The term "contrariwise" is an adverb used in the Bible to indicate an opposite or contrasting action, thought, or condition. It is derived from the Latin "contrarius," meaning "opposite." In the context of Scripture, "contrariwise" often highlights a reversal or contrast in behavior, attitude, or divine principle.

Biblical Usage

1. 1 Peter 3:9 : "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." Here, the concept of "contrariwise" is implicit in the instruction to respond to evil not with retaliation but with blessing. This teaching underscores the Christian ethic of responding to wrongdoing with grace and kindness, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.

2. 2 Corinthians 2:7 : "So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow." In this passage, the Apostle Paul advises the Corinthian church to act "contrariwise" to the natural inclination of holding a grudge or meting out excessive punishment. Instead, they are encouraged to forgive and comfort, demonstrating the redemptive love that is central to Christian community life.

3. Galatians 2:7 : "On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised." The use of "contrariwise" here highlights the distinct yet complementary missions of Paul and Peter. While their audiences differed, their unified purpose in spreading the Gospel illustrates the diverse yet harmonious nature of the early Church's mission.

Theological Implications

The use of "contrariwise" in Scripture often serves to emphasize the countercultural nature of Christian teachings. It calls believers to live in a manner that contrasts with worldly values, embodying principles such as forgiveness, love, and humility. This reversal of expected behavior is a testament to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the concept of "contrariwise" challenges Christians to examine their responses to life's challenges and interactions with others. It encourages a mindset that seeks to reflect Christ's love and grace, even in situations where the natural response might be one of anger, revenge, or bitterness. By living "contrariwise," believers bear witness to the power of the Gospel to change hearts and minds, offering a compelling testimony to the world.1. (adv.) On the contrary; oppositely; on the other hand.

2. (adv.) In a contrary order; conversely.

235. alla -- otherwise, on the other hand, but
... Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, ie (adverbially) contrariwise (in
many relations) -- and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/235.htm - 7k

5121. tounantion -- on the contrary
... on the contrary. Contraction for the neuter of ho and enantion; on the contrary --
contrariwise. see GREEK ho. see GREEK enantion. (tounantion) -- 3 Occurrences ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5121.htm - 7k

That all Bodily Thing is Subject unto Ghostly Thing, and is Ruled ...
... BEGINNETH THE ONE AND SIXTIETH CHAPTER That all bodily thing is subject unto ghostly
thing, and is ruled thereafter by the course of nature and not contrariwise ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 5.htm

How those are to be Admonished who do Bad Things Secretly and Good ...
... XXXV. How those are to be admonished who do bad things secretly and good
things openly, and those who do contrariwise. (Admonition ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxv how those are.htm

On that which is Written in the Gospel, Matt. v. 16, "Even So Let ...
... v. 16, "Even so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven:" and contrariwise, Chap. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon iv on that which.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... Ver.7. "But contrariwise.". Some hold his meaning to be, not only that the Apostles
did not instruct him, but that they were instructed by him. ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm

Letter cxxiv. To Avitus.
... hypothesis of mine a vessel made to honour which fails to fulfil its object will
in another world become a vessel made to dishonour; and contrariwise a vessel ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiv to avitus.htm

The Law Anterior to Moses.
... Adam himself and Eve a law, that they were not to eat of the fruit of the tree planted
in the midst of paradise; but that, if they did contrariwise, by death ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ii the law anterior to.htm

July 1559. John Knox's Declaration to Queen Elizabeth.
... Whane contrariwise a prowd conceat, and eleuation of your self shalbe the occasion
that your reing shalbe vnstabill, trublesum and schort. ...
/.../knox/the first blast of the trumpet/20 july 1559 john knoxs.htm

And, this Being So, Hear Also Just So Many Conditions and ...
... not profitably understood by some one: or both take place unprofitably: or the reader
understands profitably, whereas he, who is read, hath written contrariwise ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 11 and this being.htm

Examples from among the Heathen, as Well as from the Church, to ...
... to have desired, without any external solicitation, marriage with a king, did yet,
for fear of experiencing a second union, prefer, contrariwise, to "burn ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter xiii examples from among the.htm

The Third Word from the Cross
... dazzle us, it is never long before there ensues some incident which reminds us that
He is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh; and, contrariwise, when He ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xvi the third word.htm

Contrariwise (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) On the contrary; oppositely; on the other hand. 2. (adv.) In a contrary
order; conversely. Multi-Version Concordance Contrariwise (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/contrariwise.htm - 7k

Overmuch (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort
him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. ...
/o/overmuch.htm - 11k

Intrusted (5 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Galatians 2:7 but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with
the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with 'the gospel' of the ...
/i/intrusted.htm - 7k

Thereunto (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a ...
/t/thereunto.htm - 9k

Railing (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a ...
/r/railing.htm - 10k

Patrimony (1 Occurrence)
... being inherited from Yahweh (Psalm 105:11); salvation because of its origin in grace
was the believer's patrimony (Galatians 3:26-4:7). Contrariwise Israel was ...
/p/patrimony.htm - 9k

Contradictions (1 Occurrence)

/c/contradictions.htm - 6k

Hereunto (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a ...
/h/hereunto.htm - 8k

Committed (201 Occurrences)
... Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision
was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter ...
/c/committed.htm - 39k

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort
him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. ...
/p/perhaps.htm - 34k

Contrariwise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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