Pronunciation Guide: an-ap-lay-ro’-o

Basic Definition

Strong’s G378: ἀναπληρόω (anaplēroō) conveys the profound concept of filling up completely or bringing to fullness. It carries the sense of accomplishing something fully or making something complete in a way that fulfills its intended purpose. This compound word emphasizes both the process and final state of completion, often with divine implications in biblical usage.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀνά (up, again) + πληρόω (to fill)
• Primary usage in narrative and teaching passages
• Appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Found in Classical Greek literature and Koine Greek
• Used particularly in contexts of prophecy fulfillment

ἀναπληρόω Morphology:

• ἀναπληρῶ (present active indicative) – I fill up, complete
• ἀναπληροῖ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it fills up
• ἀναπληρώσετε (future active indicative, 2nd person plural) – you will fill up
• ἀναπληρούμενος (present passive participle) – being filled up
• ἀναπληρῶσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to fill up, to complete

Origin & History

The term ἀναπληρόω emerged from classical Greek usage where it described the process of filling something to its maximum capacity. In works like Xenophon’s Cyropaedia, it was used to describe the filling up of military ranks. The compound structure intensifies the basic meaning of πληρόω, with ἀνά adding the nuance of “up to the brim” or “completely.”

In the Septuagint, ἀναπληρόω appears in contexts describing the fulfillment of divine purposes, particularly in Exodus and Numbers regarding the completion of sacred duties. The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata,” employed the term when discussing the fulfillment of divine prophecies and spiritual maturation.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Complete fulfillment of something predetermined or prophesied
• Filling up to the maximum capacity
• Making up for what is lacking
• Bringing to perfect completion
• Supplying fully what is needed

ἀναπληρόω Translation Options:

• “Fill up completely” – emphasizing the thorough nature of the completion
• “Fulfill entirely” – highlighting prophetic or divine purpose fulfillment
• “Make complete” – focusing on bringing something to its intended fullness
• “Supply fully” – stressing the aspect of meeting a need or requirement
• “Accomplish perfectly” – underlining the perfective aspect of the action

Biblical Usage

The first appearance of ἀναπληρόω in Matthew 13:14 sets a profound theological tone, where it describes the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy concerning spiritual blindness. This usage establishes a pattern where the word often appears in contexts of divine purpose being brought to completion.

In Pauline literature, the term takes on additional depth, particularly in discussions of suffering, ministry, and the fulfillment of God’s plan. The apostle uses it to describe both personal and corporate aspects of completing what is lacking in the Messiah’s afflictions and fulfilling the Torah’s requirements through love.

• “Matthew 13:14 – ‘Indeed in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled [ἀναπληρόω]'”
• “1 Corinthians 14:16 – ‘Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will the one who fills [ἀναπληρόω] the place of the ungifted say'”
• “Galatians 6:2 – ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill [ἀναπληρόω] the law of Messiah'”
• “Philippians 2:30 – ‘because he came close to death for the work of Messiah, risking his life to complete [ἀναπληρόω] what was deficient in your service to me'”
• “Colossians 1:24 – ‘Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up [ἀναπληρόω] what is lacking in Messiah’s afflictions'”

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish thought, the concept of “filling up” or “completing” was deeply connected to the idea of tikkun olam (world repair). This theological concept suggested that human actions could participate in the completion or perfection of God’s creation. The use of ἀναπληρόω in the New Testament often reflects this Jewish understanding of partnering with God in bringing His purposes to completion.

The term also carried significant weight in the ancient Mediterranean world of contracts and obligations. When something was described as ἀναπληρόω, it meant not just partial fulfillment but complete satisfaction of all requirements. This business and legal background illuminates many of Paul’s uses of the term, particularly in contexts of fulfilling obligations or completing what was lacking.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀναπληρόω in the New Testament reveals a profound theology of divine completion and human participation in God’s purposes. It suggests that while God’s work is perfect and complete in itself, He graciously allows His people to participate in bringing His purposes to their full expression in time and space.

This word particularly illuminates our understanding of Colossians 1:24, where Paul speaks of “filling up what is lacking in Messiah’s afflictions.” This doesn’t suggest any deficiency in the Messiah’s atoning work but rather points to how believers participate in the ongoing application of His redemptive work in the world.

The term also appears significantly in contexts of prophecy fulfillment, suggesting that God’s words don’t just come true in a simple sense but reach their complete and perfect fulfillment in ways that often exceed human expectation.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀναπληρόω challenges believers to consider their role in God’s ongoing work of completion and fulfillment. Just as Paul saw his sufferings as “filling up” what was lacking in Messiah’s afflictions, we too are called to see our lives as participating in God’s grand purpose of bringing all things to completion in the Messiah.

This understanding can transform how we view our daily responsibilities and challenges. Every act of service, every burden shared, every word of truth spoken becomes part of how God is bringing His purposes to completion in and through His people.

Related Words

• πληρόω (plēroō, play-ro’-o) – to fill, fulfill, complete; focuses more on the basic act of filling without the intensive force of ἀνά See G4137
• τελειόω (teleioō, tel-i-o’-o) – to complete, perfect, bring to full maturity; emphasizes the end goal rather than the process of filling See G5048
• συμπληρόω (symplēroō, soom-play-ro’-o) – to fill completely, to fulfill entirely; emphasizes filling together with others See G4845
• ἐκπληρόω (ekplēroō, ek-play-ro’-o) – to fulfill completely, accomplish fully; emphasizes fulfillment that extends outward See G1603

Did you Know?

• The prefix ἀνά in ἀναπληρόω can sometimes carry the sense of “again,” suggesting not just completion but restoration to a former fullness, which adds depth to its usage in contexts of spiritual restoration.
• In ancient Greek architectural documents, ἀναπληρόω was used to describe the final phase of construction where all remaining gaps and spaces were filled in, making it a perfect metaphor for completing God’s spiritual temple.
• Modern Greek still uses forms of ἀναπληρόω, particularly in educational contexts where an ἀναπληρωτής is a substitute teacher who “fills in” for the regular instructor, maintaining the ancient sense of completing what is lacking.

Remember This

ἀναπληρόω represents the magnificent reality that God not only completes His perfect plans but graciously invites us to participate in bringing His purposes to their divinely appointed fulfillment.