppose” – emphasizes the active nature of the resistance
• “to be adverse to” – captures the positional aspect of being set against
• “to be an adversary” – highlights the personal nature of the opposition
• “to actively resist” – stresses the ongoing nature of the opposition

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀντίκειμαι frequently appears in contexts of spiritual warfare and opposition to God’s work. Its first appearance in Luke 13:17 shows the shame of those who “opposed” Jesus after His healing of a woman on the Sabbath. This sets a pattern for its usage throughout the New Testament, where it often describes both human and spiritual opposition to God’s kingdom.

• “And all His adversaries [ἀντικείμενοι] were put to shame” Luke 13:17
• “For many adversaries [ἀντικείμενοι] oppose me” 1 Corinthians 16:9
• “Only he who now restrains will do so until he who opposes [ἀντικείμενος] is taken out of the way” 2 Thessalonians 2:7
• “If anyone disobeys our word… note that person and do not associate with him… yet do not regard him as an enemy [ἀντικείμενον]” 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
• “These things I command you… that you may not be caused to stumble by those who oppose [ἀντικειμένων]” 1 Timothy 1:18-19

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish thought, the concept of opposition was deeply tied to the yetzer hara (evil inclination) and the yetzer hatov (good inclination). The rabbis taught that these opposing forces were constantly at war within each person. The use of ἀντίκειμαι in the New Testament often reflects this understanding of spiritual opposition as an active, ongoing reality rather than a passive state.

The word’s military connotations would have been particularly meaningful in the Roman-occupied Holy Land, where visible examples of opposing forces were a daily reality. This military imagery enhanced the spiritual metaphor of standing against the kingdom of darkness.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀντίκειμαι reveals a profound truth about spiritual warfare – opposition to God and His kingdom is not passive but active and purposeful. This understanding helps explain why the New Testament frequently portrays the Christian life as a battle requiring full armor (Ephesians 6:10-17).

The word also illuminates the nature of satanic opposition. Satan is not merely a neutral party but one who actively positions himself against God’s purposes. This active opposition began in heaven (Revelation 12:7-9) and continues on earth through various means of resistance to God’s kingdom.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀντίκειμαι should alert believers to the reality of active spiritual opposition in their lives. Just as the word implies purposeful positioning against something, we must purposefully position ourselves under God’s protection and authority. This requires vigilance and an active faith response rather than passive acknowledgment of spiritual realities.

When facing opposition, remember that it often indicates you’re moving in the right direction spiritually. Opposition can be a sign that your life and ministry are effectively advancing God’s kingdom.

Related Words

• ἀντίδικος (antidikos) – adversary, opponent in a lawsuit; emphasizes legal opposition – See G476
• ἐναντίος (enantios) – contrary, opposed to; focuses on the quality of being contrary – See G1727
• ἀνθίστημι (anthistemi) – to withstand, resist; emphasizes active resistance – See G436
• ἀντιτάσσω (antitasso) – to range in battle against; stresses military opposition – See G498

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀντίκειμαι in ancient Greek warfare referred to the strategic positioning of troops directly opposite the enemy, reflecting the word’s literal meaning of “lying opposite to.”
• In modern Greek, derivatives of ἀντίκειμαι are still used in legal terminology to describe opposing parties in a court case, maintaining its ancient connotation of formal opposition.
• The participial form ὁ ἀντικείμενος (ho antikeimenos) became an early church title for Satan, literally meaning “the opposer,” similar to the Hebrew השטן (ha-satan).

Remember This

ἀντίκειμαι reminds us that spiritual opposition is not passive but an active, strategic positioning against God’s purposes, requiring believers to be equally intentional in standing firm in their faith.