Understanding ἀνταναπληρόω (antanaplēroō) Strong’s G466: The Profound Mystery of Filling Up What is Lacking in the Messiah’s Afflictions

Pronunciation Guide: ahn-tah-nah-play-RO-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G466: A rare and theologically rich compound verb meaning “to fill up in turn” or “to fill up correspondingly.” It carries the nuanced idea of completing something that remains unfinished, specifically in relation to reciprocal relationships or corresponding obligations. In its New Testament context, it uniquely describes the mysterious relationship between the Messiah’s sufferings and those of His followers.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from three elements: ἀντί (anti, “in place of”), ἀνά (ana, “up”), and πληρόω (plēroō, “to fill”)
• Primary usage in teaching/doctrinal passages
• Extremely rare in classical Greek literature
• Found only once in the New Testament
• Used in contexts of vicarious or corresponding completion

ἀνταναπληρόω Morphology:

• ἀνταναπληρῶ (present active indicative) – I fill up in turn
• ἀνταναπληρόω (present active infinitive) – to fill up in turn
• ἀνταναπληρῶσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to have filled up in turn
• ἀνταναπληρῶν (present active participle) – filling up in turn

Origin & History

The word ἀνταναπληρόω represents one of the most intricate compound verbs in biblical Greek, combining three distinct prepositional and verbal elements. Its rarity in classical Greek literature makes its appearance in Colossians 1:24 particularly significant. Demosthenes uses a similar form in his speech “On the Crown” (18.15) when discussing civic duties being fulfilled in turn by different citizens.

The compound structure suggests careful theological crafting, possibly by Paul himself, to express a profound concept about the relationship between the Messiah’s sufferings and those of His followers. The word’s construction demonstrates the precision of Koine Greek in expressing complex theological concepts through compound forms.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To fill up what is lacking by taking one’s proper turn
• To complete a corresponding portion in a reciprocal relationship
• To supply what is missing in accordance with a divine pattern
• To fulfill one’s share in a larger whole

ἀνταναπληρόω Translation Options:

• “Fill up in turn” – Emphasizes the sequential and reciprocal nature
• “Complete what is lacking” – Focuses on the supplementary aspect
• “Supply correspondingly” – Highlights the matching or proportional element
• “Fill up in response to” – Stresses the reactive or consequential dimension

Biblical Usage

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀνταναπληρόω in Colossians 1:24 presents one of the most challenging and profound theological statements in Scripture. Paul writes, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up (ἀνταναπληρῶ) what is lacking in the Messiah’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the church.”

This unique usage suggests a carefully chosen term to express a deep mystery about the relationship between the Messiah’s completed work of redemption and the ongoing participation of believers in His sufferings. The prefix ἀντί suggests correspondence rather than substitution, indicating that Paul’s sufferings don’t add to the atoning work of the Messiah but rather participate in its ongoing expression.

• “I am filling up what is lacking in the Messiah’s afflictions [ἀνταναπληρῶ]” Colossians 1:24

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the concept of reciprocal obligations was deeply embedded in social relationships. The compound structure of ἀνταναπληρόω would have resonated with this cultural understanding of mutual responsibilities and corresponding duties. The term draws on the Hebrew concept of שׁוּתָפוּת (shutafut), or partnership, where one party’s actions complement and complete the other’s.

This connects to the rabbinic concept of צַעַר הַשְּׁכִינָה (tza’ar hashechinah) – the “pain of the Divine Presence” – which teaches that God Himself participates in Israel’s sufferings. This cultural background illuminates Paul’s understanding of believers’ participation in the Messiah’s afflictions.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀνταναπληρόω in Colossians 1:24 presents a profound theological mystery about the nature of the Messiah’s ongoing work through His body, the Church. It suggests that while His atoning work is completely finished, there remains a predetermined measure of sufferings that His body must undergo in spreading the Gospel and building up the Church.

This word encapsulates the mystery of believers’ union with the Messiah, where their sufferings are not additional to His but are rather His own sufferings continuing through them. This concept maintains both the uniqueness and completeness of the Messiah’s atoning work while affirming the genuine significance of believers’ sufferings in God’s redemptive plan.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀνταναπληρόω transforms our perspective on suffering in the believer’s life. Rather than viewing our trials as meaningless or purely personal, we can see them as participation in something greater – the ongoing ministry of the Messiah through His body. This word reminds us that our sufferings for His sake are not random but are part of God’s sovereign plan to spread the Gospel and build His Church.

When we suffer for righteousness’ sake, we can rejoice knowing that we are filling up our portion in the Messiah’s afflictions, not adding to His atoning work but participating in its application and proclamation to the world.

Related Words

• συναναπληρόω (synanaplēroō) – to fill up together, suggesting joint completion rather than corresponding completion See G4788
• προσαναπληρόω (prosanaplēroō) – to fill up additionally, emphasizing supplementary addition rather than corresponding fulfillment See G4322
• ἀναπληρόω (anaplēroō) – to fill up completely, lacking the reciprocal element of ἀνταναπληρόω See G378
• πληρόω (plēroō) – to fill or fulfill, the basic verb without prefixes indicating correspondence See G4137

Did you Know?

• The term ἀνταναπληρόω is one of the longest compound verbs in the New Testament, containing three prepositions/prefixes (ἀντί + ἀνά + πληρόω), which is extremely rare in Greek literature.
• Modern Greek still uses compound words with ἀντί to express reciprocal actions, though ἀνταναπληρόω itself has evolved to mean “to substitute for” or “to act as a deputy,” showing how language meaning can shift over time.
• The concept expressed by ἀνταναπληρόω in Colossians 1:24 has been debated by theologians for centuries, with interpretations ranging from mystical participation in the Messiah’s sufferings to the completion of a predetermined measure of church afflictions before His return.

Remember This

ἀνταναπληρόω reveals the profound mystery that in our sufferings for the Gospel, we are not merely imitating the Messiah but are actually participating in His ongoing work through His body, the Church.