ἀντίθεσις (antithesis)
antithesis
opposition
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun antithesis denotes a stance of active opposition or contradiction. Derived from roots meaning "against" and "to place," it literally describes something set in opposition to another. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in the first letter to Timothy (6:20), where it carries a specific theological weight.
Paul uses the word to describe the false teachings circulating in Ephesus. He instructs Timothy to avoid "profane and vain babblings" and the "antithesis" of what is falsely called knowledge. Here, the term does not refer to a literary device or a simple disagreement, but to a doctrinal counter-position that stands against the truth of God.
Translators typically render this as "oppositions" or "contradictions," highlighting the adversarial nature of these false teachings. The word underscores that such errors are not merely mistaken ideas, but deliberate counter-claims that oppose the apostolic message. This usage reminds readers that spiritual truth often faces direct and organized resistance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word antithesis describes a stance of active opposition. In first Timothy 6:20, Paul warns Timothy about false teachings that stand directly against God's truth. These are not simple mistakes or harmless differences in opinion. They are deliberate counter-claims designed to lead people away from the gospel.
When you encounter conflicting ideas today, it helps to remember this warning. Truth often faces organized resistance. The Christian life calls us to guard what we have been given, staying grounded in Scripture rather than chasing after empty chatter or confusing arguments that claim to be knowledge but are not.
This reminder brings peace. You do not need to fight every argument or prove yourself against every opposing view. Instead, focus on holding fast to the truth you already know. Let your faith be rooted in what is real and lasting, finding rest in the clarity of God's word rather than the noise of confusion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- opposing arguments1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀντιθέσεις1×
Key Verses
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I Timothy 6:20
Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,
This verse uniquely uses antithesis to describe false teachings that actively oppose apostolic truth, warning believers to avoid such doctrinal counter-positions.