[B-Greek] ANQISTHMI
AJBIRCH
AJBIRCH at terra.es
Fri Mar 4 02:59:58 EST 2005
Ron Geib wrote:
"I am studying Matthew 5:39. [EGW DE LEGW hUMIN MH ANTISTHNAI TWi PONHRWi] In particular, I am trying to determine the acceptable range of meaning for the verb ANQISTHMI. I have of course consulted BDAG, Low-Neida, etc. I have also read 'The Sermon on the Mount' by Hans Deiter Betz and 'Matthew 1-7' by Ulrich Luz. Luz asserts the general meaning, 'to resist, oppose, stand against', for the verb. Betz interprets the context to be a court scene, and therefore argues for a more legal meaning, along the lines of 'to retaliate'. Whether one tranlsates the phrase as 'do not resist an evil person' or 'do not seek retaliation toward an evil person' makes a significant difference in the meaning of the passage. Can anyone point me to any other works that might help me with further clarification of the use of this particular verb?"
A quick look at the 14 times the verb is used in the Greek New Testament (Matthew 5:39; Luke 21:15; Acts 6:10; Acts 13:8; Romans 9:19; Romans 13:2 (twice); Galatians 2:11; Ephesians 6:13; 2 Timothy 3:8 (twice); 2 Timothy 4:15; James 4:7; and 1 Peter 5:9) seems to reinforce the standard meanings: 'stand against', 'withstand', 'take a stand against', 'resist', 'oppose', etc. It isn't difficult to see military connotations in (some of) these cases, but I'm not sure about legal connotations. What about outside the New Testament?
Andrew J. Birch
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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