Brief Overview of πλήρωμα (Strong’s G4138: plērōma)

Strong’s G4138: A noun meaning “fullness, completeness, or that which fills.” From πληρόω (to fill). In ancient Greek, it described physical fullness or completion. In New Testament theology, it expresses divine fullness, particularly the complete presence of God in Christ and His Church.

U- Unveiling the Word

πλήρωμα represents more than simple fullness—it embodies complete perfection and totality. In the New Testament, it ranges from practical usage (patch on garment) to profound theological concepts, particularly regarding the fullness of deity in Christ and the church as Christ’s fullness. Early church fathers extensively used this term in discussions about Christ’s divine nature and the church’s relationship to Him. Today, it continues to express both the completeness of Christ’s deity and the church’s participation in His fullness.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πλήρωμα, plērōma, /PLAY-ro-mah/
• Detailed pronunciation: PLAY-ro-mah (emphasis on first syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: πληρ- (plēr-) meaning “full”
• Suffix: -μα (-ma) indicating result or state
• Derived from πληρόω (plēroō), “to fill”

D – Defining Meanings

• Fullness
• That which fills
• Completeness

For compound words: Not a compound word, but contains productive suffix -μα indicating result

Translation Options:

• Fullness – Emphasizes completeness
• Sum total – Highlights comprehensive nature
• Complete expression – Captures manifestation aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τελείωσις (teleiōsis) /tel-ay-OH-sis/ – completion, perfection
  See G5050
• πλησμονή (plēsmonē) /place-mo-NAY/ – satisfaction, fullness
  See G4140

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

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

Examples:
Nominative/Accusative: πλήρωμα
Genitive: πληρώματος
Dative: πληρώματι
Plural: πληρώματα

• Cross-references to verb πληρόω and adjective πλήρης

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes theological significance. Thayer’s notes range from practical to theological usage. LSJ documents secular usage. Vine’s highlights Christological applications. Strong’s connects it to completion concepts. LEH provides Septuagint usage patterns. Moulton and Milligan cite commercial and religious examples.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made.” Matthew 9:16

Additional References:
Mark 2:21, John 1:16, Romans 11:25, Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:23, Colossians 1:19

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πλήρωμα reveals the complete sufficiency of Christ and His church. In Him dwells all divine fullness, and through Him, the church receives this fullness. This word proclaims that in Christ we find complete satisfaction and that His church manifests His fullness to the world.

D – Did You Know?

1. Gnostic writers later misappropriated this term for their concept of divine emanations.
2. Early Christian baptismal liturgies used it to describe spiritual completion.
3. The term influenced theological vocabulary about Christ’s two natures.

Strong’s G4138: A noun expressing complete fullness or that which fills, particularly significant in theological contexts describing the fullness of deity in Christ and the church as the manifestation of His fullness. Ranges from practical to profound theological usage.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: fullness, completeness, Christ’s deity, church, Paul’s epistles, Colossians, Ephesians, biblical Greek, divine presence, theological terms, completion, manifestation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​