ὑπερπερισσεύω (huperperisseuō)
huperperisseuō
to abound
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb huperperisseuō describes a state of abounding or overflowing to an exceptional degree. Its meaning is built from prefixes that intensify the root, suggesting abundance that goes beyond normal limits. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, yet it carries significant weight in describing spiritual realities.
In Romans 5:21, Paul uses it to explain how grace reigns through righteousness for eternal life, surpassing the power of sin. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 7:4, he speaks of his great joy and overflowing confidence in the Corinthian believers despite their earlier distress. The sources indicate that the word can function actively to mean abounding exceedingly or passively to describe an overflowing state.
This rare term highlights the superabundant nature of God’s grace and the resulting joy of believers. It is not merely about having enough, but about a surplus that characterizes the Christian experience under grace rather than law. Translators typically render it as "abound exceedingly" or "overflow," capturing this sense of intense, measureless fullness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels heavy or when past mistakes seem to weigh us down, this rare Greek word reminds us that God’s grace does not just meet the need—it overflows beyond it. The term describes an abundance so deep it surpasses every limit we can imagine. It is not a quiet trickle of help, but a superabundant flow that covers every gap in our lives.
In Romans 5:21, Paul shows us that grace reigns through righteousness to bring eternal life, outshining the power of sin. This means your struggles do not define your final story. Instead, you are invited into a reality where God’s kindness is larger than any problem you face. You can rest in the assurance that His love is never short.
This same overflowing joy appears in 2 Corinthians 7:4, where Paul speaks of being filled with comfort even in affliction. It suggests that our deepest peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of a grace that exceeds it. May you find rest in this truth today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- overabounded1×
- I overabound1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑπερπερισσεύομαι1×
- ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 5:20
The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly,
This verse highlights how grace does not merely match sin's impact but surpasses it with a measureless abundance, ensuring eternal life.
-
II Corinthians 7:4
Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
Here the word describes Paul's personal experience of overflowing joy and comfort that persists despite external affliction.