Lexicon
περισσεύω
perisseuō
G4052
G:V Greek

to exceed

39
Occurrences
12
Books
Greek
Language

perisseuo describes exceeding what is needed—abounding in qualities or work, having surplus, or surpassing a comparison.

The verb most often describes an increase or fullness that extends into a quality, gift, response, or work; it also marks material surplus or leftovers, and in several comparisons denotes going beyond another measure.

Senses in use

  1. Abound in a quality, gift, or work · dominant

    Present active forms occur in exhortations and prayers concerning love, hope, good work, thankfulness, and conduct. In 1 Thessalonians 4:10 the APB renders the appeal to the brothers as “abound more,” while 2 Corinthians 9:8 places the term in the clause about grace and every good work; 1 Corinthians 15:58 speaks of being “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

  2. Remain as surplus after need is met · common

    Participial forms describe what is left after people have eaten or what donors give from what is beyond their need. In Matthew 14:20 the APB renders the clause about fragments that “remained,” and John 6:13 describes baskets filled with fragments “left over”; Luke 21:4 contrasts giving from abundance with a woman's deficiency.

  3. Surpass a stated comparison · occasional

    The verb can set one measure above another in an explicit comparison. In Matthew 5:20 the APB renders righteousness as needing to “exceed” that of the scribes and Pharisees, and 2 Corinthians 3:9 contrasts one ministry with another “in glory.”

  4. Have plentiful provision or resources · occasional

    The term can describe persons or households as having more than immediate lack. In Luke 15:17 the APB has hired workers with “bread to spare,” while Philippians 4:18 places the first-person present form beside being filled after receiving gifts.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously renders the clauses with “abound,” “overflowed,” “increased,” “exceed,” “remained,” “left over,” and “bread to spare.” These renderings indicate the verse contexts rather than fixed English equivalents for each occurrence.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture