ἀντιπίπτω (antipiptō)
antipiptō
to resist
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb antipiptō conveys the idea of opposing or resisting something by running against it. Its literal sense is to fall upon or collide with an object, but in Scripture it describes a spiritual confrontation where people actively strive against truth or divine authority.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 7:51. Stephen uses it to accuse the religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors resisted the prophets. The image is one of physical collision, highlighting the intensity and directness of their opposition.
Its components suggest a forceful encounter: anti- meaning "against" and piptō meaning "to fall." This combination creates a vivid picture of standing in opposition rather than passive disagreement. Translators typically render it as "resist," capturing the active nature of the conflict described in this single biblical occurrence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Stephen’s bold words in Acts 7:51 use a vivid image to describe resistance. The Greek word antipiptō suggests running against something or colliding with it. It is not passive disagreement but an active, forceful opposition. When Stephen tells the leaders they are resisting the Holy Spirit, he paints a picture of people standing directly in the path of God’s movement.
This word reminds us that faith requires openness to the Spirit’s leading. Resisting truth often feels like protecting our own ideas or traditions, but it actually blocks the grace we need. Instead of meeting God’s work with forceful opposition, we are invited to yield to His gentle guidance. This shift from collision to cooperation changes how we experience spiritual growth.
When we feel conviction or correction, it can be tempting to push back. Yet Stephen’s example shows that recognizing this resistance is the first step toward repentance. By softening our hearts against such forceful opposition, we make room for the Spirit to work freely in our lives and communities.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- resist,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀντιπίπτετε,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
Stephen uses this rare verb to describe the leaders' active, forceful opposition to the Holy Spirit's work through him.