Strong's Greek: 471. ἀντέπω (anteipon) -- To speak against, to oppose, to contradict

◄ 471. anteipon ►

Lexical Summary

anteipon: To speak against, to oppose, to contradict

Original Word: ἀντείπον
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: anteipon
Pronunciation: an-TAY-pon
Phonetic Spelling: (an-tep'-o)
KJV: gainsay, say against
NASB: refute, say in reply
Word Origin: [from G473 (ἀντί - instead) and G2036 (ἔπω - said)]

1. (properly) to speak against
2. (concretely) to refute or deny

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

oppose, refute

From anti and epo; to refute or deny -- gainsay, say against.

see GREEK anti

see GREEK epo

HELPS Word-studies

471 antépō (from 473 /antí, "opposite to, against" and 2036 /épō, "say") – properly, to gainsay (speak what is opposite); to give an adequate, corresponding reply that successfully contradicts (rebuts).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from anti and eipon
Definition
to speak against
NASB Translation
refute (1), say in reply (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 471: ἀντεῖπον

ἀντεῖπον, a 2 aorist used instead of the verb ἀντιλέγειν, to speak against, gainsay; (from Aeschylus down): Luke 21:15; Acts 4:14. Cf. εἶπον.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

ἀντείπον denotes deliberate verbal resistance—speaking in direct opposition to a statement, messenger, or mandate. Scripture treats such contradiction as an expression of the heart, revealing either righteous courage (when truth is defended) or sinful rebellion (when God or His servants are opposed).

The Old Testament Pattern of Verbal Resistance

From the Garden forward, the act of contradicting God’s revealed will surfaces repeatedly. The serpent’s “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1) introduced the first overt ἀντείπον-type moment. Later, Israel “murmured against Moses” (Exodus 16:2) and “contended with the LORD” (Numbers 20:13), portraying contradiction as unbelief. Prophets such as Jeremiah faced the same spirit: “The priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, ‘This man deserves death’” (Jeremiah 26:11). Each instance reminds readers that resisting God-given revelation is never a neutral act; it attacks covenant faithfulness itself.

Contradiction in the Life and Teaching of Jesus

Jesus encountered continual verbal opposition. The leaders “were filled with rage and discussed together what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:11), and crowds “grumbled about Him because He said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven’” (John 6:41). Yet the Lord never adjusted truth to silence dissent. Instead, He answered contradiction with Scripture (“Have you not read…?” Matthew 12:3) and with Spirit-empowered authority that exposed hearts (John 8:45–47). His steadfastness provides the model for handling ἀντείπον in gospel ministry.

Apostolic Encounters with Opposition

Although ἀντείπον itself does not appear in the Greek New Testament, its near synonym ἀντιλέγω frames apostolic experience. Paul’s team entered synagogue after synagogue only to meet those who “contradicted and blasphemed” (Acts 13:45). In Corinth, the missionary resolved to “shake out his clothes” when certain Jews “opposed and reviled him” (Acts 18:6). These confrontations showcase two realities: (1) the gospel inevitably provokes verbal resistance, and (2) God’s servants must respond with both reasoned defense and steadfast proclamation (2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Peter 3:15).

Rightful Versus Sinful Contradiction

Scripture distinguishes godly dissent from ungodly opposition.
• Godly: Nathan’s rebuke of David (2 Samuel 12:7), Paul’s public confrontation of Peter (Galatians 2:11), or believers who “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3).
• Ungodly: Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16:3), the false prophets who “contradict the truth” (Titus 1:9), and those in the last days who will “scoff, following after their own desires” (2 Peter 3:3). The difference lies in whether the contradiction aligns with God’s Word or resists it.

Theological Significance

1. Revelation and Authority: Persistent contradiction highlights humanity’s innate resistance to divine sovereignty. Yet God’s Word stands unassailable (Isaiah 40:8).
2. Providence: Opposition becomes a stage on which God magnifies His power; Pharaoh’s defiance multiplies divine signs, and Saul’s persecution fuels church expansion.
3. Christology: Jesus as the Logos is the definitive answer to every ἀντείπον. All resistance ultimately meets its end in Him (Philippians 2:10–11).

Pastoral and Missional Implications

• Expect resistance. Faithful preaching will be contradicted (2 Timothy 4:3–5).
• Respond biblically—patiently instruct, gently correct, boldly warn (2 Timothy 2:24–26).
• Guard personal humility. Those who refute error must avoid the pride that often accompanies being “right.”
• Train the flock. Equip believers to recognize and answer contradiction with sound doctrine (Ephesians 4:14–15).
• Pray for opponents. Many who once spoke against the truth, like Saul of Tarsus, can become its mightiest advocates (Acts 9:1–22).

Contemporary Application

Modern culture multiplies forums for contradiction—digital platforms, academic settings, and public policy debates. The Church must not retreat. Rather, grounded in Scripture, believers are called to speak the truth in love, exposing error while extending the grace that can transform even the most vocal opponent.

Summary

ἀντείπον captures a timeless contest: the spoken clash between truth and error, submission and rebellion. Scripture traces this thread from Eden to the early Church, revealing God’s unwavering commitment to uphold His Word. For today’s believer, understanding and rightly engaging verbal opposition remains integral to faithful witness and spiritual maturity.

Forms and Transliterations

αντείπαν αντείπε αντειπείν αντείπη αντειπών αντερείν αντερούμεν

Links

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