ἐκπληρόω (ekplēroō)
ekplēroō
to fulfill
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ekplēroō means to fill something up completely or to fulfill a requirement entirely. Derived from roots meaning "out" and "fill," it carries a sense of thoroughness that goes beyond simple completion. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in Acts 13:32, where the apostle Paul describes how God has fulfilled the promises made to the ancestors.
Its usage here highlights a definitive act of fulfillment. The sources note its connection to the Septuagint, where it similarly denotes making good on a promise or completing a count. By choosing this term, the text emphasizes that God’s word is not merely started but brought to full realization. It suggests a satisfaction of obligation or expectation that leaves nothing outstanding.
While less common than other words for fulfillment, its rarity gives it weight. It points to a divine action that is both comprehensive and final. The focus remains on the reliability of the promise rather than the human response, marking a clear instance where God’s commitment is fully executed in history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekplēroō appears just once in the New Testament, found in Acts 13:33. Here, Paul uses it to describe how God raised Jesus from the dead. This single occurrence carries significant weight because it connects a specific historical event to ancient promises. It shows that God does not leave His words half-finished but brings them to complete realization.
For your faith, this offers deep assurance. When God makes a promise, He sees it through to the end. The resurrection of Jesus stands as proof that His commitments are reliable and fully executed. You can trust that what He has spoken will stand firm, regardless of how long it takes or what obstacles arise.
This completeness invites you to rest in His faithfulness. You do not need to worry about whether God will follow through. His nature guarantees that every good promise finds its full expression in time. This stability provides a solid foundation for hope in uncertain seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- has fulfilled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκπεπλήρωκεν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 13:33
that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’
Paul uses this rare verb to confirm that God's raising of Jesus is the definitive fulfillment of the promise made to the ancestors.