The term "antagonistic" refers to opposition or hostility towards someone or something. In the context of the Bible, antagonism can be seen in various forms, including opposition to God's will, hostility between individuals, and enmity between nations. The Bible provides numerous examples of antagonistic behavior and its consequences, offering insights into the nature of conflict and the importance of reconciliation and peace.

Antagonism Towards God

One of the most significant forms of antagonism in the Bible is opposition to God and His commandments. This is often depicted as rebellion or disobedience. In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently displayed antagonistic behavior towards God by turning to idolatry and rejecting His laws. For instance, in the book of Exodus, the Israelites create a golden calf to worship while Moses is on Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:1-4). This act of defiance leads to severe consequences, highlighting the dangers of antagonism towards God.

The New Testament also addresses antagonism towards God, particularly through the rejection of Jesus Christ. In John 15:18-19 , Jesus warns His disciples about the world's hostility: "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." This passage underscores the spiritual conflict between the followers of Christ and the world, which is often antagonistic to the message of the Gospel.

Interpersonal Antagonism

The Bible also provides numerous examples of antagonism between individuals. One of the earliest instances is the account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Cain's jealousy and anger towards his brother Abel result in the first murder, illustrating how unchecked antagonism can lead to devastating outcomes. Genesis 4:8 states, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."

Another example is the conflict between Saul and David. King Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity lead to a prolonged period of hostility. Despite Saul's antagonism, David consistently chooses to act with integrity, refusing to harm Saul even when given the opportunity (1 Samuel 24:6). This narrative highlights the importance of responding to antagonism with righteousness and trust in God's justice.

National and Tribal Antagonism

The Bible also records instances of antagonism between nations and tribes. The Israelites often faced hostility from surrounding nations, such as the Philistines, Moabites, and Ammonites. These conflicts are frequently depicted in the historical books of the Old Testament, where God sometimes uses these antagonistic relationships to discipline His people or to demonstrate His power and faithfulness.

In the New Testament, the early church faced antagonism from both Jewish and Roman authorities. The apostles and early Christians were often persecuted for their faith, as seen in Acts 5:40-41 : "They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

Overcoming Antagonism

The Bible teaches that believers are called to overcome antagonism through love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount emphasize the importance of loving one's enemies and praying for those who persecute (Matthew 5:44). The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 12:17-21 , urging believers to "not repay anyone evil for evil" and to "overcome evil with good."

Ultimately, the Bible presents a vision of a future where all antagonism is resolved through the redemptive work of Christ. In Revelation 21:4 , it is promised that God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This hope encourages believers to strive for peace and reconciliation in their own lives, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.(a.) Alt. of Antagonistical.1727. enantios -- opposite, fig. hostile, opposed
... over against, contrary. From enanti; opposite; figuratively, antagonistic -- (over)
against, contrary. see GREEK enanti. (enantia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1727.htm - 7k

the Relation of Manich??ism to Buddhism.
... It is certain that parallels can be found in Buddhism for almost every feature
of Manich??ism that is sharply antagonistic to Zoroastrianism. ...
/.../chapter vi the relation.htm

He Refutes the Opinion of the Manich??ans as to Two Kinds of Minds ...
... Let them no more say, then, when they perceive two wills to be antagonistic to each
other in the same man, that the contest is between two opposing minds, of ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter x he refutes the opinion.htm

Plato; Threefold Classification of Principles; his Idea of God ...
... And he affirms that the virtues follow one another in turn, [117] and are uniform,
and are never antagonistic to each other; whereas that vices are multiform ...
/.../chapter xvi plato threefold classification of.htm

Eternity in the Heart
... machine, and yet fitting by their cogs into one another, there may be a resultant
direct motion produced even by these apparently antagonistic forces. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/eternity in the heart.htm

The Critical Reconstruction of the History of the Apostolic Age.
... It is here where the two schools depart, without difference of nationality; for
faith is not a national but an individual gift. The Two Antagonistic Schools. ...
/.../section 22 the critical reconstruction.htm

Benares as a Mission Sphere.
... has its points of contact, we may say of agreement, with Christianity; but in its
main features and tendencies it is intensely antagonistic, and this ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter viii benares as a.htm

More than Conquerors
... or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?' A
heterogeneous mass the Apostle here brigades together as an antagonistic army. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/more than conquerors.htm

The Lutheran and Reformed Confessions.
... Catholicism assumed from the beginning, and retains to this day, two distinct and
antagonistic types, the Greek and the Roman, which represent a Christian ...
/.../ 39 the lutheran and.htm

The People among whom we Labour.
... The opposite is the case, furnishing another illustration of the fact that no
religionists are so antagonistic to each other as those who most nearly ...
/.../chapter xxviii the people among.htm

Rhoda
... sort of work to do to-day, and there are institutions in full flourishing existence
in this and every other civilised community as entirely antagonistic to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rhoda.htm

Antagonistic (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Alt. of Antagonistical. Multi-Version
Concordance Antagonistic (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:17 For ...
/a/antagonistic.htm - 7k

Ant (1 Occurrence)

/a/ant.htm - 8k

Sadducees (14 Occurrences)
... From a Political Party, but also Became a Religious Party 5. Fear Roman Interference
if Jesus' Messianic Claims Are Recognized 6. Sadducees Antagonistic to the ...
/s/sadducees.htm - 31k

Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Earnest desire or longing. 11. (vi) To violate concord or agreement; to
have a difference; to fall out; to be or become antagonistic. 12. ...
/q/quarrel.htm - 15k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... nature are opposed to those of the Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed
to those of the lower nature; because these are antagonistic to each other ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Opposite (137 Occurrences)
... sex; the opposite extreme. 3. (a.) Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary;
repugnant; antagonistic. 4. (a.) Set over against ...
/o/opposite.htm - 37k

Opponent (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe. 2. (a.) Situated
in front; opposite; hence, opposing; adverse; antagonistic. ...
/o/opponent.htm - 10k

Lower (72 Occurrences)
... nature are opposed to those of the Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed
to those of the lower nature; because these are antagonistic to each other ...
/l/lower.htm - 30k

World (2829 Occurrences)
... then, in view of the fact of universal human failure, humanity in its sinful aspect,
the spirit and forces of fallen humanity regarded as antagonistic to God ...
/w/world.htm - 40k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... When an image became the object of worship or a means by which a false god was
worshipped, it became antagonistic to the First and Second Commandments ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

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