Bible Lexicons

Bullinger's Figures of Speech Used in the BibleBullinger's Figures of Speech

Antithesis; or Contrast

A setting of one Phrase in Contrast with another

An-tith´-e-sis. Greek, ἀντίθεσις, from ἀντί (anti), against, and θέσις (thesis), a setting, from τιθέναι (tithenai), to set or place.

It is a figure by which two thoughts, ideas, or phrases, are set over one against the other, in order to make the contrast more striking, and thus to emphasize it.* [Note: When this consists of words rather than of sentences, it is called Epanodos, and Antimetabole (q.v.).]

The two parts so placed are hence called in Greek antitheta, and in Latin opposita and contraposita. For example:

"When our vices leave us, we flatter ourselves we leave them."

"Curved is the line of beauty,

Straight is the line of duty."

"The prodigal robs his heir, the miser robs himself."

"God demands man’s homage; man offers Him his patronage."† [Note: Dr. Robert Anderson in The Silence of God.]

Man often misuses this figure, for the mere fancy of balancing sentences; and thus often falsely exaggerates a contrast which lies more in the words than in the thoughts. When this is the case it is called Antimetabole, Parison, Annominatio, etc. (q.v. [Note: Which see.] ).

It is called also CONTENTIO: i.e., comparison, or contrast.

When this contrast is made by affirmatives and negatives, it is called Enantiosis, see below.

The Book of Proverbs so abounds in such Antitheses that we have not given any examples from it.

Isaiah 1:21.-Of Jerusalem it is said "Righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers [lodge in it].

Isaiah 59:9.-

"We wait for the light, but behold obscurity;

For brightness, but we walk in darkness."

Isaiah 65:13-14.-Where we have many beautiful Antitheses. See also under Symploce.

Lamentations 1:1.-"How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people!"

Luke 2:14.-"Glory in the highest to God, and on earth peace." And then, after these two Antitheta, a third fact is stated as resulting from them when coming together:-"Good will toward men."* [Note: Is it not clear that εὐδοκία (eudokia) refers to Divine complacency, and that we find the explanation in the εὐδόκμσα (eudokeesa) of ; ; . . . ? With these, contrast God’s side (; ; ); and on man’s side (2 Theas. 2:12. How scholars can tolerate the Revisers’ reading εὐδοκίας (eudokias) is a marvel. Can a parellel be produced?]

See under Ellipsis.

Romans 5:18.-"Therefore as through one offence judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so too, through the righteous act (δικαίωμα, not δικαιοσύνη) of one, the free gift came upon all men unto a justifying (δικαίωσις, spoken only of God’s activity in justifying us) of life" (or, a life-long justifying).† [Note: See articles on Romans in Things to Come, Vol. V.]

Romans 5:19.-"For as by one man’s disobedient act many were made sinners, so by the obedient act of one (i.e., His death) shall many be made righteous."

See also Paronomasia and Paregmenon.

Romans 6:7-8.-"For he that died, has been justified from sin. Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall live also with him."

Romans 8:5.-"For they that are (or live) after (or according to) flesh (the Old nature) do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are (or live) after (according to) spirit (the New nature) [do mind] the things of the spirit": i.e., the things that belong to the New nature. See under Metonymy.

Romans 8:13.-"For if ye live according to flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through spirit (the New nature) do mortify the deeds of the body (i.e., by reckoning that it died with Christ, Romans 6:11), ye will live."

Romans 15:12.-"There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise [and raise His banner] to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust." The reference is to Isaiah 11:10 : where בֵם (neys), a banner, which is raised aloft, is put in contrast with the "root" which is the lowest point. So Messiah rises from the lowest to the highest.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 contains several beautiful Antitheses.

2 Corinthians 6:8-10 contains a series of beautiful Antitheses.

In 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 -, we have a seven-fold passive experience:-

patience,

afflictions,

necessities,

distresses,

stripes,

imprisonments,

tumults

In 2 Corinthians 6:5-6 -, we have a seven-fold self-denial:-

labours,

watchings,

fastings,

pureness,

knowledge,

longsuffering.

kindness.

In 2 Corinthians 6:6; 2 Corinthians 6:8 -, we have a seven-fold means to endure:-

the Holy Ghost,

love unfeigned,

the word of truth,

the power of God,

the armour of righteousness,

honour and dishonour,

evil report and good report.

In 2 Corinthians 6:8-10, we have a seven-fold result in the following Antitheses:-

deceivers, and yet true;

unknown, yet well-known;

dying, yet living;

chastened, yet not killed;

sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;

poor, yet enriching others;

having nothing, yet possessing all things.

Philippians 3:7.-"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

Note that, by Antithesis, our attention is called to the fact that Paul is here speaking, by the Spirit, of his "gains," not of his sins. Of his gains, as a man and an Israelite; which included the hope of resurrection as well as righteousness, of course: but he was willing to give them all up for that righteousness which he had in Christ, and for that "out-rising from among the dead," which he should have at Christ’s appearing.

He does not, in verse 11, speak of something which he could attain to as a Christian more than other Christians; but he is contrasting his "gains," as a Jew, and putting them in Antithesis with his greater gains as a Christian.

2 Peter 2:19.-"While they promise them (i.e. their dupes) liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption."