Brief Overview of πλείων (Strong’s G4119: pleiōn)

Strong’s G4119: The comparative form of πολύς (polys), meaning “more, greater in quantity or quality.” Used in contexts requiring comparison. In New Testament usage, it often appears in Jesus’s teachings to emphasize higher standards of righteousness and in discussions of spiritual growth and excellence.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλείων serves as a crucial comparative term in New Testament teaching, particularly in contexts where mere adequacy is contrasted with excellence. In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, it appears in His call for righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. The term emphasizes not just numerical increase but qualitative superiority. Early church fathers frequently employed this word when discussing spiritual growth and the surpassing nature of Christian virtue. Today, it continues to challenge believers to move beyond minimal compliance to abundant faithfulness.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλείων, pleiōn, /PLY-own/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLY-own (rhymes with “flown”)
• Part of Speech: Adjective (comparative)

Etymology:

• Root: πολ- (pol-) meaning “many”
• Suffix: -ιων (-iōn) comparative ending
• Irregular comparative form of πολύς

D – Defining Meanings

• More numerous
• Greater in quantity
• Superior in quality

For compound words: Not a compound word, but represents the comparative form of πολύς

Translation Options:

• More – Basic comparative meaning
• Greater – Emphasizes qualitative superiority
• Surpassing – Captures the sense of exceeding a standard

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μείζων (meizōn) /MIDE-zone/ – greater in size or importance
  See G3187
• κρείττων (kreittōn) /KRATE-tone/ – better, more excellent
  See G2909

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adjective Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: Third

Examples:
Masculine/Feminine: πλείων, πλείονος, πλείονι, πλείονα
Neuter: πλεῖον, πλείονος, πλείονι, πλεῖον
Alternative forms: πλέων, πλέον

• Cross-references to positive πολύς and superlative πλεῖστος

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Thayer’s notes its irregular comparative formation. LSJ documents extensive usage in classical literature. Vine’s highlights its use in spiritual comparisons. Strong’s connects it to concepts of increase. LEH provides Septuagint usage in comparative contexts. Moulton and Milligan cite examples showing its range of meaning in everyday language.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” more Matthew 5:20

Additional References:
Matthew 6:25, Matthew 12:41, Mark 12:43, Luke 11:31, John 4:41, Acts 13:31, 1 Corinthians 15:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλείων embodies the gospel’s call to excellence and abundance in Christ. Jesus uses this term to challenge us beyond mere rule-following to heart transformation. It reminds us that God’s grace doesn’t call us to minimal compliance but to abundant life in Christ, where our righteousness truly exceeds worldly standards through His transforming power.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term appears in ancient Greek athletic contexts for “breaking records.”
2. Early Christian manuscripts used it to mark superior readings of texts.
3. It influenced mathematical terminology for increasing functions.

Strong’s G4119: The comparative form of πολύς, expressing greater quantity or quality. In New Testament usage, particularly significant in Jesus’s teachings about surpassing righteousness and in contexts emphasizing spiritual growth and excellence beyond minimal standards.

Part of speech: Adjective (Comparative)

Tags: comparison, increase, excellence, righteousness, spiritual growth, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew, Jesus’s teachings, biblical Greek, transformation, abundance, superior quality​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​