ἐκπλήρωσις (ekplērōsis)
ekplērōsis
fulfillment
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ekplērōsis signifies a state of being fully completed or fulfilled. Derived from the verb meaning to fill up completely, it describes the realization of a promise or the reaching of a designated end point. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, marking a specific moment in the narrative of Acts.
This single occurrence is found in Acts 21:26, where Paul participates in a purification ritual to demonstrate his respect for Jewish customs. The text notes that he did this "on the day of purification," indicating the fulfillment or completion of the prescribed time for the ceremony. Here, the word anchors the action in a concrete timeline, showing that the required period had arrived and the obligation was met.
While rare, the term carries the weight of finality. It is not merely about effort but about reaching the intended goal. The usage in Acts highlights how early Christians navigated their identity within existing religious frameworks, using such terms to mark the proper conclusion of specific observances.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ekplērōsis points to a moment when something is brought to its intended end. In Acts 21:26, it marks the completion of a set period for Paul’s purification ritual. This shows that following religious timelines was not about earning favor, but about honoring the structure God allowed for His people at that time.
For your life, this reminds us that God works within real time and specific steps. When you wait for a promise or a season to conclude, know that God sees the full picture. The completion of a task or a period is not just an administrative detail; it is a sign that God’s order is being respected and fulfilled.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fulfillment1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐκπλήρωσιν1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 21:26
Then Paul took the men, and the next day purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
This verse uses the term to specify that the required days of purification had reached their proper conclusion, allowing Paul to proceed with his public testimony in the temple.