In the context of the Bible, "oppositions" often refer to resistance or antagonism against God's will, His people, or His truth. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the spiritual and earthly conflicts faced by believers and the divine responses to such challenges.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, oppositions frequently arise against God's chosen people, Israel. The Egyptians, under Pharaoh, exemplify this as they resist Moses' call to let the Israelites go, leading to the plagues and the eventual Exodus (Exodus 5-12). This opposition is not merely against Israel but against God's sovereign plan.

The prophets also faced opposition as they delivered God's messages. Jeremiah, for instance, encountered significant resistance from his own people, who rejected his warnings and sought to harm him (Jeremiah 11:18-23). This opposition highlights the broader theme of resistance to God's word and the messengers He sends.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, oppositions are often seen in the context of the early church and the spread of the Gospel. Jesus Himself faced significant opposition from the religious leaders of His day, who challenged His authority and sought to undermine His ministry (Matthew 12:14, John 11:53).

The Apostle Paul frequently encountered opposition during his missionary journeys. In Acts 13:45, the Jews in Pisidian Antioch opposed Paul and Barnabas, contradicting their message and inciting persecution. Paul later writes to Timothy, warning him about "oppositions of science falsely so called" (1 Timothy 6:20, KJV), urging him to guard the truth against false knowledge and teachings.

Spiritual Warfare

Oppositions are not limited to human adversaries but also include spiritual forces. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the opposition believers face from demonic forces.

Responses to Opposition

The Bible provides guidance on how to respond to opposition. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, equipped with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17). Jesus teaches to love enemies and pray for those who persecute (Matthew 5:44), demonstrating a response of grace and truth.

In Acts 4:29-31, the early church responds to opposition with prayer, seeking boldness to continue speaking God's word. This reliance on divine strength and guidance is a recurring theme in how believers are to handle opposition.

Conclusion

Oppositions in the Bible serve as a reminder of the ongoing conflict between God's kingdom and the forces that resist it. Through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's power, believers are called to overcome these challenges, trusting in the ultimate victory secured through Christ.

The Pastoral Epistles
... More especially, it is said that 1 Timothy 6:20, which speaks of "oppositions of
gnosis falsely so called," refers to a work by Marcion called the "Oppositions ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvii the pastoral epistles.htm

Exposition of St. Paul's Words. --1 Tim. vi. 20.
... all heresies often have been, and will always have to be, decapitated, "O Timothy,
keep the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words and oppositions of the ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/exposition of st pauls words 1.htm

He Says, in Addition, that "All the Christians were of one Mind...
... Nay, the very exhortation to "avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions
of science falsely so called: which some professing, have erred concerning the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xi he says in.htm

Of the Beauty of the Universe, which Becomes, by God's Ordinance ...
... They might be called in Latin "oppositions," or, to speak more accurately,
"contrapositions;" but this word is not in common use among us, [488] though the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 18 of the beauty of.htm

Christ's Sermon on the Mount in Manner and Contents it So ...
... my servants shall be filled, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink,
but ye shall be thirsty." [3959] As for these oppositions, we shall see ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiv christs sermon on the.htm

1 Timothy vi. 13-16
... lessen it. Ver.20. "Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of
science falsely so called.". Well did he thus call it. For ...
/.../homily xviii 1 timothy vi.htm

Explanation of Ungenerate,' and a Study' of Eternity.
... The idea of a beginning and the idea of an end are opposed each to each; the meanings
of each differ as widely as the other diametric oppositions [233] , where ...
/.../section 42 explanation of ungenerate.htm

On the Wisdom of this World
... man spoil them through philosophy and vain deceit;" and in another place he advises
Timothy to "avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on the wisdom of this.htm

Radical Exposition.
... "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain
babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which some professing ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/ix radical exposition.htm

Of the Church in Its Likeness to a vine Sprouting and Suffering ...
... were occasioned in various localities, under the name of Christ, on the part of
men who sought not His glory but their own; whose oppositions, however, also ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 24 of the church in.htm

Oppositions (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Oppositions (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy,
guard that which is committed to you, turning away ...
/o/oppositions.htm - 6k

Opposition (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from
the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called ...
/o/opposition.htm - 13k

Deposit (19 Occurrences)
... context shows that this deposit is the Christian faith, "the pattern of sound words"
(2 Timothy 1:13), that which is contrasted with the "oppositions of the ...
/d/deposit.htm - 15k

Science (1 Occurrence)
... 20, "avoiding.... oppositions of science falsely so called," tes pseudonumou
gnoseos, "the falsely called gnosis"). "Science" is ...
/s/science.htm - 9k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... of Documents V. THE DOCTRINAL QUESTION 1. In the New Testament 2. Portrait of Jesus
in Synoptic Gospels 3. In Rest of the New Testament 4. Oppositions to the ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Oppresest (1 Occurrence)

/o/oppresest.htm - 6k

Godless (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from
the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called ...
/g/godless.htm - 16k

Ideas (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from
the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called ...
/i/ideas.htm - 8k

Falsely (72 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from
the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called ...
/f/falsely.htm - 29k

False-named (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain
babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, (DBY). ...
/f/false-named.htm - 6k

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