"Helps by the Way.  No.  3.  The Greek Prepositions."  by Charles H. 
Welch in The Berean Expositor, circa 1912-13.


In our last paper we sought to show the primary, radical idea of the
prepositions, looking at them as a whole.  In this paper we commence
dealing with them singly.  We shall endeavour "to point out with
precision the distinctive primary power of each, from which all its
secondary significations emanate as from a common centre; and to trace
to this (primary meaning) all the various meanings the preposition may
have assumed" (Winer).


Anti. -- The primary, local and literal meaning of anti as referring to
place is "opposite," "before," "over against."  Figuratively and
secondarily it means "as the equivalent of," "for," " instead of,"
"correspondency."  So in Matt.  v. 38 we read, " an eye for an eye." 
The idea of exchange or barter, the giving of one thing for another, is
clearly seen in Heb.  xii. 16, where Esau "for (anti) one morsel of
meat sold his birthright."  Yet more striking is the usage in Heb. 
xii. 2, speaking of the Lord Jesus, "Who for (anti) the joy that was
set before Him endured the cross."  Here the meaning is that the joy of
resurrection glory was set over against the shame and death of the
cross.


The idea of something equivalent is clearly seen in Rom.  xii. 17,
"render no man evil for (anti) evil."  Matt.  ii. 22 shows the force of
the word, "Archelaus did reign .  .  .  IN THE ROOM OF his father
Herod."


The word anti enters into composition with other words forming some
important theological and doctrinal terms, e.g.: --


Antitype (antitupon). -- I Pet.  iii. 21 translates the word, "the like
figure." The resurrection of the Lord and the typical ordinance of
baptism were antitypical.  They were to the Jewish believer what the
ark and the flood were to Noah and his family when they "saved
themselves from that untoward generation."


The word occurs again in Heb.  ix. 24, "For Christ is not entered into
the Most Holy Place (figure of speech -- plural of majesty) made with
hands, which is the antitype of the true, but into heaven itself." 
Here we learn that the tabernacle which Moses built was but a copy or a
type of the real heavenly holiest of all.  Incidentally we learn the
meaning of the word "true."  "True " often means that which is shadowy,
unreal, typical, as well as the opposite of that which is false.


Antichrist (antichristos). -- This word, rightly understood, throws
light on the character of the Man of Sin.  He is anti (instead of)
Christ before he becomes openly against Christ.  The travesty of the
resurrection in Rev. xiii.  12 is of the same character.  The false
christs throughout the age have always endeavoured to substitute
themselves and their doctrines for Christ and the truth.  Perhaps the
most precious usage of anti is found in Matt. xx. 28 and I Tim.  ii. 6.
 "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and
to give His life (soul -- psuche) a ransom for (anti) many."  What a
Substitute!  Speaking of the man Christ Jesus as the One Mediator, I
Tim.  ii. 6 says, "Who gave Himself a ransom on behalf of all
(antilutron huper panton), to be testified in due time."  Without
entering into a battle of words with those who do not like the term, we
cannot refrain from emphasizing the claim which the doctrine of
"substitution " has upon the believer, both as regards his own grateful
acknowledgment, and its place in the testimony of the gospel of the
grace of God.


Let the reader search out the usages of this little word, always
bearing in mind the primary idea already noted.  There are many other
words with which anti is combined, and we would suggest that a
carefully tabulated index of these prepositions would form an
invaluable help to the fuller understanding of the "words which the
Holy Ghost teacheth."