G5252
ὑπερφρονέω
to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. be vain or arrogant
Transliteration
hyperphronéōPronunciation
(hoop-er-fron-eh'-o)Everything you need to know.
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to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. be vain or arrogant
ὑπερφρονέω(hyperphronéō)
Strong’s Definition
to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. be vain or arrogant
from G5228 (ὑπέρ) and G5426 (φρονέω);
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
No verses found containing this word study ID.
Strong's G5252: A compound verb combining hyper (beyond) with phroneo (to think), meaning to think too highly of oneself or to be haughty. Used in Pauline teaching to warn against pride and promote proper self-assessment within the body of the Messiah.
U- Unveiling the Word
ὑπερφρονέω (hyperphroneo) combines the intensifier ὑπέρ (hyper, "beyond") with φρονέω (phroneo, "to think"), creating a powerful term that describes thinking beyond appropriate bounds—specifically, having an inflated self-opinion. In Romans 12:3, Paul employs this word to warn against spiritual pride within the church community. The early church fathers frequently referenced this term when discussing the dangers of pride and the importance of humility in Christian leadership. Today, this word continues to serve as a crucial reminder of the need for proper self-assessment and humble service within the body of believers.
N - Necessary Information
Etymology:
D - Defining Meanings
For compound words:
Translation Options:
E - Exploring Similar Words
See G5426
See G5243
See G5187
R - Reviewing the Word's Morphology
As a verb, ὑπερφρονέω exhibits these features:
This word would morph in English as:
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S - Studying Lexicon Insights
The major lexicons provide significant insight into ὑπερφρονέω. BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of improper self-evaluation, particularly in religious settings. Thayer's highlights its connection to pride and arrogance, noting its contrast with proper Christian humility. LSJ documents its use in classical literature to describe those who overstepped their proper bounds. Vine's connects it to the broader New Testament teaching on humility. Strong's emphasizes its composition, highlighting how it describes thought that goes beyond proper limits. Moulton and Milligan note its appearance in ancient moral treatises warning against excessive pride.
T - Tracing the Scriptures
First appearance:
Romans 12:3: "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to [ὑπερφρονέω] think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."
Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.
A - Analyzing Classical Usage
N - Noteworthy Summary
ὑπερφρονέω serves as a crucial reminder of the danger of spiritual pride and the importance of proper self-assessment. Paul's use of this term in Romans perfectly balances the recognition of spiritual gifts with the need for humility. The good news is that in King Jesus, we find our true worth—not in self-exaltation, but in humble service to Him and His body. This word calls us to embrace the paradox that true greatness in God's kingdom comes through humility.
D - Did You Know?
Strong's G5252: A compound verb combining hyper (beyond) with phroneo (to think), meaning to think too highly of oneself or be haughty. Used in Pauline teaching to warn against pride and promote proper self-assessment within the body of the Messiah.
Part of speech: Verb
Tags: pride, humility, thinking, self-assessment, Romans, Pauline epistles, spiritual gifts, church life, Christian character, leadership, wisdom, discernment