Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8727 enemies  »  8730 enemies, of believers

Christians must expect to face many enemies on account of their faith. Jesus Christ made it clear that such opposition was the inevitable result of commitment to him. Nevertheless, Christians are called upon to love their enemies.

Christians are enemies of the world because they belong to Jesus Christ

John 15:18-19 See also Psalm 86:14; John 17:14; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:15-16; 1 John 3:13

Opposition to Christians is opposition to Jesus Christ

Matthew 25:34-40 See also Mark 9:42; Luke 17:1; Acts 9:4-5

Particular enemies of Christians

All kinds of people

Mark 13:13 pp Matthew 10:22 See also John 15:21

Family members

Matthew 10:34-36 pp Luke 12:51-53 See also Genesis 37:1-11; Micah 7:6; Matthew 10:21 pp Mark 13:12

Religious zealots

Acts 4:18; Acts 5:28; Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1; 3Jn 9-10

Christians may be killed by their enemies

John 16:2 See also Acts 7:56-60; Acts 12:1-2; Acts 26:9-10; Revelation 6:9

Christian attitudes towards enemies

To love, do good, bless and pray for them

Matthew 5:44-45 See also Job 31:29-30; Luke 6:27-29,35; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:59-60; Romans 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9

To forgive them

Matthew 6:12-15; Luke 11:4; Luke 23:33-34; Acts 7:59-60

To help and show kindness to them

Romans 12:20 See also Proverbs 25:21-22; Luke 10:25-37

To show kindness to their beasts of burden

Exodus 23:4-5

Not to rejoice in their misfortunes

Proverbs 24:17-18

To win them with kindness

Romans 12:21 See also 1 Samuel 26:21

Christians have a spiritual enemy

Satan opposes Christians

1 Peter 5:8 See also Job 1:7-9; Luke 22:31; 2 Timothy 4:17-18

The need to engage in spiritual warfare

1 Peter 5:9 See also 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Timothy 5:14-15; 2 Timothy 4:7; James 4:7

God supports his people against their enemies

Psalm 23:5; John 17:15 See also Deuteronomy 33:27; 1 Samuel 12:11; 2 Samuel 22:1-3; Psalm 18:2; Psalm 43:1; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 59:1-2; Psalm 71:1-4; Psalm 91:1-4; Psalm 119:134; Psalm 140:1-2; Psalm 143:9; Psalm 144:11; Matthew 10:28-31; Luke 1:69,71; Luke 22:32; 2 Timothy 4:8

Death as the last enemy to be destroyed by Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:26 See also Psalm 116:8; 2 Timothy 1:10; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:4

See also

5560  suffering
5944  self-defence
6716  reconciliation
8220  courage, facing enemies
8291  kindness
8301  love and enemies
8450  martyrdom
8484  spiritual warfare, enemies
8610  prayer, asking God
8785  opposition
8794  persecution
9020  death