Understanding ἀντιλοιδορέω (antiloidoreō) Strong’s G486: The Power of Not Retaliating When Reviled – Following the Messiah’s Example

Pronunciation Guide: an-tee-loy-dor-EH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G486: A compound verb meaning “to revile in return” or “to answer abusive language with abuse.” This word specifically describes the act of responding to verbal attacks or insults with similar hostile speech. The term is particularly significant as it appears in the context of the Messiah’s example of not responding to abuse with abuse, demonstrating divine restraint and grace under persecution.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Words: ἀντί (anti, “in return, against”) + λοιδορέω (loidoreō, “to revile, abuse”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Narrative and teaching passages
• Voice: Active
• Tense: Present

ἀντιλοιδορέω Morphology:

• ἀντιλοιδορέω (present active indicative) – to revile in return
• ἀντιλοιδορῶν (present active participle) – reviling in return
• ἀντελοιδόρει (imperfect active indicative) – was reviling in return

Origin & History

The compound verb ἀντιλοιδορέω emerged from the combination of the preposition ἀντί, indicating reciprocal action, and λοιδορέω, a well-established Greek verb meaning “to revile.” While the simple form λοιδορέω appears in classical Greek literature, notably in Plato’s “Republic” where he discusses the behavior of angry men, the compound form is relatively rare in classical literature.

In the Septuagint, the simple form λοιδορέω appears several times, particularly in wisdom literature, warning against the dangers of reviling speech. However, the compound form ἀντιλοιδορέω is not found in the Septuagint, making its New Testament usage particularly significant.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Rome in his First Epistle to the Corinthians (Chapter 13), drew upon this word when discussing Christ-like behavior under persecution, emphasizing the spiritual discipline of not returning evil for evil.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To return verbal abuse or insults
• To retaliate with harsh words
• To respond to mockery with mockery
• To answer reproach with reproach

ἀντιλοιδορέω Translation Options:

• “revile in return” – Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the action
• “return abuse” – Captures the responsive element while maintaining clarity
• “answer back with insults” – Provides a more colloquial understanding
• “retaliate verbally” – Broadens the concept while maintaining the essence

Biblical Usage

The word ἀντιλοιδορέω appears most notably in 1 Peter 2:23, where it describes what the Messiah did not do during His suffering. This usage is particularly powerful as it appears in a passage describing Jesus’s perfect example of handling unjust suffering. The verse emphasizes that when He was reviled, He did not revile in return (οὐκ ἀντελοιδόρει), setting a profound example for believers.

The absence of this word elsewhere in the New Testament makes its singular usage even more significant, as it appears in a context specifically designed to provide a model for believers facing persecution. This aligns with other teachings about non-retaliation, such as Matthew 5:39 and Romans 12:17.

• “Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return [ἀντελοιδόρει]” 1 Peter 2:23

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Roman world, the concept of not retaliating against verbal abuse was counter-cultural. Roman society valued defending one’s honor through equal or greater retaliation. The Greek and Roman rhetorical traditions actually included training in how to deliver effective verbal counterattacks. This makes the Messiah’s example, and Peter’s teaching, even more remarkable.

The Jewish background adds another layer of significance. While the Torah commanded “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21:24) as a legal principle limiting retaliation, the rabbis had already begun interpreting this as referring to monetary compensation rather than literal retaliation. However, the Messiah’s teaching and example went further, calling for no retaliation at all.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀντιλοιδορέω in describing what Jesus did not do provides a powerful theological statement about His character and mission. His refusal to retaliate demonstrates not weakness, but divine strength under perfect control. This reflects the character of God Himself, who is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8).

This non-retaliation was part of fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about the Suffering Servant who, “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). The theological implications extend to our understanding of atonement, as the Messiah’s non-retaliation was essential to His sacrificial role.

The word also reveals the transformative power of grace, showing how God’s people are called to participate in breaking the cycle of retaliation through supernatural restraint empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Personal Application

When we grasp the significance of ἀντιλοιδορέω, we understand that our response to verbal attacks is a profound opportunity to display the character of the Messiah. This isn’t about being passive or weak, but about exhibiting divine strength through Spirit-enabled self-control.

In our social media age, where reactive responses and verbal retaliation are commonplace, this word challenges us to pause and consider: Will we respond as the world does, or will we follow our Messiah’s example? Each instance of verbal attack becomes an opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives.

Related Words

• λοιδορέω (loidoreō) – to revile, abuse – Shows the base word without the reciprocal aspect See G3058
• λοιδορία (loidoria) – railing, reviling – The noun form of verbal abuse See G3059
• ὀνειδίζω (oneidizō) – to reproach, revile – Similar word with focus on bringing reproach See G3679
• βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō) – to blaspheme, speak evil of – More severe form of verbal attack See G987

Did you Know?

• The prefix ἀντί- in ἀντιλοιδορέω is the same prefix from which we get the English word “anti-.” However, in this Greek compound, it specifically indicates reciprocal action rather than mere opposition.
• While ἀντιλοιδορέω appears only once in the New Testament, the concept it represents appears throughout Scripture, including in the Beatitudes where Jesus teaches “Blessed are you when people insult you” (Matthew 5:11).
• Modern Greek still uses the simple form λοιδορώ (loidorō) to mean “to revile” or “to abuse verbally,” showing the enduring nature of this word family in the Greek language.

Remember This

ἀντιλοιδορέω stands as a powerful reminder that true strength is not shown in retaliation but in Spirit-empowered restraint, following the example of our Messiah who, when reviled, did not revile in return.