Brief Overview of προσαναπληρόω (Strong’s G4322: prosanaplēroō)

Strong’s G4322: A triple compound verb combining pros (toward), ana (up), and plēroō (to fill), meaning “to fill up completely, to supply fully.” Used in contexts of meeting needs abundantly and completely, especially in relation to Christian service and mutual support within the body of Christ.

U- Unveiling the Word

Προσαναπληρόω represents a powerful triple compound verb that conveys the idea of filling up completely or supplying abundantly. The word appears in contexts of Christian service and mutual support, particularly in Paul’s discussions of how believers meet one another’s needs. Each prefix intensifies the basic meaning of filling, creating a picture of comprehensive and abundant provision. The early church fathers often used this term to describe the complete sufficiency of Christ’s provision through His body, the church. In contemporary Christian life, it continues to emphasize the importance of believers fully supplying one another’s needs in Christ-like service.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: προσαναπληρόω, prosanaplēroō, pros-an-ap-lay-RO-oh
• Pronunciation: Stress on ‘RO’, with ‘pros’ and ‘an’ quickly spoken, ‘oh’ unstressed
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• πρός (pros) – prefix meaning “toward”
• ἀνα (ana) – prefix meaning “up”
• πληρόω (plēroō) – root verb meaning “to fill”
  The triple combination emphasizes complete and abundant filling or supplying.

D – Defining Meanings

• To fill up completely
• To supply abundantly
• To meet needs fully

For compound words:
The prefix πρός indicates movement toward completion, ἀνα emphasizes thoroughness, and πληρόω provides the basic meaning of filling. Together, they create an intensified sense of complete and abundant provision.

Translation Options:

• “to supply completely” – emphasizes the thoroughness of provision
• “to fill up abundantly” – captures the generous nature of the filling
• “to meet needs fully” – reflects the practical application in Christian service

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πληρόω (plēroō, play-RO-oh) – to fill, without the intensifying prefixes
  See G4137
• ἀναπληρόω (anaplēroō, an-ap-lay-RO-oh) – to fill up, with less intensity
  See G378
• ἐκπληρόω (ekplēroō, ek-play-RO-oh) – to fill out completely
  See G1603

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, προσαναπληρόω displays these morphological features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: 3rd
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive/Linear

The present tense emphasizes ongoing action, while the active voice shows the subject’s direct involvement in meeting needs. The indicative mood presents the action as a statement of fact.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of Christian service and mutual support. Thayer’s notes the intensifying force of the triple compound. LSJ provides evidence of its use in contexts of complete fulfillment. Vine’s connects it to the theme of abundance in Christian giving. Strong’s highlights the comprehensiveness implied by the prefixes. LEH notes its use in contexts of thorough provision. Moulton and Milligan cite papyri evidence of its use in commercial contexts of complete payment or fulfillment.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
For the ministry of this service is not only [προσαναπληροῦσα] supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Προσαναπληρόω beautifully illustrates God’s design for His church to function in abundant provision and mutual support. Just as Christ fully supplied our spiritual needs, we are called to completely and generously meet one another’s needs. This word reminds us that the good news of Jesus includes His provision through the body of Christ, where needs are met abundantly and thanksgiving overflows to God.

D – Did You Know?

1. This triple compound verb is one of the most intensified forms of “filling” in New Testament Greek
2. It appears in contexts of both material and spiritual provision in ancient texts
3. Paul uses this word specifically when discussing the Corinthian church’s generous giving to other believers

Strong’s G4322: A triple compound verb combining pros (toward), ana (up), and plēroō (to fill), meaning “to fill up completely, to supply fully.” Used in contexts of meeting needs abundantly and completely, especially in relation to Christian service and mutual support within the body of Christ.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: provision, fulfillment, abundance, Christian-service, mutual-support, generosity, supply, needs, body-of-Christ, triple-compound, Pauline-epistles, giving, thanksgiving, complete-provision, church-life​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​