a-genst' (kata; enantion; pros): Preposition expressing contrast. When used of direction, equivalent to "toward" (Matthew 10:35; 12:14, etc.); when of position, meaning "opposite," "facing," "in front of" (1 Kings 7:5; Genesis 15:10, Romans 8:31); when of action, "opposed to" (Matthew 5:11; 26:59; 1 Corinthians 4:6); "in resistance to" (Hebrews 12:4); "provision for" (Greek eis, literally, "unto, toward" (1 Timothy 6:19). Sometimes also applied to what breaks an established order as "customs" (Acts 28:17), "nature" (Romans 1:26). Peculiar shades of meaning may be traced by careful examination of the variety of prepositions in Hebrew and Greek employed in the Scriptures, that are translated into English by this one word.

H. E. Jacobs

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Are you a good person? Try the good person test.