The concept of "surpass" in the Bible often relates to the idea of exceeding or going beyond a certain standard, measure, or expectation. This term can be applied to various aspects of spiritual life, divine attributes, and human conduct as depicted in the Scriptures.

Divine Attributes:

God's attributes are frequently described as surpassing human understanding and capabilities. His wisdom, power, and love are beyond comparison. In Isaiah 55:8-9 , the Lord declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage highlights the surpassing nature of God's wisdom and plans, which are infinitely greater than human comprehension.

Christ's Love and Sacrifice:

The love of Christ is another aspect that surpasses human understanding. Ephesians 3:18-19 speaks of the desire for believers to "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge." This love is demonstrated supremely in Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, which provides redemption and reconciliation with God.

Righteousness and the Law:

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls His followers to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. Matthew 5:20 states, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." This surpassing righteousness is not about legalistic adherence to the law but about a transformed heart and life that reflect the character of Christ.

Peace of God:

The peace offered by God is described as surpassing all understanding. Philippians 4:7 assures believers that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This peace is a divine gift that transcends circumstances and human logic, providing comfort and stability in the midst of life's challenges.

Excellence in Christian Living:

Believers are encouraged to pursue excellence in their spiritual walk, striving to surpass worldly standards by living according to God's will. In 1 Corinthians 12:31 , Paul urges the church to "earnestly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that surpasses them all," leading into the famous discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13. This passage emphasizes that love is the greatest virtue, surpassing all other spiritual gifts and achievements.

Conclusion:

The biblical theme of surpassing is woven throughout Scripture, calling believers to recognize the infinite greatness of God's attributes, the depth of Christ's love, and the transformative power of His peace. It challenges Christians to pursue a life of righteousness and love that exceeds mere external compliance, reflecting the surpassing excellence of God's kingdom.(v. t.) To go beyond in anything good or bad; to exceed; to excel.1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a ...
... to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a difference, surpass. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: diaphero Phonetic Spelling: (dee-af-er'-o) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1308.htm - 8k

5242. huperecho -- to hold above, to rise above, to be superior
... rise above, to be superior. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: huperecho Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-er-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I excel, surpass Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5242.htm - 7k

5235. huperballo -- to throw over or beyond, to run beyond
... over or beyond, to run beyond. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: huperballo
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er-bal'-lo) Short Definition: I surpass Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5235.htm - 7k

4284. proecho -- to hold before
... to hold before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proecho Phonetic Spelling:
(pro-ekh-om-ahee) Short Definition: I excel, surpass Definition: trans: I hold ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4284.htm - 6k

5276. naem -- to be pleasant, delightful, or lovely
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be pleasant, delightful, or lovely NASB Word
Usage delight (1), delightful (1), pleasant (5), surpass in beauty (1). ...
/hebrew/5276.htm - 6k

3254. yasaph -- to add
... 7), more (18), more shall be done (1), more also (1), more* (5), once more* (3),
once* (1), prolong (1), prolongs (1), repeated* (1), surpass (1), worse* (1 ...
/hebrew/3254.htm - 6k

Whether the Repayment of Gratitude Should Surpass the Favor ...
... OF THANKFULNESS OR GRATITUDE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the repayment of gratitude
should surpass the favor received? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the repayment of gratitude.htm

That the Building Should Surpass all the Churches in the World in ...
... Book III. Chapter XXXI."That the Building should surpass all the Churches in
the World in the Beauty of its Walls, its Columns, and Marbles. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxi that the building should.htm

Whether the Pains of Purgatory Surpass all the Temporal Pains of ...
... OF THE QUALITY OF SOULS WHO EXPIATE ACTUAL SIN OR ITS PUNISHMENT IN PURGATORY (SIX
ARTICLES) Whether the pains of Purgatory surpass all the temporal pains of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the pains of purgatory.htm

Whether Envy is a Kind of Sorrow?
... in so far as it diminishes the good name a man desires to have, it follows that
a man is envious of those only whom he wishes to rival or surpass in reputation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether envy is a kind.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, "If Thou Wouldest Enter ...
... Whosoever of you boast of your poverty, beware of pride, lest the humble rich surpass
you; beware of impiety, lest the pious rich surpass you; beware of ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxv on the words.htm

Problems About Heavenly and Earthly Divisions of the Church
... In this way their peace will become known to us, since ours will be like theirs
in kind and measure"nor will it then surpass our understanding. ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xvi problems about heavenly.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... emulation is more abundant. For here neither is one to be crowned alone, and
the rewards also far surpass the labors. Wherefore also he ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

It is Shown by Reason that in God Three are not Anything Greater ...
... The Father also and the Holy Spirit together, since they do not surpass the Son
in truth (for they are not more truly), do not surpass Him either in magnitude. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 it is shown by.htm

Letter v. --A Testimonial.
... Now because I am rich in friendships, perhaps I surpass in that kind of property
even that great man who plumed himself upon that very thing. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter v a testimonial.htm

Whether the Brightness of the Heavenly Bodies Will be Increased at ...
... Now man is a very small thing in comparison with the heavenly bodies, which by their
huge bulk surpass the size of man almost beyond comparison: in fact the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the brightness of the.htm

Surpass (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Surpass (8 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Ezekiel 32:19 Whom
dost thou surpass in beauty? Go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised. ...
/s/surpass.htm - 8k

Excel (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To show superiority; to go beyond or surpass in
good qualities or laudable deeds; to outdo or outgo, in a good sense. ...
/e/excel.htm - 10k

Pass (1172 Occurrences)
... 11. (vi) To go beyond bounds; to surpass; to be in excess. 12. (vi) To take heed;
to care. 13. ... 21. (vt) To transcend; to surpass; to excel; to exceed. 22. ...
/p/pass.htm - 44k

Surpassed (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Surpass. Multi-Version Concordance
Surpassed (7 Occurrences). John 1:15 John testified about him. ...
/s/surpassed.htm - 8k

Overshadow (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To throw a shadow over; to surpass; to cover with
a superior influence. Multi-Version Concordance Overshadow (4 Occurrences). ...
/o/overshadow.htm - 7k

Outdo (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To go beyond in performance; to excel; to
surpass. Multi-Version Concordance Outdo (1 Occurrence). ...
/o/outdo.htm - 6k

Outwit (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To surpass in wisdom, esp. in cunning; to
defeat or overreach by superior craft. 2. (n.) The faculty ...
/o/outwit.htm - 7k

Overpass (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To pass over; to omit; to overlook; to disregard. 3. (vt) To surpass; to
excel. 4. (vi) To pass over, away, or off. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/o/overpass.htm - 7k

Whip (7 Occurrences)
... whisk, fork, or the like. 7. (vt) To conquer; to defeat, as in a contest
or game; to beat; to surpass. 8. (vt) To overlay (a cord ...
/w/whip.htm - 11k

Top (880 Occurrences)
... 17. (vt) To cover on the top; to tip; to cap; -- chiefly used in the past participle.
18. (vt) To rise above; to excel; to outgo; to surpass. 19. ...
/t/top.htm - 8k

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