The concept of Enemy in Christianity
Synonyms: Foe, Adversary, Opponent, Antagonist, Nemesis, Competitor, Combatant, Challenger.
In Dutch: Vijand; In Finnish: Vihollinen; In Spanish: Enemigo; In German: Feind; In Malay: Musuh; In Swedish: Fiende; In French: Ennemi
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Enemy'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This is an adversary of Christ who is seen as not having the power of washing, purifying, and sanctifying a man. The text suggests they should not be given any advantage.[1] (2) This is a metaphorical representation of opposition, or the forces of evil, and the challenges faced in maintaining faith and perseverance during times of hardship and adversity.[2] (3) The text suggests a state of opposition, implying a conflict or disagreement resulting from the transgression of the divine commandment.[3] (4) The one from whom the faithful were fleeing and against whom they were warned, often referred to as the serpent or dragon.[4] (5) This term is not explicitly mentioned, but it is implied that those who rise up in opposition to the truth and exhort others against the Church are in hell.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) This is the devil, who has sowed the darnel in the field; this represents a negative influence in the parable, contrasting with the good seed.[6]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This is the group that Israel is fighting against, including the Syrians and the Ammonites, representing those against them.[7] (2) The enemy refers to the people who opposed the Israelites, specifically the men of Ai, who caused the Israelites' defeat and retreat.[8] (3) The enemy is the one that the sluggish young monarch is to conflict with, and the prophet's last effort is to stir up the young monarch to do so.[9] (4) The source of temptation, and we should dread to meet the enemy, because we know how often circumstances make all the difference between saint and sinner.[10] (5) This is a metaphor for the forces of evil and temptation that Christians must resist, requiring watchfulness and strength to overcome.[11]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The enemy is the pursuing enemy of the Israelites, which they saw approach and were alarmed.[12] (2) This refers to the people who lay in wait by the way, from whom Ezra and his companions were delivered.[13] (3) The enemy caused Phasaelus and Hyrcanus to fall into their hands, but Herod escaped and went to Rome, where he pleaded his case.[14] (4) The enemy was met by Saul next day in Gilboa, and Saul saw the total rout of his army, as described in the text.[15] (5) David became acquainted with the strongholds of the enemy all round, and he was a focus to which 'all who were in distress, in debt, or discontented, gathered themselves'.[16]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) This refers to the adversaries who conspired to attack Jerusalem and obstruct the work, as well as those who attempted to discourage the builders.[17] (2) This is the enemy, and when the ark was taken, the glory was departed, indicating a loss of divine favor.[18] (3) The enemy, in the text, can hinder good undertakings, instigate persecution, and works through antichrist and others.[19] (4) The enemy refers to the forces of Cyrus, and the text highlights that Belshazzar was making a feast when the enemy was at his gates.[20] (5) The enemy refers to the Midianites, who oppressed Israel, and were defeated by Gideon and his forces, indicating the conflict and the ultimate triumph of the Israelites.[21]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) The speed with which the enemy moves, said by some to be altogether inapplicable to the Chaldeans, may be illustrated by the marvellously rapid ride of Nebuchadrezzar himself, from Pelusium to Babylon, to take the kingdom on the death of his father.[22] (2) This term describes those who are objects of divine wrath, highlighting the need for reconciliation, and it is used in specific passages to emphasize this relationship.[23] (3) The enemy is the target of the war ban, which could involve the destruction of everyone and everything belonging to them, depending on the degree of severity.[24] (4) The enemy of God and His Kingdom, moves out into theological history, to be identified by successive ages with nearly every great opponent.[25]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) The enemies are those who retreat in haste and yield, dismayed by Jesus as he waves his sceptre and unfurls his banners, while the gospel trumpets sound.[26]
From: The Kebra Nagast
(1) The disciples will trample upon the power of this, representing opposition.[27] (2) The Devil is this of righteousness and the hater of good.[28] (3) This entity is the source of fear and adversaries, and it is described as being afraid of the person being blessed, suggesting a triumph over opposition.[29] (4) The term denotes the opposing force, whose cities were intended to be plundered by the chosen horses, as described within the provided text.[30] (5) This represents an adversary that will be overthrown or defeated, suggesting a triumph over opposition.[31]
From: The city of God
(1) Enemies are those who the Romans fought against in war, and the Romans marched to meet their enemies, protected by arms their liberty, country, and parents.[32] (2) This is a term used to describe the people that Quintius Cincinnatus won great glory by conquering, according to the provided text.[33] (3) The enemy is mentioned in the context of the sack of Rome and the sparing of those who fled to the churches.[34]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) The enemy represents a threat that could capture the disobedient, unwilling religious individual who is likened to someone riding a weak horse.[35] (2) Referring to the devil, who was constantly attempting to lead Friar Ruffino into despair by questioning his salvation.[36]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) This term refers to the person whose hindrance was taken away after the Sacrament of the bread, so that Christ might be recognized.[37] (2) God judged it better to assume human nature from the vanquished race, and thus to vanquish this of the human race, and it pertains to man’s greater dignity that the conqueror of the devil should spring from the stock conquered by the devil.[38]
From: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi
(1) The enemy is mentioned, and the letter says that if any brother sins mortally, at the instigation of the enemy, certain steps should be taken.[39]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) This refers to the enemy of God, and it is described in the text as saying, "I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil," and it is also the enemy of the Israelites.[40] (2) This term refers to the devil, and he is the enemy of God, and he had no tempter.[41] (3) This refers to those who oppose or are hostile towards a person or group.[42]
Gnostic concept of 'Enemy'
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) The conscience of the soul that constrains it to do all kinds of sins, which causes the soul to commit various wicked actions.[43] (2) In the context of the text, this group's assertions, along with modern theory, are the primary sources for understanding the creed's impact on the Templars' religion, not reliable historical evidence.[44]
The concept of Enemy in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Enemy" refers to various groups throughout history, including invading forces that devastated local populations, enemies of faith who were overcome peacefully, and adversaries in battles for control, particularly between the Angles, Saxons, and Britons.
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) The enemy refers to those who were infesting the frontiers, and Carausius was suspected of allowing them to do so.[45] (2) The prelates triumphed over them without bloodshed, showing the power of faith.[46] (3) The people who Caesar and his forces were fighting against, and they posted themselves on the farther side of the river Thames.[47] (4) The enemy is the group that initially destroyed and dispersed the natives, before returning to their own settlements, causing the Britons to seek refuge and eventually fight back.[48] (5) The text identifies an entity responsible for the destruction of cities and the abandonment of their ruins, causing harm to the native inhabitants.[49]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Individuals or groups that oppose the subject, highlighting the conflict faced during his life.[50] (2) The notion of both internal and external enemies, with guidance on how kings should deal with threats to their rule and territory.[51]