Lexical Summary perissoteron: More abundantly, exceedingly, beyond measure Original Word: περισσότερον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance more abundantly, a great deal, far more. Neuter of perissoteros (as adverb); in a more superabundant way -- more abundantly, a great deal, far more. see GREEK perissoteros HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4054 perissóteron (from 4012 /perí, "all-around, exceed") – abundantly, beyond expectation ("more than"), i.e. exceeding the normal (upper limit). See 4052 (perisseuō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originneut. of perissoteros, q.v. Topical Lexicon Meaning and NuancePerissóteron is the comparative adverb drawn from the idea of perissós (“overflowing, beyond the expected”). It highlights any action, quality, or blessing that rises above ordinary measure, stressing “even more,” “still further,” or “in fuller abundance.” Though the particular form is not recorded in the Greek New Testament, the concept saturates Scripture wherever God’s grace, love, and power are portrayed as surpassing human limits. Old Testament Background Hebrew poetry often underscores divine excess by piling up terms such as “abundance,” “fullness,” and “more than enough.” When the Septuagint translators reached phrases like “my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5) or “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:16), they regularly chose Greek words from the periss- family to render that sense of overflowing provision. This laid a linguistic foundation so that Jewish readers of the New Covenant writings would already associate the perissós family with God’s generous character. Intertestamental and Koine Usage Outside the Bible, Greek writers used perissóteron in exhortations (“strive still more”), comparisons (“loved him more”), and superlative descriptions (“all the more eagerly”). In Hellenistic letters it could intensify affection or urgency, a nuance echoed in the epistles when Paul tells the Corinthians he loves them “more abundantly” (2 Corinthians 2:4, using the cognate adjective). New Testament Emphasis on Abundance 1. Life in Christ John records Jesus’ promise: “I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance” (John 10:10). The noun form perissón captures the heart of the Gospel—salvation is not mere rescue but superabundant life. 2. Apostolic Ministry Paul repeatedly stacks comparative forms to express overflowing ministry: “we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure” (2 Corinthians 1:8) and “we speak as those who have been approved by God… so we can please Him even more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Though other comparative forms are used, the adverbial idea of perissóteron stands behind each call to excel still further. 3. Divine Power Ephesians 3:20 marvels that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” The compound hyper-ek-perissou multiplies the perissós root, revealing a God whose capability always outstrips human petition and imagination. 4. Suffering and Consolation Where affliction abounds, consolation abounds “even more” (2 Corinthians 1:5). The Lord’s answer to hardship is never a bare minimum; His comfort consistently surpasses the trial. Christological Significance Jesus Himself embodies the “more-than-enough” nature of God. Every miracle illustrates divine surplus—twelve baskets left over after feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:20), water turned into an excess of wine (John 2:6-10), and grace pouring out “from His fullness” (John 1:16). The comparative idea behind perissóteron helps Christians see that Christ is not simply adequate; He is superlative. Practical and Pastoral Implications 1. Growth in Holiness Believers are urged to “excel still more” in love, purity, and diligence (1 Thessalonians 4:10, 2 Corinthians 8:7). Pastors can press their congregations toward progress with the assurance that God supplies grace in perissóteron fashion—sufficient and then some. 2. Generosity and Service Knowing that the Lord repays “beyond measure” frees Christians to give sacrificially (Luke 6:38). Ministry teams can labor without fear of scarcity, confident that divine resources, not human reserves, set the bounds. 3. Assurance in Trials When opposition grows “all the more” (Acts 5:14), so does the Spirit’s enabling (Acts 4:31-33). Perissóteron hope stabilizes the heart: whatever increases against the believer, God answers with a still-greater supply. Theological Reflections • Divine Super-abundance: Scripture uniformly portrays God as lavish, not sparing, in every sphere—creation, revelation, redemption, consummation. Worship and Doxology Recognizing God’s perissóteron dealings prompts adoration that stretches language: “My cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5) becomes the believer’s constant song. Hymns celebrating God’s “boundless grace,” prayers that ask “still more” of His presence, and testimonies of “far more” than was imagined all find their scriptural warrant in the perissós family of words. Thus, while Strong’s 4054 does not occur as a discrete form in the New Testament text, its comparative force beats like a drum throughout the canon. From Genesis’ extravagant creation to Revelation’s lavish consummation, the God of Scripture delights in doing “more abundantly” than His people can measure or deserve. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance περισσεύουσα — 1 Occ.περισσεῦσαι — 2 Occ. περισσεῦσαν — 1 Occ. περισσεύσαντα — 1 Occ. περισσεύσῃ — 2 Occ. περισσευθήσεται — 2 Occ. περισσὸν — 5 Occ. περισσοτέρᾳ — 1 Occ. περισσοτέραν — 3 Occ. περισσότερον — 13 Occ. ἐκπερισσῶς — 1 Occ. περισσῶς — 4 Occ. περισσοτέρως — 12 Occ. περιστεραί — 1 Occ. περιστερὰν — 4 Occ. περιστεράς — 4 Occ. περιστερῶν — 1 Occ. περιέτεμεν — 2 Occ. περιετμήθητε — 1 Occ. περιτεμεῖν — 2 Occ. |
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