The term "withstand" in the Bible often conveys the idea of resisting or opposing, particularly in the context of spiritual or moral challenges. It is a call to stand firm against adversaries, whether they be physical, spiritual, or ideological. The concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of faith, courage, and reliance on God's strength.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of withstanding is frequently associated with the Israelites' battles against their enemies. For instance, in 2 Chronicles 13:7-8, King Abijah of Judah speaks of how the men of Israel "withstood" the rightful king, highlighting the theme of opposition against God's chosen leaders. The Hebrew term often translated as "withstand" can imply a physical confrontation or a more abstract resistance to authority or divine will.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of withstanding takes on a more spiritual dimension. Ephesians 6:13 instructs believers to "take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand." Here, withstanding is linked to spiritual warfare, where believers are called to resist the devil and his schemes by relying on God's provision and strength.

James 4:7 further emphasizes this spiritual resistance: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The act of withstanding is portrayed as an active resistance against evil, requiring submission to God and a firm stance against temptation and sin.

Theological Implications

Theologically, withstanding is an expression of faith and trust in God's power and promises. It is not merely a human effort but a divine enablement. Believers are encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to resist evil and stand firm in their convictions. This resistance is not passive but involves active engagement with the world, standing for truth and righteousness in the face of opposition.

Practical Application

In practical terms, withstanding involves a commitment to biblical principles and a readiness to face challenges with courage and integrity. It calls for discernment to recognize the forces of evil and the wisdom to respond appropriately. Christians are encouraged to cultivate spiritual disciplines such as prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers to strengthen their ability to withstand.

Examples of Withstanding in Scripture

Several biblical figures exemplify the act of withstanding. Daniel and his friends resisted the pressures of Babylonian culture, remaining faithful to God despite the threat of persecution (Daniel 3, 6). The apostles, particularly Peter and John, withstood the Sanhedrin's orders to stop preaching about Jesus, boldly proclaiming their allegiance to God over human authority (Acts 4:19-20).

In summary, the biblical concept of withstanding is a call to resist evil, stand firm in faith, and rely on God's strength to overcome challenges. It is a vital aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a commitment to live according to God's will in a world often opposed to His truth.(prep.) To stand against; to oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral force; as, to withstand an attack of troops; to withstand eloquence or arguments.436. anthistemi -- to set against, ie withstand
... to set against, ie withstand. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anthistemi Phonetic
Spelling: (anth-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I take a stand against ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/436.htm - 8k

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

503. antophthalmeo -- to look in the face, look straight at
... Phonetic Spelling: (ant-of-thal-meh'-o) Short Definition: I face, resist Definition:
I face (lit: I present my eye to), resist, withstand; as nautical term: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/503.htm - 6k

2967. koluo -- to hinder
... forbid, hinder, prevent. From the base of kolazo; to estop, ie Prevent (by word
or act) -- forbid, hinder, keep from, let, not suffer, withstand. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2967.htm - 7k

478. antikathistemi -- to set down against, ie to replace, oppose
... resist. From anti and kathistemi; to set down (troops) against, ie Withstand --
resist. see GREEK anti. see GREEK kathistemi. (antikatestete) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/478.htm - 6k

472. antecho -- to hold against, ie to hold firmly to
... Transliteration: antecho Phonetic Spelling: (an-tekh'-om-ahee) Short Definition:
I hold fast to Definition: trans: I hold against; intrans: I withstand; mid: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/472.htm - 7k

5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand
... 3), stopped (9), survives (1), take a stand (1), take their stand (1), took his
stand (1), took their stand (1), wait (1), waited (1), withstand (1), withstand ...
/hebrew/5975.htm - 7k

7854. satan -- adversary, also the name of the superhuman ...
... adversary, Satan, withstand. From satan; an opponent; especially (with the article
prefixed) Satan, the arch-enemy of good -- adversary, Satan, withstand. ...
/hebrew/7854.htm - 6k

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax)
strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... 26), sight* (1), straight* (3), stubborn* (1), surface (26), table (1), tops (1),
toward* (4), under (1), upside* (1), vanguard (1), whole (1), withstand* (1). ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

Songs of the Cross. Can I My Fate no More Withstand
... SONGS OF THE CROSS. Can I my fate no more withstand. [335]1. Can I my fate
no more withstand [336]2. O Christ, Thou bright and Morning ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/songs of the cross can.htm

Whether it is a Grave Sin for the Listener to Suffer the Backbiter ...
... they have been incited by their own wickedness, in order that our merit may be the
greater." Therefore a man does not sin if he does not withstand those who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a grave.htm

Scriptural Instances Wherein it is Proved that God Has Men's Wills ...
... It is not, then, to be doubted that men's wills cannot, so as to prevent His doing
what he wills, withstand the will of God, "who hath done all things ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 45 scriptural instances wherein it.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... As for the men who had built the bridge, which had been found thus inadequate to
withstand the force of a wintery tempest, he ordered every one of them to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

A Second Time the Master Zachyas, Doctor of the Law...
... or what breasts gave him suck? I flee before him; I am not able to withstand the
words from his mouth, but my heart is astounded to hear such words. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 31 a second time.htm

James i. 12-15
... them away into sin. The Almighty, whom no one is able to withstand, has
plunged them into these temptations. To this James replies ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 15-dec.htm

And when all were in Such Joy, came Satan the Heir of Darkness...
... single word? or if he be so, canst thou withstand him? It seems to me that,
if he be so, no one will be able to withstand him. And ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 4 20 and when.htm

Whether Fortitude is About Fear and Dying?
... vii): "The fortitude of the just man is to overcome the flesh, to withstand
self-indulgence, to quench the lusts of the present life." Therefore fortitude ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude is about fear.htm

The Panoply of God
... 'Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in
the evil day, and having done all, to stand.'"Ephesians 6:13. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the panoply of god.htm

Things that Cannot be Shaken
... The wise man's house, on the contrary, which is built on the rock, is able to withstand
all the stress of the storm, and remains unshaken through winds and ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 11 things that cannot.htm

Withstand (22 Occurrences)
... (prep.) To stand against; to oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral force;
as, to withstand an attack of troops; to withstand eloquence or arguments. ...
/w/withstand.htm - 13k

Resist (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To stand against; to withstand; to obstruct.
2. (vt) To strive against; to endeavor to counteract ...
/r/resist.htm - 13k

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

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of
God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. (See NAS). ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Well-fenced (1 Occurrence)
... 11:15 And the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mound, and take the
well-fenced city; and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his ...
/w/well-fenced.htm - 6k

Firm (111 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (See NAS) ...
/f/firm.htm - 34k

Withstood (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Withstand. 2. (imp. & pp) o/ Withstand.
Multi-Version Concordance Withstood (7 Occurrences). ...
/w/withstood.htm - 8k

Worthless (103 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:8 Now in the same manner in which Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
thus these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, found worthless ...
/w/worthless.htm - 35k

Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... 11:15 So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most
fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his ...
/f/fenced.htm - 27k

Stand (542 Occurrences)
... 19. (vt) To endure; to sustain; to bear; as, I can not stand the cold or the heat.
20. (vt) To resist, without yielding or receding; to withstand. 21. ...
/s/stand.htm - 39k

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