Lexical Summary antipiptó: To oppose, to resist, to fall against Original Word: ἀντιπίπτω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance resist. From anti and pipto (including its alternate); to oppose -- resist. see GREEK anti see GREEK pipto HELPS Word-studies 496 antipíptō (from 473 /antí, "opposite, against" and 4098 /píptō, "fall") – properly, fall against (contrary); actively (aggressively) resisting, like someone trying to crush an adversary in battle. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and piptó Definition to fall against, strive against NASB Translation resisting (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 496: ἀντιπίπτωἀντιπίπτω; a. to fall upon, run against (from Aristotle, down); b. to be adverse, oppose, strive against: τίνι, Acts 7:51. (Exodus 26:5; Exodus 36:12 Complutensian edition; Numbers 27:14; often in Polybius, Plutarch.) Strong’s Greek 496 expresses deliberate resistance—an active setting of oneself against another. It is not passive indifference but an intentional collision of wills. In Scripture it appears once, yet its solitary use carries rich theological weight because it addresses humanity’s posture toward the Holy Spirit. Biblical Occurrence: Acts 7:51 in Context Acts 7 records Stephen’s Spirit-inspired defense before the Sanhedrin. After tracing Israel’s history of covenant privilege, Stephen concludes: “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit—just as your fathers did, so also do you.” (Acts 7:51) Here the verb portrays Israel’s consistent pattern of opposition to God’s redemptive initiatives, culminating in their rejection of Jesus Christ. The word choice underscores that this is not ignorance but conscious rebellion. Old Testament Pattern of Resistance Stephen’s charge mirrors centuries of prophetic lament: Although the Septuagint employs other verbs, the idea is identical: a covenant people repeatedly set themselves against God’s voice. Theological Significance: Resisting the Holy Spirit 1. Personhood of the Spirit The act of resistance presupposes a personal being who can be opposed. Acts 7:51 assumes the Spirit’s will and activity are as real as the Father’s. 2. Continuity of Revelation Stephen affirms that the same Spirit who spoke through Moses and the prophets now testifies to Jesus. Resisting the Spirit in the apostolic era is tantamount to rejecting the cumulative revelation of Scripture. 3. Human Responsibility The charge “you always resist” exposes moral culpability. Divine sovereignty does not negate human accountability; those who oppose the Spirit do so willingly (Hebrews 3:7-19). 4. Progressive Hardening Persistent resistance leads to a stiff-necked condition—a metaphor for irreversible stubbornness. This progression warns present-day hearers not to presume upon repeated invitations of grace. Ministry Applications • Evangelism: Acts 7:51 reveals that unbelief may stem from willful opposition rather than lack of evidence. Gospel proclamation must confront moral rebellion, not merely intellectual doubt (John 3:19-20). Historical Interpretation in the Church Early fathers cited Acts 7:51 to illustrate Israel’s rejection of Christ and to warn against schism. Reformers employed the verse to defend the Spirit’s perspicuous testimony in Scripture against ecclesiastical tradition. Evangelical revivals have frequently invoked it to press listeners toward decisive surrender. Related Biblical Themes • Opposition to God’s Messengers: Matthew 23:37; 2 Timothy 4:3-4. Practical Reflection and Exhortation Acts 7 closes with Stephen’s martyrdom, yet the chapter opens the narrative path to Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-6). Even a hardened resister can be transformed when confronted by the risen Lord. Therefore: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15) The single occurrence of Strong’s 496 thus serves as a solemn summons: yield promptly and wholeheartedly to the Holy Spirit, lest resistance become ruin. |
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