ὑπερβαλλόντως (huperballontōs)
huperballontōs
severely
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adverb huperballontōs means "beyond measure" or "exceedingly." It describes a degree that surpasses normal limits, conveying intensity that is hard to quantify. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in 2 Corinthians 11:23.
Paul uses this word to emphasize the severity of his sufferings for Christ. He lists various hardships and then adds this term to stress that his endurance went far beyond ordinary human capacity. The root suggests something "throwing over" or exceeding a standard, highlighting an extreme state rather than a simple comparison.
This rare usage underscores the extraordinary nature of apostolic suffering. By choosing such a strong term, Paul communicates that his experiences were not just difficult but reached a level of intensity that defies typical description. The word serves as a powerful descriptor of extreme endurance in the face of adversity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word huperballontōs appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 11:23. Paul uses it to describe his sufferings as being "above measure" or beyond normal limits. It conveys an intensity that surpasses ordinary human capacity, highlighting the extreme nature of his endurance for Christ.
When you face trials that feel overwhelming, this word reminds you that your suffering is not invisible to God. Paul’s experience shows that even when hardships exceed what seems bearable, faith remains active. This rare term underscores the extraordinary grace that sustains believers through severe adversity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- above measure,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπερβαλλόντως,1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 11:23
Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself.) I am more so: in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, and in deaths often.
Paul uses huperballontōs here to emphasize that his sufferings exceeded normal limits, highlighting the extreme intensity of his endurance for Christ.