Lexical Summary perissos: Abundant, exceeding, extraordinary, more than sufficient Original Word: περισσός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance excessive, more abundantFrom peri (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with ek) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence -- exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement(-ly). see GREEK peri see GREEK ek HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4053 perissós (an adjective, derived from 4012 /perí, "all-around, excess") – properly all-around, "more than" ("abundantly"); beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation; "more abundant," going past the expected limit ("more than enough . . . "). See 4052 (perisseuō). 4053 /perissós ("all-around, equidistant") in John 10:10 Jn 10:10: "I came in order that they [believers] might continuously have life, even that they may continuously have it all-around (4053 /perissós)." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peri Definition abundant NASB Translation abounds all (1), abounds all the more (1), abundantly (1), advantage (1), all the more (2), beyond (1), especially (2), even more (2), excessive (1), further (1), greater (3), John (1), more (5), more abundant (2), more extremely (1), much more (2), superfluous (1), utterly* (1), widely (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4053: περισσόςπερισσός, περισσή, περισσόν (from περί, which see III. 2), from Hesiod down, the Sept. for יותֵר, יֶתֶר, etc.; exceeding some number or measure or rank or need; 1. over and above, more than is necessary, superadded: τό περισσόν τούτων, what is added to (A. V. more than; cf. Buttmann, § 132, 21 Rem.) these, Matthew 5:37; ἐκ περισσοῦ, exceedingly, beyond measure, Mark 6:51 (WH omits; Tr brackets ἐκ περισσοῦ); Mark 14:31 Rec.; ὑπέρ ἐκ περισσοῦ (written as one word ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ (which see)), exceeding abundantly, supremely, Ephesians 3:20 (cf. Buttmann, as above); 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:13 (R G WH text); περισσόν μοι ἐστιν, it is superfluous for me, 2 Corinthians 9:1; περισσόν ἔχειν, to have abundance, John 10:10 (οἱ μέν ... περισσά ἔχουσιν, οἱ δέ οὐδέ τά ἀναγκαῖά δύνανται πορίζεσθαι, Xenophon, oec. 20, 1); neuter comparitive περισσότερον τί, something further, more, Luke 12:4 (L Tr marginal reading περισσόν); περισσότερον, the more, Luke 12:48; (περισσότερον πάντων, etc. much more than all etc. Mark 12:33 T Tr text WH); adverbially, somewhat more (R. V. somewhat abundantly), 2 Corinthians 10:8; (Vulg.abundantius (A. V. more abundantly)) i. e. more plainly, Hebrews 6:17; μᾶλλον περισσότερον, much more, Mark 7:36; περισσότερον πάντων, more (abundantly) than all, 1 Corinthians 15:10; with an adjective it forms a periphrasis for the comparitive περισσότερον κατάδηλόν, more (abundantly) evident, Hebrews 7:15 (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 35, 1). 2. superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon: Matthew 5:47 (A. V. more than others); τό περισσόν, as a substantive, pre-eminence, superiority, advantage, Romans 3:1; comparitive περισσότερος, more eminent, more remarkable (οὐκ ἔσῃ περισσότερος, Genesis 49:3 Symm.; περιττοτερος φρονήσει, Plutarch, mor., p. 57 f. de adulatore etc. 14): Matthew 11:9; Luke 7:26, although in each passage περισσότερον can also be taken as neuter (something) more excellent (Vulg.plus (R. V. much more than etc.)); with substantives: περισσότερον κρίμα, i. e. a severer, heavier judgment, Matthew 23:14-13Rec.; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; τιμή, greater honor, more (abundant) honor, 1 Corinthians 12:23{a} (1 Corinthians 12:24; εὐσχημοσύνη, 1 Corinthians 12:23b); λύπη, 2 Corinthians 2:7. Strong’s Greek 4053, in all its forms (perissón, perissóteron, perissotéra, etc.), always points to something that exceeds the ordinary measure. Whether the context is moral duty, divine grace, material giving, or apostolic authority, the idea is surplus—in quality, quantity, intensity, or importance. Scripture repeatedly uses the term to press believers beyond bare minimums into the realm of overflow. Old Testament and Intertestamental Background Although the Hebrew Scriptures show a similar concept of “overflow” (for example, the cup that “overflows” in Psalm 23:5), the Greek term comes to the forefront in the Septuagint, where it often translates Hebrew roots for abundance and excess. By the time of the New Testament, the word already carried rich theological overtones of God’s lavish provision and His expectation that His people respond in kind. Usage in the Teaching of Jesus 1. Moral integrity that surpasses formalism Matthew 5:37 warns that “anything more” than a simple yes or no springs “from the evil one,” underscoring that authentic righteousness is measured not by verbose vows but by transparent truthfulness. 2. Love that rises above social norms Matthew 5:47 exposes minimalistic obedience: “What are you doing more than others?” Disciples are called to love beyond customary boundaries, reflecting the Father’s perfect love. 3. Discerning greatness in the Kingdom Twice Jesus contrasts greatness with externals. Matthew 11:9 and Luke 7:26 declare that John the Baptist is “more than a prophet,” while Mark 12:33 highlights love as “more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 4. Warning against ostentatious hypocrisy Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, and Luke 20:47 indict scribes for praying “at length” while devouring widows’ houses. Their surplus of external piety masks a deficit of genuine compassion. 5. Astonishment at divine power Mark 6:51 records that the disciples were “utterly astounded,” capturing the surplus impact of Christ’s mastery over wind and wave. Abundant Life and Security in Christ John 10:10 sets the keynote: “I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” The Shepherd not only rescues but enriches. Luke 12:4 encourages fearless witness—believers need not fear human threats “beyond” what mortal power can inflict. Verse 48 balances privilege and responsibility: “From everyone who has been entrusted with much, much more will be demanded.” Pauline Theology of Surpassing Grace 1. Covenant advantage Romans 3:1—“What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what value is there in circumcision?” Paul answers with “much in every way,” acknowledging God’s faithful surplus in covenant history. 2. Gift of service and generosity 2 Corinthians 9:1 speaks of generosity as “superfluous” to mention, not because it is unnecessary, but because the Corinthians already overflow in it. Earlier, 2 Corinthians 2:7 urges “greater forgiveness” to restore a repentant brother, channeling grace “more abundantly” than judgment. 3. Apostolic ministry marked by excessive labor 1 Corinthians 15:10—“Yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” That grace caused Paul to labor “more than all of them,” illustrating how divine surplus fuels human effort. 4. Spiritual gifts that excel in honor Three times in 1 Corinthians 12 (verses 23–24) Paul speaks of weaker or unpresentable members receiving “greater honor,” turning worldly hierarchies upside down. 5. Authority tempered by edification 2 Corinthians 10:8 acknowledges “more” (excessive) authority, yet insists it be used for building up, not tearing down. Assurance and the Book of Hebrews Hebrews 6:17 declares God’s purpose to show the heirs of promise “the unchangeableness of His purpose even more clearly,” confirming it with an oath. Hebrews 7:15 reveals that the priesthood of Jesus is “even more evident” because it rests on indestructible life, granting believers rock-solid confidence. Discipleship and Ministry Implications • Pursue a life that is noticeably above the cultural norm in truth-telling, love, and generosity. Historical Note Early Christian writers seized on perissos to portray salvation history as the movement from sufficiency under law to superabundance under grace. The word colored fourth-century homilies on Christian charity and Benedictine rules on hospitality, framing the Church’s social ethics as an overflow of divine bounty. Summary Strong’s 4053 unfailingly drives Scripture’s readers past the baseline to the beyond. Whether describing the Lord’s life-giving mission, the believer’s righteousness, or the apostle’s toil, it heralds the God whose resources are inexhaustible and whose call is to live, love, and serve out of that holy excess. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:37 Adj-NNSGRK: τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ NAS: no; anything beyond these KJV: for whatsoever is more than these INT: [anything] moreover more than these from Matthew 5:47 Adj-ANS Matthew 11:9 Adj-NNS-C Matthew 23:14 Adj-ANS Mark 6:51 Adj-GNS Mark 7:36 Adj-ANS-C Mark 12:33 Adj-NNS-C Mark 12:40 Adj-ANS-C Luke 7:26 Adj-AMS-C Luke 12:4 Adj-ANS-C Luke 12:48 Adj-ANS-C Luke 20:47 Adj-ANS-C John 10:10 Adv Romans 3:1 Adj-NNS 1 Corinthians 12:23 Adj-AFS-C 1 Corinthians 12:23 Adj-AFS-C 1 Corinthians 12:24 Adj-AFS-C 1 Corinthians 15:10 Adj-AMS-C 2 Corinthians 2:7 Adj-DFS-C 2 Corinthians 9:1 Adj-NNS 2 Corinthians 10:8 Adj-ANS-C Hebrews 6:17 Adj-NNS-C Hebrews 7:15 Adj-NNS-C Strong's Greek 4053 |