ὑπερβαίνω (huperbainō)
huperbainō
to wrong
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb huperbainō literally means to step over or go beyond a boundary. In the New Testament, it carries the specific sense of transgressing proper limits, often in the context of business dealings. It describes someone who overreaches another person, effectively defrauding them by crossing ethical lines that should not be crossed.
This word appears only once in Scripture, in 1 Thessalonians 4:6. Paul uses it to warn believers against wronging or cheating a brother in financial matters. The image is of someone stepping past a marked line, violating the trust and rights of another for personal gain. It highlights the seriousness of treating fellow Christians with fairness and integrity.
Its roots combine huper (over) and bainō (to go), reinforcing the idea of moving beyond what is right. Translators typically render it as "wrong" or "defraud," capturing the active nature of the offense. It serves as a clear reminder that Christian conduct must respect the boundaries of justice and love toward others.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word huperbainō paints a vivid picture of stepping over a boundary line that belongs to someone else. In the ancient world, this often referred to business practices where a person would overreach their neighbor for personal gain. Paul uses this specific term in 1 Thessalonians to warn believers against wronging a brother or sister in financial matters. It is not merely about being unfair; it is an active violation of trust and rights.
This reminder calls us to examine our own interactions with care and honesty. When we deal with others, especially within the community of faith, we are called to respect clear ethical limits. The seriousness of this warning shows that God cares deeply about how we treat one another in everyday transactions. Integrity is not just a private virtue but a public witness to the justice of God.
Living with this awareness helps us build relationships grounded in mutual respect and fairness. It invites us to consider whether our actions might inadvertently cross lines that should remain unbroken. By choosing to honor these boundaries, we reflect the character of Christ in our daily lives and foster an environment where trust can flourish among believers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to go beyond1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπερβαίνειν1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 4:6
that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.
This verse uses huperbainō to specifically warn against defrauding a brother or sister in financial matters, highlighting the seriousness of violating trust within the Christian community.