Definition:
The term "gainsay" is derived from the Old English "geansecgan," meaning to contradict or oppose. In biblical contexts, it refers to the act of speaking against, denying, or disputing a statement or truth. Gainsaying often implies a resistance to authority or truth, particularly in matters of faith and doctrine.

Biblical Usage:
The concept of gainsaying is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, where it is often associated with opposition to divine truth or the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. It is typically portrayed in a negative light, as it involves resisting or contradicting the truth of God's word.

Key Scriptures:

1. Luke 21:15 :
"For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or gainsay."
In this passage, Jesus assures His disciples that they will be endowed with divine wisdom and eloquence, enabling them to withstand opposition and refute those who challenge their testimony.

2. Titus 1:9 :
"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."
Here, the apostle Paul instructs Titus on the qualifications of church leaders, emphasizing the importance of adhering to sound doctrine and being able to refute gainsayers—those who contradict or challenge the truth of the Gospel.

3. Acts 13:45 :
"But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him."
This verse illustrates the gainsaying of the Jewish leaders who opposed Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Their contradiction was motivated by jealousy and a refusal to accept the message of Christ.

Theological Implications:
Gainsaying is often seen as a manifestation of unbelief or rebellion against God. It reflects a heart that is resistant to the truth and unwilling to submit to divine authority. In the New Testament, gainsayers are frequently those who reject the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, thereby opposing the spread of the Gospel.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to be prepared to defend their faith against gainsayers by being well-versed in Scripture and sound doctrine. This involves not only knowing the truth but also living it out in a way that exemplifies the teachings of Christ. Christians are called to engage with gainsayers with wisdom, patience, and love, seeking to correct and guide them towards the truth.

Historical Context:
In the early church, gainsaying was a significant challenge as the apostles and early Christians faced opposition from both Jewish and Gentile communities. This resistance often stemmed from a refusal to accept the radical message of the Gospel, which called for repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the reality of gainsaying, it also provides assurance that God's truth will ultimately prevail. Believers are equipped with the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of Scripture to stand firm against opposition and to proclaim the Gospel with confidence and clarity.(v. t.) To contradict; to deny; to controvert; to dispute; to forbid.GAINSAY

gan-sa, gan'-sa (anteipon, antilego, "to say or speak against"): Occurs as anteipon, "not. able to withstand or to gainsay" (Luke 21:15); as antilego, "a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Romans 10:21); APC 2Esdras 5:29, contradicebant; APC Judith 8:28, anthistemi; APC Judith 12:14, antero; Additions to Esther 9:13, antitasso; APC 1Macc 14:44, anteipon.

Gainsayer, antilego (Titus 1:9, "exhort and convince (the Revised Version (British and American) "convict") the gainsayers").

Gainsaying, antilogia (Jude 1:11, "the gain-saying of Korah"); antilogia is Septuagint for meribhah (Numbers 20:13); anantirrhetos, "without contradiction" (Acts 10:29, "without gainsaying").

The Revised Version (British and American) has "gainsaid" for "spoken against" (Acts 19:36); "not gainsaying" for "not answering again" (Titus 2:9); "gainsaying" for "contradiction" Hebrews 12:3).

W. L. Walker

471. anteipon -- to speak against
... 471 (from 473 , "opposite to, against" and 2036 , "say") -- properly, to gainsay
(speak what is opposite); to give an , reply that (rebuts). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/471.htm - 7k

483. antilego -- to speak against, hence to contradict, oppose
... contradict, deny, speak against. From anti and lego; to dispute, refuse -- answer
again, contradict, deny, gainsay(-er), speak against. see GREEK anti. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/483.htm - 8k

Then Manes, after Silence had Been Secured among All...
... Manes said: If you do not mean a second time merely to gainsay the positions
which are stated with all due correctness by me, I shall begin. ...
/.../47 then manes after silence.htm

Chapter xviii.
... however, seem to be one and the same: but there is this difference, that the meek
man, of whom we have spoken above, from piety does not gainsay the divine ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xviii.htm

Which are the Better, the Continent, or those who Delight in ...
... But lest in any wise I hinder you, if I gainsay your words, it is that I may the
better learn, and that no one hereafter may refute me. Gregorion. ...
/.../chapter iii which are the better.htm

Whether those who are Subject to Another's Power are Hindered from ...
... when a man who is under another's power vows that which is in that other's power,
except under the condition that he whose power it concerns does not gainsay it ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether those who are subject.htm

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
... Reply to Objection 2: Those who preached Christ "out of contention," were to be
blamed, because, although they did not gainsay the truth of faith, but preached ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether contention is a mortal.htm

HymnConcerning Our Lord and John
... 14. "Thou fearest; therefore gainsay not"against My Will in ... 36. "It is very right
that thou shouldst baptize Me,"as I bid, and shouldst not gainsay."Lo! ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xiv hymn concerning our.htm

Matt. xxvi. 26-28.
... For since he neither submitted to Him nor the prophet (and yet for this intent He
brought in the prophet besides, that they may not gainsay), but nevertheless ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxii matt xxvi 26-28.htm

Dedication
... Can you think that holy wisdom will gainsay it? Will zeal for God; will delight
in his service, or love to the souls of men, gainsay it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/dedication.htm

Inspiration and the Canon
... hearts not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth
and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter vii inspiration and the.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 17
... For although you may now gainsay for contradiction's sake, yet things which are
plainly allowed on all hands, however shameless, you will not be able to gainsay ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiv 1 cor iv.htm

Gainsay (1 Occurrence)
...GAINSAY. gan-sa, gan'-sa (anteipon, antilego, "to say or speak against"): Occurs
as anteipon, "not. ... Multi-Version Concordance Gainsay (1 Occurrence). ...
/g/gainsay.htm - 8k

Contradict (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To assert the contrary of; to oppose in words; to take issue with; to gainsay;
to deny the truth of, as of a statement or a speaker; to impugn. ...
/c/contradict.htm - 7k

Gainsaid (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Gainsay. Multi-Version Concordance
Gainsaid (1 Occurrence). Acts 19:36 Seeing then that ...
/g/gainsaid.htm - 6k

Gainsayers (1 Occurrence)

/g/gainsayers.htm - 6k

Resist (23 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall
not be able to gainsay nor resist. (KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/r/resist.htm - 13k

Reclaim (1 Occurrence)
... of life; to reform. 7. (vt) To correct; to reform; -- said of things. 8.
(vt) To exclaim against; to gainsay. 9. (vi) To cry out ...
/r/reclaim.htm - 8k

Deny (48 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To declare not to be true; to gainsay;
to contradict; -- opposed to affirm, allow, or admit. 2 ...
/d/deny.htm - 23k

Gainsaying (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gainsay. Multi-Version
Concordance Gainsaying (6 Occurrences). Acts 10:29 Therefore ...
/g/gainsaying.htm - 8k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... Three words mark their course, rising into a climax, "way" "error" "gainsay." They
went in the way of Cain, ie in the way of self-will, of hate, and the spirit ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Gainsay: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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