Surpassing Glory: ὑπερβάλλω (Strong’s G5235: hyperballō) Reveals Divine Excellence

Strong’s G5235: A compound verb combining ὑπέρ (beyond) and βάλλω (to throw/cast), meaning “to surpass, excel, exceed.” Used in the New Testament to describe God’s surpassing glory, transcendent power, and exceeding grace, emphasizing divine qualities that surpass human comprehension.

U – Unveiling the Word

The verb ὑπερβάλλω carries profound theological significance in its expression of that which surpasses normal bounds. As a compound word combining “beyond” (ὑπέρ) with “to throw” (βάλλω), it describes something that exceeds all measurement or comparison. In the New Testament, Paul uses this term to describe divine attributes and actions that transcend human understanding – God’s glory, power, and grace. The early church recognized this word as expressing the incomparable nature of God’s qualities and actions. Today, this word continues to remind us that God’s attributes and works exceed our ability to fully comprehend or measure them.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ὑπερβάλλω, hyperballō, /hy.per.bal.lō/
• Detailed pronunciation: hü-per-bäl’-lō (where ü as in German über, ä as in father)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: ὑπέρ (hyper) meaning “beyond”
• Root: βάλλω (ballō) meaning “to throw, cast”
• Combined meaning: “to throw beyond, exceed”

D – Defining Meanings

• To surpass
• To excel
• To exceed measure
• To go beyond

For compound words: The prefix ὑπέρ adds the concept of “beyond” to βάλλω’s basic meaning of throwing, creating the sense of exceeding all bounds.

Translation Options:

• “to surpass utterly” – emphasizes complete transcendence
• “to excel beyond measure” – highlights degree of superiority
• “to exceed infinitely” – captures boundless nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὑπερέχω (hyperechō) /hy.per.e.khō/ – to hold above – See G5242
• περισσεύω (perisseuō) /pe.ris.seu.ō/ – to abound – See G4052
• ὑπερφρονέω (hyperphroneō) /hy.per.phro.ne.ō/ – to think too highly – See G5252

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Features of this verb:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active/Participle
• Mood: Indicative/Participle
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive/Continuous

The verb can appear as:

• ὑπερβάλλω – I surpass
• ὑπερβάλλων – surpassing (participle)
• ὑπερβάλλουσα – surpassing (feminine participle)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexicons provide rich insight into ὑπερβάλλω’s meaning and usage. BDAG emphasizes its use in describing divine qualities that transcend human comprehension. Thayer’s notes its development from physical surpassing to spiritual excellence. LSJ traces its classical usage in contexts of superiority and excellence. Vine’s highlights its particular usage in describing God’s attributes. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of the word and its implications of complete transcendence. Moulton and Milligan document its use in expressing superiority in various contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
2 Corinthians 3:10: “For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses [ὑπερβάλλω] it.”

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 9:14, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:19

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word ὑπερβάλλω powerfully expresses the transcendent nature of God’s attributes and actions. Paul uses it to describe divine glory, power, and grace that exceed all human measurement or comparison. This word proclaims the good news by showing that God’s provisions for His people – His grace, power, and love in the Messiah – surpass all human need or expectation. It reminds us that in the Messiah, we experience divine qualities that transcend natural understanding.

D – Did You Know?

• ὑπερβάλλω appears five times in the New Testament
• Four of its occurrences are in Paul’s letters to the Ephesians
• The word’s participial form is often used to describe God’s attributes

Strong’s G5235: A compound verb combining ὑπέρ (beyond) and βάλλω (to throw/cast), meaning “to surpass, excel, exceed.” Used in the New Testament to describe God’s surpassing glory, transcendent power, and exceeding grace, emphasizing divine qualities that surpass human comprehension.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: surpassing, excellence, transcendence, divine attributes, God’s glory, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, divine power, grace, infinity​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​