Lexical Summary antidikos: Adversary, opponent Original Word: ἀντίδικος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance adversary. From anti and dike; an opponent (in a lawsuit); specially, Satan (as the arch-enemy) -- adversary. see GREEK anti see GREEK dike HELPS Word-studies 476 antídikos (from 473 /antí, "against, off-set" and 1349 /díkē, "justice, a judge") – properly, a prosecuting attorney arguing a case-at-law; an "opponent at law" (TDNT). 476 /antídikos ("an accuser, adversary") brings formal charges, i.e. as they are binding to exact penalty. Satan acts as such an adversary, bringing the "(law)suit" of darkness against believers for their eternal damnation (cf. 1 Pet 5:8). Offsetting this is the perfect sacrifice of Christ (Jn 19:30)! [476 (antídikos) is "an adversary in a lawsuit," from anti/"against," and dīkē/"a lawsuit," WS, 319. 476 (antidikos) is a technical legal term used in antiquity of an adversary in a courtroom, i.e. someone seeking official (formal, binding) damages. The papyri (Pl Phdr 237) used 476 (antídikos) of an opponent in a law suit.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and diké Definition an opponent, adversary NASB Translation adversary (1), opponent (3), opponent at law (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 476: ἀντίδικοςἀντίδικος, ἀντίδικον (δίκη); as a substantive ὁ ἀντίδικος a. an opponent in a suit at law: Matthew 5:25; Luke 12:58; Luke 18:3 (Xenophon, Plato, often in the Attic orators). b. universally, an adversavy, enemy (Aesehyl. Ag. 41; Sir. 33:9; 1 Samuel 2:10; Isaiah 41:11, etc.): 1 Peter 5:8 (unless we prefer to regard the devil as here called ἀντίδικος because he accuses men before God). Strong’s Greek 476 designates an opponent in a judicial setting, an “adversary” who stands against another and seeks legal satisfaction. The term appears five times in the Greek New Testament, spread across the Gospels and one Petrine epistle. While retaining its courtroom nuance, it is expanded theologically to include the cosmic opposition of Satan to believers. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts • Matthew 5:25 (twice): “Reconcile quickly with your adversary while you are still with him on the way…”. In the Sermon on the Mount the word frames Jesus’ call to seek peace before conflict escalates to judgment. Legal Imagery in First-Century Life Roman Palestine was saturated with civil litigation. Debts, land, and honor disputes often proceeded from private negotiation to public trial. An adversary possessed the right to initiate proceedings and, if uncompensated, could secure imprisonment until satisfaction was made. Jesus’ listeners understood that court outcomes were costly and uncertain; therefore His summons to reconcile “on the way” carried practical weight. Ethical Call to Reconciliation In both Matthew and Luke the adversary represents more than a lawsuit opponent; he symbolizes any estranged party. The urgency to settle quickly upholds Jesus’ deeper message that Kingdom righteousness surpasses legal minimalism. Believers are to pursue peace proactively, reflecting the peacemaking character of God (Matthew 5:9). Prayer and Persistence Illustrated by the Widow Luke 18:1–8 uses the adversary to frame a parable on prayer. The powerless widow, facing an unnamed opponent, epitomizes saints beseeching God for justice amid oppression. Her relentless petitions anticipate the Lord’s swift vindication of His elect, encouraging persistent faith even when the adversary seems to dominate. Satan as the Ultimate Adversary 1 Peter 5:8 identifies the devil with the same courtroom term, portraying him as the prosecuting counsel who seeks conviction and destruction. The legal metaphor harmonizes with passages such as Revelation 12:10, where Satan is “the accuser of our brothers.” Yet believers possess a superior Advocate—Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1)—whose atoning work nullifies every charge (Romans 8:33–34). Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Vigilance in Spiritual Warfare The adversary’s intent demands sobriety, prayer, and resistance “firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). Shepherds must alert congregations to Satan’s strategies without fostering fear, grounding them in the victory of Christ. 2. Priority of Reconciliation Churches are to model swift, humble reconciliation. Unresolved conflict grants opportunity to the adversary (Ephesians 4:26–27). Biblical peacemaking averts spiritual and communal damage. 3. Confidence in Divine Justice Like the widow, oppressed believers may appeal to the Judge of all the earth. While earthly systems fail, God guarantees final rectification, emboldening perseverance under persecution. Theological Reflection Antidikos unites the realms of human relationship and cosmic struggle. Earthly adversaries foreshadow a deeper conflict wherein Satan accuses and Christ advocates. Scripture’s consistent testimony is that reconciliation—whether between people or between God and humanity—comes through the cross, disarming the adversary’s claims (Colossians 2:14–15). Consequently, the church lives in freedom yet remains vigilant, reconciling quickly with one another and resisting the devil by steadfast faith. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:25 N-DMSGRK: εὐνοῶν τῷ ἀντιδίκῳ σου ταχὺ NAS: quickly with your opponent at law KJV: with thine adversary quickly, INT: agreeing with adversary of you quickly Matthew 5:25 N-NMS Luke 12:58 N-GMS Luke 18:3 N-GMS 1 Peter 5:8 N-NMS Strong's Greek 476 |
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