The term "excelleth" is an archaic English word often used in older translations of the Bible to denote surpassing in quality, virtue, or value. It is derived from the verb "excel," which means to be superior or to go beyond in achievement or quality. In the context of Scripture, "excelleth" is used to describe the surpassing nature of certain virtues, qualities, or divine attributes.

Biblical Usage:

1. Wisdom and Understanding:
The concept of excelling is frequently associated with wisdom and understanding in the Bible. In Ecclesiastes 2:13 , Solomon reflects on the superiority of wisdom over folly: "And I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness." Here, wisdom is portrayed as a guiding light, far superior to the darkness of foolishness, emphasizing the value of divine insight and discernment.

2. Love:
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, often highlights the excellence of love over other spiritual gifts and virtues. In 1 Corinthians 13, while discussing the preeminence of love, Paul implies that love "excelleth" all other gifts, as it is the greatest and most enduring. Although the Berean Standard Bible does not use the word "excelleth" directly, the concept is evident in the passage's emphasis on love's superiority.

3. Glory of the New Covenant:
In 2 Corinthians 3:10 , Paul contrasts the glory of the Old Covenant with the surpassing glory of the New Covenant: "Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it." The New Covenant, established through Christ, excels the Old in its ability to bring life and righteousness, highlighting the transformative power of the Gospel.

4. Moral and Spiritual Excellence:
The call to excel in moral and spiritual virtues is a recurring theme in the New Testament. Believers are encouraged to pursue excellence in their conduct and faith. Philippians 1:9-10 states, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." This passage underscores the importance of excelling in love and discernment as a preparation for Christ's return.

Theological Implications:

The use of "excelleth" in Scripture underscores the biblical principle that certain qualities and attributes are inherently superior and should be pursued by believers. It reflects the divine standard of excellence that God desires for His people, encouraging them to strive for what is best and most pleasing in His sight. The concept also points to the surpassing greatness of God's wisdom, love, and the redemptive work of Christ, which believers are called to emulate and reflect in their lives.

The New Covenant: a Ministration of the Spirit
... Divine appointment, and brought its Divine blessing; but it was a glory that passed
away, and had no glory by reason of the glory that excelleth, the exceeding ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vii the new covenant .htm

The New Nature
... his very nature. Compare him with a senator, with a mighty warrior, or
a master of wisdom, and he far excelleth them all. He is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the new nature.htm

Shall Speak Now with the Utmost Brevity of the Veil of Moses and ...
... And even thus, too, although my Lord Jesus Christ excelleth Moses in glory, as the
lord excelleth the servant, it does not follow from this that the glory of ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/43 i shall speak now.htm

What Solomon, in the Book of Ecclesiastes, Says Regarding the ...
... there is nothing substantial, nothing lasting, he bewails, among the other vanities
that are under the sun, this also, that though wisdom excelleth folly as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 3 what solomon in the.htm

Chapter ii.
... 13. "Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as much as light excelleth
darkness.". He does not say this in the way of comparison. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/the works of dionysius/chapter ii.htm

John Chapter xix. 23, 24
... of charity, he says, "I show you a more excellent way;" [1887] and in another place,
"To know also the love of Christ, which far excelleth knowledge;" [1888 ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxviii john chapter xix.htm

The Desire of all Nations
... preparation for the incoming of the system of grace and truth in the person of Jesus
Christ; and the second temple hath this glory which excelleth, that while ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the desire of all nations.htm

The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
... Covenant people. And this is indeed the glory of the New Covenant, the glory
that excelleth, that this provision has been made. In ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vi the everlasting covenant.htm

31ST DAY. The Vision and Fruition of God.
... The Vision and Fruition of God. Glorious consummation! All the other glories
of Heaven are but emanations from this glory that excelleth. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/31st day the vision and.htm

For Constant Christian Friendship.
... ever Innocent of all that's base; But on this sad earth whenever I in meditation
gaze, There I find deception living; Who excelleth in deceiving, Who the best ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for constant christian friendship.htm

Excelleth (2 Occurrences)
...Excelleth (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 3:10 For even that which was made glorious
had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. ...
/e/excelleth.htm - 6k

Excelling (3 Occurrences)

/e/excelling.htm - 7k

Excellest (1 Occurrence)

/e/excellest.htm - 6k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus