Adversary
Adversary
This renders three Greek words in the NT:
1. , properly an adversary in a lawsuit, and used of an earthly adversary in Mat 5:25, Luk 12:58; Luk 18:3 -all these with a legal reference. It is used of an enemy of God in 1Sa 2:10 (Septuagint ), and in 1Pe 5:8 of the enemy, Satan; in this last passage is anarthrous, as a proper name, while has the article (see Devil and Satan).
2. , used in Luk 13:17 of our Lords Jewish opponents, and in Luk 21:15 of all adversaries of the disciples, is employed by St. Paul to denote those who oppose the Christian religion, probably in all cases with the suggestion that the devil is working through them. Such are the adversaries of 1Co 16:9, Php 1:28; in 1Ti 5:14 Chrysostom takes the adversary to be Satan, the reviler (cf. 1Ti 5:15), or he may be the human enemy as prompted by Satan. In 2Th 2:4 he that opposeth ( ) is Antichrist (q.v. [Note: quod vide, which see.] ), whose parousia is according to the working of Satan (1Ti 5:9); and it is interesting to note that the letter of the Churches of Vienne and Lyons ( Historia Ecclesiastica (Eusebius, etc.)v. i. 5) uses this expression absolutely of Satan, or of Antichrist, working through the persecutors, and giving us a foretaste of his unbridled activity at his future coming.
3. is used in Heb 10:27 of the adversaries of God, apostates from Christ, probably with reference to Isa 26:11, where the Septuagint has the same word. A similar phrase in Tit 2:8 is he that is of the contrary part, an opponent, . In Col 2:14 the word is used of an inanimate object: the bond which was contrary to us.
A. J. Maclean.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
ADVERSARY
One who sets himself in opposition to another: one of the names of Satan.
See SATAN.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
Adversary
in Heb. properly , satan (i.e. Satan, as it signifies, when with the article), an opponent, e.g. in war, a foe (1Ki 5:18; 1Ki 11:14; 23:25; 1Sa 29:4), in the forum, a plaintiff (Psa 109:6; comp. Zec 3:1-2), or generally a resister (2Sa 19:23), as one that blocks the way (Num 22:23; comp. Num 22:32). In Greek properly , one who speaks against us, e.g. in a suit, the complainant (Mat 5:25; Luk 12:50); or, generally, an enemy (Luk 18:3), specially, the Devil (1Pe 5:8). SEE ACCUSER.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Adversary
(Heb. satan), an opponent or foe (1 Kings 5:4; 11:14, 23, 25; Luke 13:17); one that speaks against another, a complainant (Matt. 5:25; Luke 12:58); an enemy (Luke 18:3), and specially the devil (1 Pet. 5:8).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Adversary
The meaning of Satan (1Pe 5:8); also divine justice (Luk 12:58-59).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Adversary
ADVERSARY.In the Gospels the word adversary stands twice (Luk 13:17; Luk 21:15) for , and thrice (Mat 5:25, Luk 12:58; Luk 18:3) for . The first two passages require no comment, as they describe the opponents of the gospel in the simplest terms, as adversaries. Thus we read that when Jesus triumphantly vindicated His actions, His adversaries were ashamed and could not answer Him. Similarly Jesus assured His disciples that none of their adversaries in the approaching time of persecution should be able to gainsay or resist the words of wisdom which the Holy Spirit would put into their months.
In Mat 5:25 (|| Luk 12:58), and again in the parable of the Unjust Judge (Luk 18:3), the question suggests itself, Who is the adversary referred to? The passage from the Sermon on the Mount occurs as one of a series of maxims of Christian prudence, and the key to its interpretation is suggested by that which immediately precedes it (Mat 5:23 f.), where Christ says that reconciliation with an offended brother must go before the offering of a gift at Gods altar.
Alienation from the brother offended must operate as a hindrance to true worship. Therefore he who would be accepted of God must do justly by his brother and have all cause of difference with him removed, for if he regards iniquity in his heart, has upon his conscience the guilt of wrongdoing or ill-will, or a grudge, the Lord will not hear him (Psa 66:16). Thus a certain order must be observed in connexion with this matter of worship. Still more, Jesus appears to suggest, does this principle of order hold in respect of the controversy between God and sinners. Reconciliation with God must be for every man the first business to be attended to. That antagonism must be removed, and he must satisfy the claim which the law of God has against him in the first place, else if he fails to avail himself of the present opportunity of ending the controversy, the law must take its course. The adversary referred to is thus the broken law, or God Himself as the Author of the law, whom the unreconciled sinner treats as an adversary (cf. Luk 14:31 f.).
In the parable of the Unjust Judge the widows petition against her opponent at law, and her importunity in pressing it upon the attention of the judge, are used to illustrate the prayers of Gods elect. The reference seems to be to the opposition which, in her efforts to promote the cause and kingdom of God, the Church is obliged to encounter, some adverse influence to which she has long been exposed, and against which she fears she is left to struggle alone. Here there is no special reason for identifying this adversary with Satan (cf. Alford, in loc.; Trench, Parables, 488, etc.) or with the Jewish persecutors of the Early Church (Weizscker, who regards the passage as a late addition; cf. Weiss in Meyers Commentary, in loc.). We must not forget that the word occurs in a parable which was spoken with a special didactic purpose, that being, as St. Luke is careful to explain, the encouragement not of the Church only, but especially of individual believers, to persevere in their efforts by faith and prayer to withstand the power of evil in the world, in whatever form it may assail them or thwart their endeavours. Christs object was to assure them that their importunity must prevail with God, who shall soon respond to their prayers and grant them the victory over all that would frustrate their efforts for the advancement of His cause. See also art. Satan.
Literature.Cremer, Bib.-Theol. Lex. s.vv. , ; Trench, Notes on the Parables; Bruce, The Parabolic Teaching of Christ: comm. of Meyer, Alford, Bengel, etc.; Schmid, Biblical Theology of the NT, p. 175 ff.; Beyschlag, NT Theology (2nd English ed.), i. 90; H. J. Holtzmann, Lehrbuch der neutest. Theologie, i. 179 ff.; Weizsacker, Apostolic Age, ii. 61; Wernle, The Beginnings of Christianity, i. 76 ff.
H. H. Currie.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Adversary
This is a general name applied to all persons, in common, who have a controversy, or are at variance with each other. Thus the Lord saith to Israel, “I will be an adversary to thine adversaries.” (Exo 23:22) And the prophet describes the Lord as an adversary to his people, in the day of his displeasure. “He hath bent his bow (saith he) as an enemy; he stood with his right hand as an adversary.” (Lam 2:4) And the Lord Jesus describes God the Father, as a law adversary, when he saith, (Mat 5:25) “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him.” The Scriptures represent also Satan, as an adversary to Christ and his church. Thus Jesus, by the spirit of prophecy, saith, “Who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.” (Isa 50:8) And Zechariah (Zec 3:1) represents Satan as “an adversary standing at Joshua’s right hand, to resist him.” And the apostle Peter calls the devil an adversary going about to devour; and chargeth the church to resist him steadfast in faith. (1Pe 5:8) From these different views of the word, it will be very easy to learn, that the name of adversary is indiscriminately given to all persons who are in a state of controversy with each other, whether good or evil.
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Adversary
adver-sa-ri, adver-sa-ri: This word (in the singular or plural) is used in the Old Testament to render different Hebrew words. In thirty-two cases the word corresponds to the noun , car, or the verb , carar. This noun is the ordinary word for foe or adversary. In twelve passages the Hebrew word, of which adversary is the translation, is , satan = noun or , satan = verb. This stem means to oppose, or thwart anyone in his purpose or claims.
The angel of Yahweh was satan to Balaam (Num 22:22). The word often denotes a political adversary (1Ki 11:14, 1Ki 11:23, 1Ki 11:25). In four cases (namely, Prologue to Job; Zec 3:1, Zec 3:2; 1Ch 21:1; Psa 109:6) the King James Version retains Satan as the rendering. But it is only in 1 Chronicles that the word is used without the article, that is, strictly as a proper name. The Septuagint gives , diabolos, as the rendering, and both in Job and Zechariah, Satan is portrayed as the false accuser. In two cases adversary represents two Hebrew expressions which mean the opponent in a suit or controversy (Job 31:35; Isa 50:8).
In the New Testament adversary represents: (1) , , antikemenoi, the participle of a verb which means to be set over against, to be opposed (Luk 13:17; Phi 2:8). (2) , antdikos, opponent in a lawsuit, prosecutor (Mat 5:25; Luk 12:58; Luk 18:3; 1Pe 5:8). According to the last passage the devil is the accuser or prosecutor of believers, but according to another writer they have an advocate or counselor for the defense with the Father (1Jo 2:1). In one passage (Heb 10:27) adversary represents a Greek word, hupenantos, which means set over against, contrary to – a word used in classical Greek and in the Septuagint.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Adversary
firstly, “an opponent in a lawsuit,” Mat 5:25 (twice); Luk 12:58; Luk 18:3, is also used to denote “an adversary or an enemy,” without reference to legal affairs, and this is perhaps its meaning in 1Pe 5:8, where it is used of the Devil. Some would regard the word as there used in a legal sense, since the Devil accuses men before God.
is, lit., “to lie opposite to, to be set over against.” In addition to its legal sense it signifies “to withstand;” the present participle of the verb with the article, which is equivalent to a noun, signifies “an adversary,” e.g., Luk 13:17; Luk 21:15; 1Co 16:9; Phi 1:28; 1Ti 5:14. This construction is used of the Man of Sin, in 2Th 2:4, and is translated “He that opposeth,” where, adopting the noun form, we might render by “the opponent and self-exalter against…” In Gal 5:17 it is used of the antagonism between the Holy Spirit and the flesh in the believer; in 1Ti 1:10, of anything, in addition to persons, that is opposed to the doctrine of Christ. In these two places the word is rendered “contrary to.” In the Sept. it is used of Satan, Zec 3:1, and of men, Job 13:24; Isa 66:6. See CONTRARY, OPPOSE.
“contrary, opposed,” is a strengthened form of enantios (en, “in,” and antios, “set against”). The intensive force is due to the preposition hupo. It is translated “contrary to,” in Col 2:14, of ordinances; in Heb 10:27, “adversaries.” In each place a more violent form of opposition is suggested than in the case of enantios. See CONTRARY.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Adversary
Mat 5:25 (b) The adversary in this portion evidently refers to GOD who sends His porter, death, to take men from this scene to the Judge, the Lord JESUS. Being found guilty, the Lord JESUS hands this wicked sinner over to one of His angels who is the officer. The angel takes the lost sinner to hell, which is GOD’s prison house. Since the prisoner can never pay the debt he must remain there forever.
1Ti 5:14 (b) The adversary in this passage refers to critics of GOD’s people who in their opposition to CHRIST are quick to find fault with GOD’s people, and to call attention to the failures of Christians.