The concept of opposition is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, manifesting in various contexts such as spiritual warfare, moral resistance, and interpersonal conflicts. The term "oppose" and its derivatives are used to describe actions or attitudes that stand against something or someone, often in the pursuit of righteousness or in the context of spiritual battles.

Spiritual Opposition

In the spiritual realm, opposition is often depicted as a struggle between good and evil. Believers are called to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11-12 instructs, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the nature of spiritual opposition and the need for divine strength and protection.

Moral and Ethical Opposition

The Bible also addresses the need to oppose evil and injustice in the world. Proverbs 31:8-9 encourages believers to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." This call to action underscores the responsibility of believers to oppose wrongdoing and advocate for justice.

Interpersonal Opposition

Opposition can also occur in personal relationships, often requiring wisdom and discernment. Jesus taught about handling opposition with love and forgiveness. In Matthew 5:44 , He instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This teaching challenges believers to respond to opposition not with retaliation, but with grace and compassion.

Opposition to God

Scripture warns against opposing God and His purposes. Acts 5:39 states, "But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God." This verse, spoken by Gamaliel, a Pharisee, during the early days of the Church, serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's will.

Examples of Opposition in Scripture

Numerous biblical figures faced opposition in their lives. Moses encountered resistance from Pharaoh (Exodus 5-12), Nehemiah faced opposition while rebuilding Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 4), and the Apostle Paul frequently dealt with adversaries in his missionary journeys (Acts 13:45, 2 Corinthians 11:24-26). These accounts illustrate the perseverance required to overcome opposition and fulfill God's calling.

Conclusion

The Bible provides guidance on how to navigate opposition, emphasizing reliance on God's strength, the importance of standing for righteousness, and the call to respond with love and forgiveness. Believers are encouraged to discern when to oppose evil and when to endure opposition for the sake of the Gospel.1. (n.) To place in front of, or over against; to set opposite; to exhibit.

2. (n.) To put in opposition, with a view to counterbalance or countervail; to set against; to offer antagonistically.

3. (n.) To resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend against; to confront; to resist; to withstand; as, to oppose the king in battle; to oppose a bill in Congress.

4. (n.) To compete with; to strive against; as, to oppose a rival for a prize.

5. (v. i.) To be set opposite.

6. (v. i.) To act adversely or in opposition; -- with against or to; as, a servant opposed against the act.

7. (v. i.) To make objection or opposition in controversy.

480. antikeimai -- to lie opposite, ie oppose, withstand
... to lie opposite, ie oppose, withstand. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: antikeimai
Phonetic Spelling: (an-tik'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I resist, oppose ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/480.htm - 7k

475. antidiatithemi -- to oppose, set oneself in opposition
... to oppose, set oneself in opposition. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
antidiatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-dee-at-eeth'-em-ahee) Short Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/475.htm - 6k

483. antilego -- to speak against, hence to contradict, oppose
... to speak against, hence to contradict, oppose. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
antilego Phonetic Spelling: (an-til'-eg-o) Short Definition: I speak or say ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/483.htm - 8k

478. antikathistemi -- to set down against, ie to replace, oppose
... to set down against, ie to replace, oppose. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
antikathistemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-kath-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/478.htm - 6k

436. anthistemi -- to set against, ie withstand
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anthistemi Phonetic Spelling: (anth-is'-tay-
mee) Short Definition: I take a stand against, oppose, resist Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/436.htm - 8k

498. antitasso -- to range in battle against, to set oneself ...
... 498 () is used in antiquity of resistance, like an army assuming a specific
battle-array position to resist in "full alignment"; to disagree (oppose) .]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/498.htm - 8k

496. antipipto -- to fall against, strive against
... against. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: antipipto Phonetic Spelling:
(an-tee-pip'-to) Short Definition: I fall foul of, resist, oppose Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/496.htm - 7k

1294. diastrepho -- to distort, fig. misinterpret, corrupt
... corrupt. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diastrepho Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-as-tref'-o) Short Definition: I pervert, corrupt, oppose Definition: I pervert ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1294.htm - 7k

471. anteipon -- to speak against
... Phonetic Spelling: (an-tep'-o) Short Definition: I speak or say in opposition, I
contradict Definition: I speak or say in opposition, contradict (oppose, resist ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/471.htm - 7k

1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... From dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, ie (literally and reflexively) to withdraw
from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

7852. satam -- to bear a grudge or cherish animosity against
... hate, oppose self against. A primitive root; properly, to lurk for, ie Persecute --
hate, oppose self against. 7851, 7852. satam. 7853 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7852.htm - 6k

7853. satan -- to be or act as adversary
... denominative verb from satan Definition to be or act as adversary NASB Word Usage
accuse (1), accusers (2), act as my accusers (1), adversaries (1), oppose (1 ...
/hebrew/7853.htm - 6k

5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... 1), fixed (1), fulfill (1), gives stability (1), halt (1), halted (1), hung (6),
join (1), last (1), living (1), make a stand (1), oppose (1), opposed (2 ...
/hebrew/5975.htm - 7k

5549. salal -- to lift up, cast up
... A primitive root; to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt;
reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam) -- cast up, exalt (self), extol, make plain ...
/hebrew/5549.htm - 6k

We are Careful not to Oppose Fair Arguments Even if they Proceed ...
... Chapter XLVI. We are careful not to oppose fair arguments even if they
proceed from those who? We are careful not to oppose fair ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlvi we are careful.htm

Resolves to Go to College. Friends Oppose. Wife Decides It. Hard ...
... CHAPTER VIII. Resolves to Go to College. Friends Oppose. Wife Decides It. ... Dishonest
Preacher. Resolves to Go to College. Friends Oppose. Wife Decides It. ...
/.../chapter viii resolves to go.htm

It was Enough for Me, Lord, to Oppose to those Deceived Deceivers. ...
... Book VII Chapter II It was enough for me, Lord, to oppose to those deceived
deceivers? It was enough for me, Lord, to oppose to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ii it was enough.htm

Sanctification.
... Now this is not only utterly unfair, but palpably absurd. If I oppose a doctrine
inculcated by another man, I am bound to oppose what he really holds. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvii sanctification.htm

On the Person of the Father and the Son
... and earth. To the former class we oppose the word of Christ: "I thank thee,
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth," &c. (Matthew 11 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 5 on the person.htm

If You Wish Me to Keep Silence, Cease from Accusing Me. Lay Down ...
... But I will content myself with a few statements from a single book; I will oppose
Wisdom to folly; for I hope if you despise the words of men you will not ...
/.../43 if you wish me.htm

Protest of the Princes.
... Again and again the immediate destruction of all who dared to oppose themselves
to Rome appeared inevitable; but at the critical moment the armies of the Turk ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /11 protest of the princes.htm

Protest of the Princes
... Again and again the immediate destruction of all who dared to oppose themselves
to Rome appeared inevitable; but at the critical moment the armies of the Turk ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 11 protest of the.htm

That There is a Malignant Party Still in the Kingdom.
... Are there not many who oppose the kingdom of Jesus Christ and work of reformation,
not only by holding up that old calumny of malignants, concerning the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section i that there is.htm

The Champion of Origen, You See, the Encomiast of Pamphilus ...
... the pope Anastasius, who follow out the heretic in every part of the world, when
your book passing under the name of Pamphilus is there to oppose their letters ...
/.../10 the champion of origen.htm

Oppose (29 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend
against; to confront; to resist; to withstand; as, to oppose the king in ...
/o/oppose.htm - 15k

Jambres (2 Occurrences)
... In Exodus 7:11, 22 Egyptian magicians are spoken of, who were called upon by Pharaoh
to oppose Moses and Aaron: "Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and ...
/j/jambres.htm - 11k

Jannes (2 Occurrences)
... In Exodus 7:11, 22 Egyptian magicians are spoken of, who were called upon by Pharaoh
to oppose Moses and Aaron: "Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and ...
/j/jannes.htm - 10k

Contradict (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To assert the contrary of; to oppose in words; to take issue with; to gainsay;
to deny the truth of, as of a statement or a speaker; to impugn. ...
/c/contradict.htm - 7k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Oppose. Multi-Version Concordance
Opposed (23 Occurrences). Luke 13:17 And as he said these ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Volition
... 14; in all things to be done, Matthew 6:10; Matthew 26:42 parallel, etc.; ordering
all things, Ephesians 1:11, etc.); human will, however, may oppose itself to ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Will (64996 Occurrences)
... 14; in all things to be done, Matthew 6:10; Matthew 26:42 parallel, etc.; ordering
all things, Ephesians 1:11, etc.); human will, however, may oppose itself to ...
/w/will.htm - 13k

Front (327 Occurrences)
... view. 9. (vt) To oppose face to face; to oppose directly; to meet in a hostile
manner. 10. (vt) To appear before; to meet. 11. (vt ...
/f/front.htm - 37k

Adversary (100 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who is turned against another or others with a design to oppose or resist
them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an antagonist ...
/a/adversary.htm - 40k

Meekness (14 Occurrences)
... teachers or those in authority in "instructing (the Revised Version (British and
American) "correcting," margin "instructing") them that oppose themselves" (2 ...
/m/meekness.htm - 16k

Does God oppose religious freedom in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Why are Christians opposed to marriage equality? | GotQuestions.org

What is New Israel? | GotQuestions.org

Oppose: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus