ὑπέρακμος (huperakmos)
huperakmos
past one’s prime
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective huperakmos describes someone who has passed the bloom of youth or entered a state of being overripe. In its single New Testament occurrence in 1 Corinthians 7:36, it refers to a man whose virgin is beyond the prime of life, suggesting a stage where physical maturity brings heightened concerns about sexual temptation and moral danger.
Its meaning derives from two parts: huper ("above" or "beyond") and akmos ("the peak or prime"). The word carries a naturalistic tone, comparing human development to fruit that has passed its optimal stage. Translators typically render it as "past the bloom of youth" or "beyond the prime," capturing the sense of physical maturity rather than chronological age alone.
This specific usage highlights Paul’s practical advice regarding marriage and singleness. The term underscores the tension between natural desires and spiritual discipline, framing marriage not merely as a social arrangement but as a response to the realities of human nature at different life stages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word huperakmos paints a picture of fruit that has passed its peak ripeness. In 1 Corinthians 7:36, it describes a situation where natural desires and life stages create real tension. Paul acknowledges that human nature changes over time, and what feels manageable in youth may feel different later. This is not a judgment on aging but an honest look at how our bodies and minds shift.
For many, this passage offers comfort rather than restriction. It recognises that marriage can be a wise and holy response to the realities of human desire. God does not expect us to ignore our nature but to steward it well. Whether you are single or married, knowing your current season helps you make decisions rooted in truth rather than pressure.
There is grace in acknowledging where we are. We do not need to pretend that every stage of life looks the same. By facing these realities with honesty, we can seek wisdom that honours God and respects our own humanity. This understanding invites us to trust His guidance for each unique chapter of our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- beyond youth,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπέρακμος,1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 7:36
But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
This is the only New Testament occurrence, where Paul uses the term to validate marriage as a practical response to natural desires in later life.