When is "anti" a good thing?

In English the word “anti” used as a preposition, means “against”, or “opposed to”. This is the way the Merriam-Webster dictionary actually lists the definition. For example, if someone said they were anti-running, you would think they were against, or opposed to running.

There actually is a Greek preposition used in the New Testament writings that is pronounced and looks like our word “anti”. (If this blog shows Greek font, here is what it looks like avvvvvnti, )

What does “anti” mean in the Bible?

As I was researching another topic this morning, I was led to read John 1:16.  In very short verse that follows a lot of deep Theology, it simply says, 

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

The last three words in the sentence are “grace for grace” in the King James Version. In the New American Standard Version, those words are interpreted as “grace upon grace”. I am not a brilliant Greek Scholar, but from what I have learned, both of these interpretations are legitimate; however, in today's use of the English language, to me, they do not seem to convey what is really being said.

In the Greek language, this phrase is

ca,rin avvvvvv,nti. ca,ritoj (Visible, if the blog, or your browser, allows)

The first and last words in this phrase are pronounced “charin” and “charitos”. Both of these words mean “Grace”. In short, we all have heard the definition of Grace many times as “unmerited favor”, so I will not dwell on that.

The difference in the spelling of the word ( ca,rij ) is due to the use, or function in the sentence. The first “grace” is used in the accusative case. The second use of the “grace” is in the genitive case. Both have the same meaning, “Grace”.

Example of “anti” in the negative sense

The word “anti” in Greek is a preposition that means “instead of”, or “in the place of”. There is a compound word, with which we are familiar, that uses this preposition -- “antichrist”, or in Greek, a'nti,cristoj.. We usually think of this as being “against Christ”; however, that word is actually best translated as “instead of Christ”, or “in the place of Christ”.

The Apostle John is the only one who uses that word and in the context, he is warning his readers about the “deceivers” . There is a subtlety when you think about “in the place of Christ”, instead of the way we might think of it in our language “against Christ”. It is much easier to spot something, or someone that is opposed to the truth; however, it is much more difficult when that thing is “in the place of” the truth. This is why John was telling his readers to test the spirits, whether they be of God. He also explains to measure the antichrist(s) against the doctrine, or teachings of Christ (2 John 1:7). If the person is teaching ideas that are contrary to the doctrine of Jesus, then that person is described as a “deceiver” and an “antichrist”. Another way to think of it is he is deceiving people, by putting his teachings in the place of Christ's teachings. They might sound good and truthful, but they are not Christ's teachings. See the subtlety?

This opens up a whole different topic, so I'll digress and try to stay focused on the reason for bringing this up. In Greek, the preposition “anti” means “instead of”, or “in the place of”.

But when is “anti” good?

So, back to our original phrase. ca,rin avvvvvv,nti. ca,ritoj Given what we now know, this phrase is best translated as “grace in the place of grace”. The idea is that we have been given grace by God in a constant flow. Let's look at something Paul said, that is often taken out of context, or at least in partial context.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:11-13)

Verse 13 is often quoted when someone feels like they need a boost to accomplish something; however, notice the context of this statement. Paul just described his contentment in a variety of circumstances: humble means and prosperity, full and hungry, abundance and suffering. It is in all of these different circumstances, good and bad, that Paul says he has learned to be content. Why? Because he can go through all of those things, because of the strength provided by Christ. I believe this is the idea of Grace. Before you shut me down as having a baseless opinion, hear me out! 

Remember when he wrote that he prayed to God three times to remove a “thorn in his flesh”? We're not going to speculate on what that was, at this point, but God did not remove the problem that Paul was asking about. Instead, look at what Paul said was God's reply:

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

(2 Cor. 12:9)

[BRIEF ASIDE:   I contend that this is still grace, but it is a different grace than Paul mentioned in Galatians 1:15, regarding his salvation.
A second point, you might ask, “Why would we need grace, if times are good?” 
 My original topic that spawned this “brief” blog is “What Does Grace Do?” I'm still working on that, but it rounds out, or provides a framework for this blog.]

I'll stop there, but take a look at this video:

Notice how the water in the river keeps flowing? All analogies are flawed, but bear with me. Think of the water as God's grace. If you were standing in the middle of the water, you will be wet. At different times, various objects might float by you. If you had a friend with you, he or she could be upstream and float items you needed as the day went on. What if you got hungry? How about having your friend float a sandwich by? What if your head started to sunburn? How about having you friend float a cap to you?

The idea behind the “grace in the place of grace” is that a believer, standing in the middle of God's grace, will always be “wet”, if you will. This is evidence of God's saving grace. We are always bathed in His grace; however, at different times during our journey on this earth, we have different needs. Just as Paul had times of being filled and being hungry, we will go through times like that. During both good and bad times, God provides His grace, for our needs. As we are in the river of His Grace, in addition to salvation, He provides what we need, in a constant flow from Him to His followers. His grace is the source of our spiritual (and physical) life in Him. His grace is constantly flowing to we who believe that He is the Christ.

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, (Revelation 22:1)

Thank God for His constant-flowing Grace!

Rodney Skyles