Surpassing
ὑπερβολήStrong’s G5236huperbolē
Appears in 7 verses of the New Testament
In short
Huperbolē is the Greek word usually translated “excess”, “more surpassing” and “excessively”. It appears in 7 verses of the New Testament.
“Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”
Meaning
Usually translated “excess”, “more surpassing” and “excessively”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.
How it's translated
- excess 1
- a more surpassing 1
- excessively 1
- surpassingness 1
- surpassing 1
- excessiveness 1
- by surpassingness 1
- exceeding measure 1
Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.
Where it's used most
- 2 Corinthians 4
- Romans 1
- 1 Corinthians 1
- Galatians 1
4 books in all.
Explore in Scripture
- 1 Corinthians 12:31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
- 2 Corinthians 1:8For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
- 2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
- 2 Corinthians 12:7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
- Galatians 1:13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Greek dictionary
ὑπερβολή huperbolē · surpassing
ὑπερ-βολή, -ῆς, ἡ (ὑπερβάλλω), [in LXX: καθ᾽ ὑ., 4Ma.3:18 * ;] a throwing beyond. Metaphorical, excess, superiority, excellence: 2Co.4:7 12:7; καθ᾽ ὑπερβολήν, beyond measure, exceedingly, Rom.7:13, 1Co.12:31, 2Co.1:8, Gal.1:13; κ. ὑ. εἰς ὑ., beyond all measure, 2Co.4:17.† (AS)
From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
How the English word “surpassing” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.
SURP'ASSING, participle present
tense Exceeding; going beyond.
- adjective Excellent in an eminent degree; exceeding others.
Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.
Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Greek, not from any one translation.