Lexical Summary anapléroó: to fill up, to complete, to fulfill Original Word: ἀναπληρόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fill up, fulfill, occupy, supply. From ana and pleroo; to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by coincidence ot obedience) -- fill up, fulfill, occupy, supply. see GREEK ana see GREEK pleroo HELPS Word-studies 378 anaplēróō (from 303 /aná, "up, completing a process," which intensifies 4137 /plēróō, "fill") – properly, fulfill, fill up completely. As a strengthened form of 4137 /plēróō ("fulfill"), 378 (anaplēróō) is "not the filling up of a perfect vacancy, as with the simple 4137 /plēróō – but rather the supplying of what is lacking to fullness; the filling up of a partial void" (WS, 1000). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and pléroó Definition to fill up NASB Translation complete (1), fill up the measure (1), fills (1), fulfill (1), fulfilled (1), supplied (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 378: ἀναπληρόωἀναπληρόω, ἀναπλήρω; future ἀναπληρώσω; 1 aorist ἀνεπληρωσα; (present passive ἀναπληροῦμαι); (ἀνά to, up to, e. g. to fill a vessel up to the brim; up to the appointed measure or standard, German anfüllen); (from Euripides down); 1. to fill up, make full, e. g. a ditch (Strabo 5, 6, p. 223); hence, tropically, ἁμαρτίας, 1 Thessalonians 2:16 (to add what is still lacking to complete the number of their sins; on the meaning, cf. Genesis 15:16; Daniel 8:23; Daniel 9:24; Matthew 23:32; 2 Macc. 6:14). ἀναπληροῦται ἡ προφητεία the prophecy is fully satisfied, the event completely corresponds to it, Matthew 13:14. τόν νόμου to fulfil i. e. observe the law perfectly, Galatians 6:2 (the Epistle of Barnabas 21 [ET] ἀναπληραν πᾶσαν ἐντολήν); τόν τόπον τίνος to fill the place of anyone, 1 Corinthians 14:16 (after the rabbinical מְקום מָלֵא to hold the position of anyone (yet cf. Meyer ad loc.)). 2. to supply: τό ὑστέρημα, Philippians 2:30 (Colossians 1:24); 1 Corinthians 16:17 (they by their presence supplied your place in your absence); cf. Plato, symp., p. 188 e. ἀλλ' εἰ τί ἐξέλιπον, σόν ἔργον (namely, ἐστιν) ἀναπληρῶσαι. Cf. Winer's De verb. comp. etc. Part iii., p. 11f; (Ellicott on Philippians, the passage cited, or Meyer on Galatians, the passage cited Compare: ἀνταναπληρόω, προσαναπληρόω). Matthew 13:14 affirms that Israel’s resistance to Messiah “fills up” Isaiah’s warning, revealing God’s sovereign timing in redemptive history: “In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding…’ ”. The verb underscores that prophecy is not merely predicted but actively completed; divine intention reaches its appointed measure through human response, whether obedient or rebellious. Every other New Testament use of the term is shaded by this same certainty: the Word of God will come to its full measure. Completion of Corporate Responsibility Paul twice applies the word to describe believers who compensate for what others cannot personally supply. • Philippians 2:30 commends Epaphroditus, who “risked his life to make up for your service to me that was lacking.” The Philippian church’s love-gift was incomplete until one brother crossed dangerous miles to deliver it. In both settings God employs willing servants to finish what the body begins. The principle safeguards against isolationism; Christians are inter-dependent stewards, called to step into gaps left by distance, limitation, or delay. Burden-Bearing and the Law of Christ Galatians 6:2 assigns the church a mutual ministry of restoration: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” The Mosaic law reached its climax in Christ; believers now “fill it up” by practical, sacrificial love that mirrors the Savior’s burden-bearing. The verse links doctrinal fulfillment to concrete action, reminding the church that orthodoxy without compassion is still unfinished. The Tragic Filling Up of Sin 1 Thessalonians 2:16 speaks of opponents who “heap up their sins to the limit.” Rejection of the gospel is not a static event but an accumulating offense that eventually completes its measure and invites righteous wrath. The passage echoes Genesis 15:16 and foreshadows Revelation 15–16, illustrating that both mercy and judgment operate on a divinely set quota. Participation, Not Spectatorship, in Worship In 1 Corinthians 14:16 the uninstructed listener “occupies the place” of the plain hearer who must say “Amen.” Spirit-led worship is meant to include each participant; tongues without interpretation leave a seat unfilled. The rhetorical use of the verb challenges public ministry that sidesteps intelligibility and communal edification. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Apostolic practice shows that financial and logistical support is part of gospel partnership. Churches today continue this pattern when missionaries, supply teams, and technology extend a congregation’s reach, “filling up” what distance prevents. Practical Counsel for the Contemporary Church • Identify deficiencies—in care, resources, or representation—and prayerfully place yourself where the Lord would have you “fill up” the lack. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 13:14 V-PIM/P-3SGRK: καὶ ἀναπληροῦται αὐτοῖς ἡ NAS: of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, KJV: them is fulfilled the prophecy INT: And is filled up them the 1 Corinthians 14:16 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 16:17 V-AIA-3P Galatians 6:2 V-AMA-2P Philippians 2:30 V-ASA-3S 1 Thessalonians 2:16 V-ANA Strong's Greek 378 |
    |