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G1603 · Greek · New Testament
ἐκπληρόω
Ekpleroo
Verb
To fulfill completely, bring to full completion

Definition

The Greek verb ekpleroo is an intensified compound of ek (fully, completely) and pleroo (to fulfill, fill), meaning to bring to complete fulfillment. It appears only once in the NT (Acts 13:33), where Paul announces that God has "fully fulfilled" for them the promise made to the fathers by raising Jesus from the dead.

Usage & Theological Significance

Ekpleroo's single NT occurrence is in one of Paul's most comprehensive sermons (Acts 13:16-41). He traces Israel's history from the Exodus to David, then declares: God has fully, completely fulfilled the ancient promise by raising Jesus. This is the theology of fulfillment — every covenant, every prophecy, every type was pointing forward to a completion that finally arrived in Christ's resurrection. The prefix ek intensifies: not partial fulfillment, not near-fulfillment, but complete fulfillment. The resurrection of Jesus is the fullness of all that God promised to Abraham, David, and the prophets.

Key Bible Verses

Acts 13:33 He has fulfilled this completely for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: 'You are my son; today I have become your father.'
Luke 4:21 He began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ.
Galatians 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

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External Resources

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