Brief Overview of πολλαπλασίων (Strong’s G4179: pollaplasiōn)
Strong’s G4179: An adjective meaning “manifold, many times more,” used to describe multiplication or increase. In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’ promise of reward for those who sacrifice for the kingdom, emphasizing abundant divine compensation for earthly losses.
U- Unveiling the Word
Πολλαπλασίων conveys the concept of multiplication or manifold increase. In its sole New Testament appearance, Jesus uses it to promise abundant rewards to those who sacrifice for the kingdom of God. The early church understood this term as expressing God’s generous multiplication of blessings, both temporal and eternal. Today, it reminds believers that God’s rewards far exceed any sacrifices made for His kingdom.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: πολλαπλασίων, pollaplasiōn, /pol-lap-las-ee’-own/
- Detailed Pronunciation: p (plosive) + ol (syllable) + lap (syllable) + las (syllable) + ee (vowel) + own (final syllable)
- Part of Speech: Adjective
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Etymology:
- Root: πολλ- (poll-) from πολύς (many)
- Suffix: -απλασίων (-aplasiōn) indicating multiplication
- Function: Creates an adjective indicating multiple increase
D – Defining Meanings
- Many times more
- Manifold
- Multiplied
- Much more numerous
- Many times greater
Translation Options:
- Many times more – Best captures multiplication aspect
- Manifold – Emphasizes abundance
- Multiple times over – Highlights increase aspect
E – Exploring Similar Words
- πολύς (polys) /pol-oos’/ – refers to many/much – See G4183
- περισσός (perissos) /per-is-sos’/ – refers to abundance – See G4053
- πλείων (pleiōn) /pli’-own/ – refers to more – See G4119
R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology
- Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
- Number: Singular, Plural
- Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
- Declension: 3rd declension
Examples:
Masculine/Neuter: πολλαπλασίων, πολλαπλασίονος
Feminine: πολλαπλασίων, πολλαπλασίονος
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG emphasizes its multiplicative meaning. Thayer’s notes its use in reward contexts. LSJ traces its mathematical usage. Vine’s highlights its promise aspect. Strong’s connects it to abundance. Moulton and Milligan document its use in commercial contexts.
T – Tracing the Scriptures
First Appearance:
Luke 18:30: “who will not receive many times more [πολλαπλασίονα] in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
A – Analyzing Classical Usage
Author: Work | Text |
---|---|
Xenophon: Economics | “The harvest yielded many times more [πολλαπλασίων] than was sown” |
Plato: Laws | “The penalty shall be many times [πολλαπλασίων] the amount stolen” |
Aristotle: Ethics | “The return should be many times [πολλαπλασίων] the original investment” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
Πολλαπλασίων beautifully expresses God’s abundant generosity toward those who sacrifice for His kingdom. It proclaims the good news that no sacrifice for Christ goes unrewarded, and His compensation far exceeds our losses.
D – Did You Know?
- Πολλαπλασίων appears only once in the New Testament
- It was commonly used in mathematical and commercial contexts
- The term influenced early Christian teaching on divine rewards
Strong’s G4179: An adjective meaning “manifold, many times more,” used to describe multiplication or increase. In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus’ promise of reward for those who sacrifice for the kingdom, emphasizing abundant divine compensation for earthly losses.
Part of speech: Adjective
Tags: manifold, multiplication, increase, reward, divine compensation, sacrifice, kingdom benefits, abundance, Biblical Greek, New Testament terminology, Luke, divine promises
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