UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to abound, to be in abundance, to be a lot of, to exist in a large quantity, to be left over

Semantic entry: 59.52

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Abundance, Excess, Sparing

Definition: (derivative of περισσός [source selector 000002][c] ‘abundant,’ 59.51: περισσός) to be or exist in abundance, with the implication of being considerably more than what would be expected

Notes: In a number of languages it is extremely difficult to find an equivalent of ‘to abound.’ Moreover, it is not at all easy to find an expression of quantity which seems to go satisfactorily with ‘the sufferings of Christ.’ In some languages the closest equivalent of this expression in RV CO2 1:5 · LV CO2 1:5 · Read together CO2 1:5 may be ‘for just as we suffer a great deal, even as Christ suffered.’ It would be wrong, however, to use an expression for ‘suffering’ which would suggest vicarious suffering. |The rendering of περισσεύω in RV ACT 16:5 · LV ACT 16:5 · Read together ACT 16:5 as ‘to grow’ results from the expression τῷ ἀριθμῷ. In a number of languages the equivalent would be ‘the number of people in the churches increased every day’ or ‘how many believers there were was more and more each day.’

Sense 2: to provide in abundance, to provide a great deal of, to cause to be abundant

Semantic entry: 59.54

Semantic domains: Quantity

Subdomains: Abundance, Excess, Sparing

Definition: to cause something to exist in an abundance

Notes: In some languages, however, it may be very strange to speak of having or receiving an abundance of grace. The closest equivalent for RV EPH 1:7 · LV EPH 1:7 · Read together EPH 1:7-RV EPH 1:8 · LV EPH 1:8 · Read together EPH 1:8 may be ‘grace which he caused us to experience abundantly’ or ‘grace which he showed to us in an abundant way.’

Sense 3: to have (much) more than enough, to have an overabundance

Semantic entry: 57.24

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Have Sufficient

Definition: to have such an abundance as to be more than sufficient

Sense 4: very great, excessive, extremely, emphatic, surpassing, all the more, much greater

Semantic entry: 78.31

Semantic domains: Degree

Subdomains: More Than, Less Than [Comparative Degree]

Definition: a degree which is considerably in excess of some point on an implied or explicit scale of extent

Notes: In RV PHP 1:9 · LV PHP 1:9 · Read together PHP 1:9 it is clear that μᾶλλον καὶ μᾶλλον (see 78.28: μᾶλλον / 78.28: μέγας / 78.28: πολύς) serves to emphasize the degree expressed in περισσεύω. The verb περισσεύητε in RV TH1 4:1 · LV TH1 4:1 · Read together TH1 4:1 may be regarded as a kind of substitute verb referring to περιπατεῖτε and indicating essentially a matter of degree. This is, of course, further reinforced by μᾶλλον (78.28: μᾶλλον / 78.28: μέγας / 78.28: πολύς).

Sense 5: to cause to be intense, to cause to be more, to cause to grow

Semantic entry: 78.32

Semantic domains: Degree

Subdomains: More Than, Less Than [Comparative Degree]

Definition: to cause an increase in the degree of some experience or state{N:001}

Notes: It would seem that πλεονάσαι and περισσεύσαι in RV TH1 3:12 · LV TH1 3:12 · Read together TH1 3:12 simply reinforce the meaning of intense degree. It is assumed that these two expressions are not completely synonymous, but it is difficult to determine precisely how they may contrast. It may simply be that περισσεύσαι is somewhat more emphatic.

Sense 6: to have a greater benefit, to experience a superior advantage

Semantic entry: 65.47

Semantic domains: Value

Subdomains: Advantageous, Not Advantageous

Definition: to experience superior benefit or advantage, implying some type of comparison

Notes: In indicating ‘a superior advantage’ it may be necessary to be quite specific about the basis for the comparison. For example, in RV CO1 8:8 · LV CO1 8:8 · Read together CO1 8:8 it may be necessary to translate as ‘if we do eat, we will be no better off than if we did not eat,’ and in RV ROM 3:9 · LV ROM 3:9 · Read together ROM 3:9 one may translate ‘what then; are we decidedly better off than the others are?’