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In the context of the Bible, the term "opponent" generally refers to individuals or groups who stand in opposition to God's people, His purposes, or His truth. Throughout Scripture, opponents can be both human and spiritual entities, and they often serve as instruments through which God's people are tested, refined, or called to demonstrate faithfulness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, opponents often come in the form of foreign nations or individuals who oppose Israel, God's chosen people. For example, the Philistines are recurrent adversaries of Israel, as seen in the account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The Philistines' opposition to Israel is not merely political but also spiritual, as they worship false gods and challenge the sovereignty of Yahweh.

Another significant opponent is Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, who resists Moses' demand to let the Israelites go free. This opposition sets the stage for the ten plagues and the eventual Exodus, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people (Exodus 7-12).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, opponents often arise in the form of religious leaders, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees, who challenge Jesus' authority and teachings. These groups are depicted as being more concerned with maintaining their own power and traditions than with understanding the true nature of God's kingdom. Jesus addresses their opposition directly, as seen inMatthew 23, where He pronounces woes upon the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness.

The Apostle Paul also faced numerous opponents throughout his ministry. In2 Corinthians 11:24-26 , Paul recounts the various hardships he endured, including being beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked, often at the hands of those who opposed his message of the Gospel. Despite these challenges, Paul remained steadfast, viewing his opponents as opportunities to demonstrate the power of Christ in his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Spiritual Opposition

Beyond human adversaries, the Bible also speaks of spiritual opponents. Chief among these is Satan, who is described as the "accuser" and the "adversary" (1 Peter 5:8). Satan's opposition is evident from the temptation of Adam and Eve inGenesis 3 to the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Believers are called to resist the devil and stand firm in their faith, equipped with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Response to Opponents

The biblical response to opponents is multifaceted. Believers are encouraged to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). At the same time, they are called to stand firm in the truth and contend for the faith (Jude 1:3). The ultimate victory over all opponents, both human and spiritual, is assured through Jesus Christ, who has overcome the world (John 16:33) and will one day put all enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).7453. rea -- friend, companion, fellow
... friends (18), husband (1), kind (1), lover (1), lovers (1), mate (1), neighbor
(64), neighbor's (23), neighbors (3), neighbors' (1),opponent (1),opponent's (...

The Truth, that God Made all Things from Nothing, Rescued from the...
... Chapter XV."The Truth, that God Made All Things from Nothing, Rescued from
theOpponent's Flounderings. Now, if good was neither...

The Exordium or Introduction
... It may happen sometimes, too, that the judge is our enemy, or theopponent's friend....
If nothing occurs to help us out, let us see what may hurt theopponent....

Against Hermogenes
... Chapter XIV.--Tertullian Pushes HisOpponent into a Dilemma.... Chapter XXVII.--Some
Hair-Splitting Use of Words in Which HisOpponent Had Indulged....

The Narration
... be a narration, and even somewhat long, concerning the probable causes of innocence
in the accused, as his former integrity of life, theopponent's motives for...

Book v. Our Reply, in the Previous Books, to the Mad and...
... opposition is branded as a departure from the true Gospel faith, which states in
precise terms the unity of God, or else they cast in theopponent's teeth that...

Christ's Human Nature the Flesh and the Soul Both Fully and...
... [7126] Test??: a pitcher, perhaps. [7127] Generis. [7128] Tertullian quotes his
opponent's opinion here. [7129] Silicet: in reference to the alleged doctrine....

In the Dead who were Raised by Christ we Possess the Highest Proof...
... as those who are not practised in wrestling, when they contend with others, laying
hold with a determined grasp of some part of [theiropponent's] body, really...

Letter I.
... have practised that restraint in feeling which the saint has taught us; but I had
fears lest from what we have now written against thisopponent the reader...

Epistle xviii. Reply of St. Ambrose to the Memorial of Symmachus.....
... He replies to hisopponent's personification of Rome in a singularly telling manner,
and proves that the famine spoken of by Symmachus had nothing to do with...

Book ii.
... He vindicates the Catholic doctrine of original sin from hisopponent's cavils and
subtleties, and particularly shows how diverse it is from the infamous...

Opponent's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceOpponent's (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 2:16 They caught
everyone his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword...

Opponents (11 Occurrences)

Opportune (4 Occurrences)

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