5252. huperphroneó
Lexical Summary
huperphroneó: To think more highly, to be arrogant, to be haughty.

Original Word: ὑπερφρονέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: huperphroneó
Pronunciation: hoop-er-fron-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er-fron-eh'-o)
KJV: think more highly
NASB: think more highly
Word Origin: [from G5228 (ὑπέρ - behalf) and G5426 (φρονέω - mind)]

1. to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. be vain or arrogant

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be haughty, think more highly.

From huper and phroneo; to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. Be vain or arrogant -- think more highly.

see GREEK huper

see GREEK phroneo

HELPS Word-studies

5252 hyperphronéō (from 5228 /hypér, "beyond" and 5426 /phronéō, "personal perspective regulating behavior") – properly, think beyond, exceeding proper (appropriate) limits; (figuratively) to act high-minded, lacking humility and a true sense of reality (Abbott-Smith).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from huper and phroneó
Definition
to be overly proud, to have high thoughts
NASB Translation
think more highly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5252: ὑπερφρονέω

ὑπερφρονέω, ὑπερφρόνω; (ὑπέρφρων); from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; to think more highly of oneself than is proper: Romans 12:3.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 5252 (ὑπερφρονεῖν) describes the mental stance of over-valuing oneself—“thinking beyond what it is right to think.” It portrays an inflated self-assessment that trespasses the boundary set by God’s grace and gifts.

Romans 12:3 in Paul’s Argument

Paul has just urged believers to present their bodies “as a living sacrifice…which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1). Immediately he addresses the mindset that sustains such worship: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3).

1. The contrast is between ὑπερφρονεῖν (lofty self-opinion) and σωφρονεῖν (sound thinking).
2. The “measure of faith” is God’s gracious allocation enabling each member to serve the body; any estimation that bypasses this measure corrupts body life.
3. The infinitive form underscores an ongoing inner posture rather than a single act.

Theological Significance

Humility is not optional ornamentation but integral to saving faith, for grace cannot coexist with self-exaltation (James 4:6). The term therefore exposes pride as a theological contradiction—exalting human ability where only divine gifting suffices. Romans 12:3 guards the doctrine of grace by rooting every ministry function in God’s sovereign distribution.

Historical and Cultural Background

First-century Roman society prized honor and status. Patronage networks rewarded self-promotion, making Paul’s warning counter-cultural. Within house-church gatherings that blended social strata, inflated self-assessment threatened unity. The single occurrence of ὑπερφρονεῖν likely resonated sharply with readers accustomed to public boasting in letters and inscriptions.

Connection to the Wider Biblical Theme of Pride

Proverbs 16:18 warns that “Pride goes before destruction.”
• Jesus models the antithesis of ὑπερφρονεῖν: “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Galatians 6:3 parallels Paul’s thought: “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

Together these passages frame pride as self-deception that obscures dependence on God.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

1. Assessment of Gifts: Leaders help believers discern God’s allotment so that service flows from grace, not ego.
2. Team Dynamics: Pride fractures fellowship; sober thinking harmonizes diverse gifts (Romans 12:4-8).
3. Correction: When ὑπερφρονεῖν surfaces—in preaching, worship leadership, or theological debate—gentle yet firm admonition restores perspective (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

Practical Discipleship

• Daily gratitude lists combat exaggerated self-view by recognizing God as source.
• Memorizing Romans 12:3 anchors identity in grace.
• Accountability relationships provide external calibration against self-inflation.

Related Greek Concepts

• ἐγκρατής (self-controlled) accentuates mastery over inner attitudes.
• ταπεινοφροσύνη (humility) presents the positive counterpart.
• φυσιοῦσθαι (to puff up, 1 Corinthians 4:6) traces the outward effect of inward over-thought pride.

Illustrative Biblical Examples

Negative: Uzziah’s heart “was lifted up, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 26:16).

Positive: John the Baptist—“He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Conclusion

ὑπερφρονεῖν unmasks a spiritual peril: presuming upon oneself what only God supplies. By anchoring self-perception to “the measure of faith,” Scripture safeguards unity, preserves the purity of grace, and channels every gift toward God’s glory rather than human acclaim.

Forms and Transliterations
υπερεκχυθήσονται υπερεχύθη υπερφρονειν υπερφρονείν ὑπερφρονεῖν υπέρχαρης υπερωμίαν hyperphronein hyperphroneîn uperphronein
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 12:3 V-PNA
GRK: ὑμῖν μὴ ὑπερφρονεῖν παρ' ὃ
NAS: among you not to think more highly of himself than
KJV: to think [of himself] more highly than
INT: you not to be high-minded above what

Strong's Greek 5252
1 Occurrence


ὑπερφρονεῖν — 1 Occ.

5251
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