Lexical Summary huperakmos: Past the bloom of youth, beyond the prime Original Word: ὑπεράκμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance past youthFrom huper and the base of akmen; beyond the "acme", i.e. Figuratively (of a daughter) past the bloom (prime) of youth -- + pass the flower of (her) age. see GREEK huper see GREEK akmen NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom huper and the same as akmazó Definition past the bloom of youth NASB Translation past her youth (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5230: ὑπέρακμοςὑπέρακμος, ὑπερακμον (Vulg.superadultus); 1. "beyond the ἀκμή or bloom of life, past prime" (Plato, de rep. 5, p. 460 e. ἀῥ οὖν σοι ξυνδοκει μέτριος χρόνος ἀκμῆς τά εἴκοσιν ἔτη γυανικι, ἀνδρί δέ τά τριάκοντα): Eustathius. 2. overripe, plump and ripe (and so in greater danger of defilement): of a virgin (R. V. past the flower of her age), 1 Corinthians 7:36. The adjective describes a woman who has passed the prime of her youth—no longer at the opening bloom of maidenhood, yet still unmarried. The term therefore evokes the tension between the passing of time and the need to make a prudent decision about marriage. Only New Testament Occurrence 1 Corinthians 7:36: “If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is beyond her youthful prime, and it must be so, he may do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should marry.” Paul applies the word to situations where delay in marriage might become harmful, either to the woman’s reputation or to the couple’s purity. Greco-Roman and Jewish Background In the first-century Mediterranean world, most women married soon after puberty. Delaying marriage could attract social suspicion and economic hardship. While Greco-Roman law offered fathers authority to arrange unions, Jewish tradition emphasized stewardship and protection of a daughter’s honor (Deuteronomy 22:13-21). Paul recognizes both cultural expectations and the gospel’s call to holiness, urging believers to avoid needless anxiety or impropriety. Paul’s Pastoral Counsel Paul balances three principles in the larger passage (1 Corinthians 7:25-38): 1. Devotion to the Lord without distraction (verse 35). The appearance of the adjective underscores that time itself can create moral pressure; at a certain point continued postponement of marriage is no longer spiritually advantageous. Implications for Modern Ministry • Discernment: Leaders should help singles and their families navigate relational decisions through prayer and wise counsel, rather than rigid timelines. Biblical Theology of Maturity Scripture frequently connects biological maturity with covenant responsibility. Examples include Genesis 2:24, where a man “leaves his father and mother,” and Hebrews 5:14, which speaks of believers “trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.” The adjective echoes this trajectory: maturity invites decisive action that honors God. Related Concepts • “Time is short” (1 Corinthians 7:29) highlights the broader eschatological urgency of the chapter. Summary Strong’s Greek 5230 captures a moment when youthful delay has run its course. Paul employs the word to safeguard purity, uphold personal liberty, and affirm marriage as a righteous option when prudence dictates. The term thus serves the larger biblical teaching that maturity—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—calls for choices that glorify God and bless others. |
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