The term "superfluous" refers to something that is unnecessary or excessive, going beyond what is required or sufficient. In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of superfluity often relates to the spiritual and moral life of believers, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what is essential and avoiding excesses that can lead to distraction or sin.

Biblical References:

1. James 1:21 : "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly receive the word planted in you, which can save your souls." Here, the apostle James encourages believers to rid themselves of moral filth and evil, which can be seen as superfluous to the Christian life. The focus is on receiving the Word of God, which is essential for salvation and spiritual growth.

2. Ecclesiastes 5:10 : "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile." The pursuit of wealth and material excess is depicted as superfluous and ultimately unsatisfying. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes warns against the love of money, which can lead to a life focused on superfluous desires rather than on God.

3. Matthew 6:19-21 : "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus teaches that earthly treasures are superfluous compared to the eternal treasures of heaven. The focus should be on spiritual wealth, which is of lasting value.

4. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 : "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." The apostle Paul emphasizes contentment with basic necessities, warning against the superfluous pursuit of material gain. Godliness and contentment are presented as true wealth.

Theological Implications:

The concept of superfluity in the Bible often serves as a caution against the distractions and temptations of worldly excess. Believers are encouraged to focus on what is spiritually necessary and beneficial, cultivating a life of simplicity, contentment, and devotion to God. The avoidance of superfluous pursuits aligns with the call to live a life that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God, prioritizing eternal over temporal concerns.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, Christians are urged to evaluate their lives for areas of superfluity that may hinder their spiritual growth. This includes examining one's lifestyle, possessions, and priorities to ensure they align with biblical teachings. By doing so, believers can foster a deeper relationship with God and live a life that is both purposeful and pleasing to Him.(a.) More than is wanted or is sufficient; unnecessary; excessive; as, a superfluous price.SUPERFLUOUS; SUPERFLUITY

su-pur'-floo-us, su-per-floo'-i-ti (sara`; perissos (2 Corinthians 9:1), perisseia): According to the Levitical Law, "a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a fiat nose, or anything superfluous" could not fulfill priestly functions (Leviticus 21:18; Leviticus 22:23). According to Dillmann (Baentsch, BDB) the word should be rendered "a limb too long," but Ewald (following the Septuagint) suggests "having cropped ears." The only instance of superfluity occurs in James 1:21, the King James Version "superfluity of naughtiness"; according to Mayor "overflowing ebullition of malice" (the Revised Version (British and American) "overflowing of wickedness," margin "malice"); but the Greek word is used in other connections, e.g. of "grace" (Romans 5:17); "joy" (2 Corinthians 8:2).

T. Lewis

4053. perissos -- abundant
... 2), even more (2), excessive (1), further (1), greater (3), John (1), more (5),
more abundant (2), more extremely (1), much more (2), superfluous (1), utterly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4053.htm - 8k

4021. periergos -- overly careful, curious, meddling, subst. a ...
... a busybody, curious, magical Definition: of persons: over-careful; curious, meddling,
a busy-body; of things: over-wrought; superfluous; curious, uncanny; subst ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4021.htm - 7k

4052. perisseuo -- to be over and above, to abound
... From perissos; to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous;
also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel -- (make, more ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4052.htm - 9k

8311. sara -- to extend
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to extend NASB Word Usage deformed (1), overgrown
(1), stretch (1). stretch out self, have any superfluous thing. ...
/hebrew/8311.htm - 6k

In Human Institutions which are not Superstitious, There are Some ...
... Book II. Chapter 25."In Human Institutions Which are Not Superstitious, There are
Some Things Superfluous and Some Convenient and Necessary. 38. ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 25 in human institutions which.htm

These Words of Ours, However, Gracious. Sovereign, May Well Appear ...
... Chapter XVIII. These words of ours, however, gracious. Sovereign, may
well appear superfluous in your ears? 1. These words of ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xviii these words of.htm

But Perhaps You Will Say to Me: "Why do You Fill Your Paper with ...
... 19. But perhaps you will say to me: "Why do you fill your paper with this
superfluous matter? Does even my friend say that it is ...
/.../19 but perhaps you will.htm

A Retort of Heresy Answered that Scripture Should in So Many Words ...
... Chapter XXI."A Retort of Heresy Answered That Scripture Should in So Many Words
Tell Us that the World Was Made of Nothing is Superfluous. ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xxi a retort of heresy.htm

Whether it is Necessary to Believe Such Things as Can be Proved by ...
... There is nothing superfluous in the works of God"much less than in the
works of nature. Now when a thing can already be done in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether it is.htm

Whether it is Necessary to Believe those Things which Can be ...
... For nothing is superfluous in God's works, much less even than in the works of nature.
Now it is superfluous to employ other means, where one already suffices. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is necessary to.htm

Of Two Degrees of Perfection with which this Commandment May be ...
... such mixture of other affections that their sacred love being still as it were in
its infancy; they love together with our Saviour, many superfluous, vain and ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of two degrees.htm

What was the First Cause of Making Images; of the True Likeness of ...
... for, since they are divine, they see and hear all things, in whatever part of the
universe they are,"it follows that images are superfluous, since the gods ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ii what was the first.htm

Concerning the Three Kinds of Gods About which the Pontiff ...
... things have been invented by the poets concerning the gods; the second does not
suit states, because it contains some things that are superfluous, and some, too ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 concerning the three kinds.htm

Whether all the Sacraments are Necessary for Salvation?
... Objection 1: It seems that all the sacraments are necessary for salvation.
For what is not necessary seems to be superfluous. But ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the sacraments are.htm

Superfluous (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) More than is wanted or is sufficient; unnecessary;
excessive; as, a superfluous price. Int. ...SUPERFLUOUS; SUPERFLUITY. ...
/s/superfluous.htm - 9k

Superfluity (5 Occurrences)
... wealth. 2. (n.) The state or quality of being superfluous; excess. 3 ... luxury.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SUPERFLUOUS; SUPERFLUITY. su ...
/s/superfluity.htm - 9k

Superintend (4 Occurrences)

/s/superintend.htm - 8k

Day (17670 Occurrences)
... of sin must have been awakened, if the many otherwise commanded private and
congregational sacrifices did not make such an institution superfluous, and if even ...
/d/day.htm - 70k

Kings (350 Occurrences)
... Version and the Revised Version (British and American) read incorrectly, "The First
Book of Kings," even the use of the article being superfluous.gs (stadia ...
/k/kings.htm - 61k

Net (91 Occurrences)
... 7. (a.) Not including superfluous, incidental, or foreign matter, as boxes, coverings,
wraps, etc.; free from charges, deductions, etc; as, net profit; net ...
/n/net.htm - 36k

Overflow (43 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A flowing over, as of water or other fluid; an inundation. 6. (n.) That
which flows over; a superfluous portion; a superabundance. ...
/o/overflow.htm - 19k

Old (3966 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ADAM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. (Evolutionary
Interpretation): NOTE: It ought to be superfluous to say that the unfolding or ...
/o/old.htm - 101k

Lop (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To cut off as the top or extreme part of anything; to show/ -- by cutting
off the extremities; to cut off, or remove as superfluous parts; as, to lop a ...
/l/lop.htm - 7k

Lute (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A packing ring, as of rubber, for fruit jars, etc. 3. (n.) A
straight-edged piece of wood for striking off superfluous clay from mold. ...
/l/lute.htm - 11k

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