Understanding ἀντεῖπον (anteípon) Strong’s G471: The Divine Power to Speak Against All Opposition

Pronunciation Guide: ant-EYE-pon

Basic Definition

Strong’s G471: A strong verb meaning “to speak against, to contradict, to gainsay.” It emphasizes the act of verbal opposition or contradiction, often in the context of disputation or debate. This word particularly carries the connotation of speaking in direct opposition to someone or something, with an emphasis on the confrontational nature of the speech.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb (Second Aorist Active Indicative)
• Compound word from ἀντί (against) and εἶπον (to speak)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Common in classical Greek rhetoric and philosophical debates
• Found in both direct speech and reported discourse

ἀντεῖπον Morphology:

• ἀντεῖπον (aorist active indicative) – spoke against
• ἀντειπεῖν (aorist active infinitive) – to speak against
• ἀντειπών (aorist active participle) – having spoken against

Origin & History

The word ἀντεῖπον emerged from classical Greek rhetoric, where it played a crucial role in philosophical debates and legal proceedings. Plato frequently used it in his “Dialogues” when describing Socratic debates, particularly in the “Apology” where it represents the act of speaking in defense against accusations.

In the Septuagint, ἀντεῖπον appears in contexts of prophetic opposition and divine-human dialogue, notably in Job 9:3 where it describes the impossibility of successfully contradicting God. The early church fathers, particularly Origen in his “Contra Celsum,” employed this term when discussing apologetic responses to critics of Christianity.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To speak in direct opposition to someone
• To contradict or refute an argument
• To respond defensively against accusations
• To resist verbally with authority

ἀντεῖπον Translation Options:

• “Speak against” – Emphasizes the directional nature of the opposition
• “Contradict” – Highlights the element of negation or denial
• “Gainsay” – Archaic but precise translation capturing both opposition and speech
• “Resist” – When used in contexts of verbal resistance to authority

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀντεῖπον appears most prominently in Luke 21:15, where the Messiah promises His disciples divine wisdom that none of their adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. This usage reveals a profound theological truth about the insurmountable nature of God-given wisdom.

The word carries particular weight in contexts of spiritual warfare and apologetics, emphasizing the divine empowerment of believers to stand firm in their testimony. Its usage often parallels Old Testament prophetic encounters where divine truth confronts human opposition.

Key appearances include:

• “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict [ἀντεῖπον].” Luke 21:15
• “But they could not contradict [ἀντεῖπον] the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” Acts 6:10

Cultural Insights

In ancient Greek courts, the ability to ἀντεῖπον effectively was considered a crucial skill for both prosecutors and defenders. This cultural background illuminates the significance of Jesus’s promise in Luke 21:15, as He assures His followers of a divine eloquence that surpasses even the most skilled rhetorical opponents.

The Jewish legal system of the Second Temple period placed great emphasis on the ability to argue and counter-argue in matters of Torah interpretation. This context adds depth to the use of ἀντεῖπον in Acts, where Stephen’s Spirit-empowered wisdom renders his opponents unable to contradict him effectively.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀντεῖπον in Scripture reveals a powerful truth about divine empowerment in spiritual warfare. When God grants wisdom and utterance to His people, no human or demonic opposition can successfully contradict it. This demonstrates God’s sovereign authority over all forms of opposition to His truth.

The word also highlights the supernatural nature of Spirit-inspired speech, showing how God equips His servants with wisdom that transcends human rhetoric. This connects to the broader biblical theme of divine enabling, where God’s power is perfected in human weakness.

Personal Application

When facing opposition to our faith or feeling inadequate in defending truth, we can take comfort in knowing that God promises to give us wisdom that no adversary can successfully contradict. This isn’t about winning arguments but about relying on His Spirit to speak through us when we need it most.

This word reminds us that our confidence in speaking God’s truth should not rest in our own eloquence or wisdom, but in His faithful provision of exactly what we need in moments of confrontation or testimony.

Related Words

• ἀντιλέγω (antilegō) – to speak against, oppose, contradict (present tense form) – See G483
• ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrinomai) – to answer, reply – See G611
• ἀντιτάσσω (antitassō) – to range in battle against, oppose – See G498
• διαλέγομαι (dialegomai) – to discuss, reason, dispute – See G1256

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek rhetoric schools, students would practice ἀντεῖπον exercises where they had to argue both sides of a case to develop their debating skills.
• The compound structure of ἀντεῖπον (ἀντί + εἶπον) follows a common pattern in Greek where the prefix ἀντί- (against) is added to verbs to create words describing opposition or reciprocal action.
• Modern Greek still uses forms of this word in legal contexts, particularly in court proceedings where formal objections are raised.

Remember This

Divine wisdom, when granted by God, provides an unassailable defense that no human argument can successfully contradict or overcome.