Lexical Summary antophthalmeó: To face, to confront, to oppose Original Word: ἀντοφθαλμέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to look directly at, to faceFrom a compound of anti and ophthalmos; to face -- bear up into. see GREEK anti see GREEK ophthalmos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anti and ophthalmos Definition to look in the face, look straight at NASB Translation face (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 503: ἀντοφθαλμέωἀντοφθαλμέω, ἀντοφθάλμω; (ἀντοφθαλμος looking in the eye) 1. properly, to look against or straight at. 2. metaphorically, to bear up against, withstand: τῷ ἀνέμῳ, of a ship, (cf. our 'look the wind in the eye,' 'face' (R. V.) the wind): Acts 27:15. (Wis. 12:14; often in Polybius; in ecclesiastical writings.) In its lone New Testament appearance, ἀντοφθαλμεῖν occurs in Luke’s eyewitness account of Paul’s voyage to Rome: “Because the ship was caught and could not head into the wind, we gave way and were driven along” (Acts 27:15). The verb marks the precise moment when the crew concedes that human skill cannot “meet the wind face-to-face,” shifting from self-mastery to complete dependence on forces beyond their control. Historical and Nautical Background First-century Mediterranean grain ships relied on large square sails. When a violent northeaster (Euraquilo) struck, such vessels lost the ability to beat against the wind. Maritime manuals, papyri, and writers like Lucian confirm that sailors responded by lowering sail, lashing the rudders, and allowing the storm to carry them. Luke’s accurate use of ἀντοφθαλμεῖν has long been cited as evidence of his reliability as a historian and of the authenticity of Acts 27 as an eyewitness document. Theological Emphases 1. Human limitation. The crew’s inability mirrors Proverbs 16:9: “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Related Biblical Imagery • Mark 6:48 – Disciples “straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.” All resonate with the concept embodied in ἀντοφθαλμεῖν: forces before which human effort proves futile. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Discernment: know when to hold the helm and when to yield, trusting God’s overarching plan. Canonical Harmony Acts 27 joins a biblical pattern in which the sea symbolizes chaos restrained only by God (Genesis 1:2; Job 38:8-11; Revelation 21:1). The single use of ἀντοφθαλμεῖν enriches this motif by adding vivid nautical color: what humanity cannot face, the Creator commands. Summary Strong’s Greek 503 captures a decisive surrender to uncontrollable power, underscoring both the frailty of human strength and the certainty of divine purpose. When believers cannot “face the wind,” they are invited to rest in the sovereignty of the One who governs both storm and destination. |
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