ἀναπληρόω (anaplēroō)
anaplēroō
to fulfil
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb anaplēroō means to fill up or complete something fully. It carries the sense of bringing a measure to its intended end, whether that is filling a container, completing a count, or fulfilling a requirement. In the New Testament, it appears in six verses, often describing how events align with prophecy or how people contribute to a need.
Its meaning ranges from physical completion to moral fulfillment. For instance, Matthew 13:14 uses it to describe how Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry, showing that the word applies to divine plans reaching their goal. In practical contexts like Philippians 2:30 and 1 Corinthians 16:17, it describes people supplying what was lacking, such as help or encouragement.
Derived from ana- (“up” or “again”) and plēroō (“to fill”), the word emphasizes thoroughness. It is not merely partial satisfaction but reaching fullness. Translators often render it “fulfill” or “supply,” depending on context, highlighting either the completion of a promise or the provision of a need.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaplēroō reminds us that God’s plans are never left unfinished. When Scripture says a prophecy is fulfilled, it means every detail has reached its intended goal. This brings deep comfort, knowing that the promises recorded in ancient texts are fully realized in Christ. You can trust that what God has spoken will come to pass completely.
In daily life, this word also describes how we care for one another. It is not enough to offer a little help; anaplēroō points to supplying what is truly lacking. When Stephanas and his friends visited Paul, they restored the energy that was missing from the Philippian church. This shows that faithful service involves meeting real needs with thoroughness.
Whether you are waiting for a promise to unfold or looking for ways to support others, this word encourages full engagement. It invites us to participate in God’s work by ensuring that love and truth are not just hinted at, but fully expressed in our actions and relationships.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will fulfill1×
- to fill up1×
- is fulfilled1×
- he may fill up1×
- filling1×
- filled up;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀνεπλήρωσαν·1×
- ἀναπληρῶσαι1×
- ἀναπληρῶν1×
- ἀναπληρώσῃ1×
- ἀναπληρώσετε1×
- ἀναπληροῦται1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 13:14
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive;
This verse demonstrates the word's primary theological use, showing how Isaiah’s prophecy reached its complete end in Jesus’ ministry.
-
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Here the term shifts to ethical action, indicating that bearing burdens is the specific way believers fulfill Christ's law.
-
Philippians 2:30
because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
This occurrence highlights personal sacrifice, describing how Epaphroditus supplied the service that the Philippians could not provide in person.