☀️
← Back to Lexicon
G4053 · Greek · New Testament
περισσός
perissos
Adjective
exceeding, abundant, more than sufficient, extraordinary, superfluous

Definition

Perissos (G4053) means exceeding, abundant, more than enough, extraordinary, superfluous. It comes from peri ('around, beyond') and conveys the idea of surpassing normal measure. The related adverb perissōs and comparative perissoteron/perissoteros intensify the sense: even more abundantly. The verb perisseuō (G4052, 'to abound, overflow, exceed') is its active form. Together this word family appears over 100 times in the NT.

Usage & Theological Significance

Perissos captures the overflowing, extravagant nature of God's grace. Jesus came to give life 'abundantly' (perisson) — 'more than enough' life (John 10:10). Paul prays that love would abound 'still more and more' (perisseue eti mallon, Philippians 1:9). Grace abounds where sin abounded: 'Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more' (huperepereisseusen, Romans 5:20) — the hyper-compound stacking both huper and perissos together for maximum force.

The theological implication is that God does not deal in minimums. He does not save barely enough, love moderately, or equip sparingly. Ephesians 3:20 praises God 'who is able to do far more abundantly (huperekperissou) than all that we ask or think.' The Christian life is not about scraping by but about living from the overflow of divine abundance — which is the meaning of stewardship: managing God's excess grace for the flourishing of others.

Key Bible Verses

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Romans 5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied.

Related Words

External Resources

🌙
☀️