4055. perissoteros

Lexical Summary

perissoteros: Greater, more abundant, exceedingly

Original Word: περισσότερος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: perissoteros
Pronunciation: pe-ris-SO-ter-os
Phonetic Spelling: (per-is-sot'-er-os)
KJV: more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch
Word Origin: [comparative of G4053 (περισσός - more)]

1. more superabundant (in number, degree or character)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

more abundant, greater

Comparative of perissos; more superabundant (in number, degree or character) -- more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.

see GREEK perissos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
cptv. from perissos
Definition
greater, more.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

περισσότερος conveys the idea of “still more,” “far greater,” or “overflowing to a higher degree.” Although this exact comparative form is not preserved in the extant New Testament text, cognate forms saturate Scripture, underscoring God’s propensity to act in super-abundance rather than bare sufficiency. The word therefore functions as a verbal signpost to divine generosity, progressive sanctification, and intensified exhortation.

Semantic Range and Theological Emphasis

1. Qualitative Enlargement – greater intensity of a virtue (love, joy, faith).
2. Quantitative Overflow – more numerous or richer in measure (grace, gifts, fruit).
3. Escalated Urgency – sterner warnings or stronger appeals (heed, remember, persevere).

Each nuance accents the biblical pattern that God’s provisions exceed human expectation: “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20).

Divine Abundance in Redemptive History

• Creation: The earth “brought forth vegetation” in profusion, reflecting a Maker who delights in fullness (Genesis 1:11-12).
• Covenant: Abraham’s descendants were promised to become “as numerous as the stars” (Genesis 22:17).
• Incarnation: “I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance” (John 10:10).
• Consummation: The New Jerusalem flows with an immeasurable river of life (Revelation 22:1-2).

Across every epoch, God’s dealings proceed from boundless resources rather than calculated minimums.

Pauline Intensification

Paul habitually stacks comparatives to magnify God’s work or the believer’s response:
• Love that is “even greater” (2 Corinthians 7:15).
• Confidence that saints will “excel still more” (1 Thessalonians 4:10).
• Grace that is “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

Such language discourages static Christianity; the gospel propels continuous advance.

Hebrews: Urgent Exhortation

The epistle sounds repeated calls for heightened attentiveness: “We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). The comparative intensifier raises the bar for obedience, arguing that greater revelation demands greater commitment.

Old Testament Echoes and Intertestamental Usage

In the Septuagint, comparative forms of the same root emphasize excess—plagues “more grievous” (Exodus 10:14), wisdom “more profitable” (Proverbs 3:14). Hellenistic writers used the term for overflowing rivers or lavish banquets, imagery that later Christian teachers appropriated to illustrate spiritual plenty.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Discipleship – Aim for “more abundant” maturity; teaching should not settle for initial conversion.
2. Pastoral Care – Model Paul’s “greater affection” (2 Corinthians 7:15), expressing tangible, ever-growing love.
3. Missions – Expect the gospel to bear fruit “more and more” (2 Thessalonians 1:3), trusting God for exponential harvests.
4. Worship – Celebrate God’s excess: scriptures, songs, and prayers that highlight His overflowing mercy cultivate grateful hearts.

Doctrinal Connections

• Sanctification: The Spirit fosters progressive growth, not static maintenance (Philippians 1:9).
• Assurance: The magnitude of grace outstrips the depth of sin, anchoring eternal security (Romans 5:20-21).
• Eschatology: Future glory is described with superlatives, assuring believers that present sufferings “are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed” (Romans 8:18).

Summary

περισσότερος crystallizes a biblical theme: God always gives, commands, and accomplishes “more”—never merely enough. His children, therefore, pursue ever-increasing faith, hope, and love, confident that divine supply will overflow every need until the day when abundance itself is perfected in glory.

Forms and Transliterations

περισσοτερον περισσότερον perissoteron perissóteron

Englishman'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.