### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word G5235 (hyperbállō) is a compound verb formed from ὑπέρ (hyper), meaning "over, beyond," and βάλλω (ballō), meaning "to throw." Literally, it signifies "to throw beyond the usual mark" or "to cast over." Figuratively, and as it is predominantly used in the New Testament, it conveys the sense of "to surpass," "to excel," "to exceed," or "to be preeminent." The active participle form, which is the sole grammatical manifestation in its biblical occurrences, emphasizes an ongoing, active state of exceeding or surpassing. It does not merely denote greatness, but a quality that goes beyond all measure, comparison, or expectation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G5235 (hyperbállō) appears five times in the New Testament, exclusively in the Pauline epistles, consistently emphasizing the immeasurable and incomparable nature of divine attributes or actions:
* In [[Ephesians 1:19]], Paul prays that believers would know "what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe." Here, G5235 describes the power of God, indicating that it is not merely great, but possesses a quality that surpasses all human comprehension or expectation, specifically as demonstrated in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ.
* [[Ephesians 2:7]] speaks of God's intention "to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." The "exceeding riches" of grace underscore the boundless, overflowing nature of God's unmerited favor, far beyond what humanity could ever deserve or imagine.
* In [[Ephesians 3:19]], Paul prays that believers "may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge." Here, the love of Christ is described as "surpassing knowledge," indicating that its vastness and profundity extend beyond the limits of human intellectual grasp, inviting a experiential understanding that transcends mere cognition.
* [[2 Corinthians 3:10]] states, "For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excelleth." This verse contrasts the fading glory of the Old Covenant (the Law) with the surpassing glory of the New Covenant (the Spirit), mediated through Christ. The glory of the New Covenant is not just greater, but so superior that it renders the former glory as "no glory" in comparison.
* Finally, in [[2 Corinthians 9:14]], the recipients of the Corinthians' generous giving are said to be "longing for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you." This "exceeding grace" refers to the manifestation of God's grace through the Corinthians' liberality, which is so profound and evident that it elicits praise and longing from others.
Across these contexts, G5235 consistently points to an attribute or action of God that is not merely excellent, but *supremely* excellent, transcending all ordinary measures and comparisons.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "surpassing" or "exceeding" is often reinforced by other Greek terms in the New Testament. A closely related noun is `{{G5247}}` (hyperbolē), which means "excellence, surpassing quality," and is used to describe the "surpassing greatness" of Christ's power ([[Ephesians 1:19]]) or "an exceedingly great" weight of glory ([[2 Corinthians 4:17]]). Other words that convey a sense of abundance or greatness include `{{G4052}}` (perisseuō), "to abound, to be in excess"; `{{G4053}}` (perisseia), "abundance, superfluity"; and `{{G4183}}` (polys), "much, many, great." The prefix ὑπερ- (hyper-) itself is significant, appearing in many compounds (e.g., `{{G5242}}` hyperbállo in some textual variants, `{{G5249}}` hyperboleō, `{{G5243}}` hyperánō, `{{G5241}}` hyperaíromai) to denote "over," "beyond," or "in excess," underscoring the idea of transcendence and superiority. The theological concepts of divine omnipotence, infinite grace, and the preeminence of Christ are deeply intertwined with the meaning of G5235.
### Theological Significance
The consistent use of G5235 (hyperbállō) in reference to God's attributes—His power, grace, and love—and the glory of the new covenant, carries profound theological significance. It elevates the divine to a realm of immeasurable and incomparable excellence, far beyond human capacity to fully grasp or define.
* **Divine Transcendence:** The word emphasizes that God's attributes are not merely quantitatively great, but qualitatively superior, transcending all earthly or human standards. His power is not just strong, but "exceedingly great"; His grace is not just sufficient, but "exceeding riches."
* **The Unfathomable Nature of God's Love:** The love of Christ "surpasses knowledge," indicating that it is not fully comprehendible by human intellect, inviting a deeper, experiential knowledge that transforms the believer.
* **The Superiority of the New Covenant:** The "surpassing glory" of the new covenant in Christ highlights its absolute preeminence over the old, demonstrating the finality and ultimate revelation of God's redemptive plan in Jesus.
* **Awe and Worship:** The term evokes a sense of awe and wonder, inviting believers to marvel at the boundless and inexhaustible nature of God's being and His work in salvation. It calls for a recognition that God's actions are always beyond expectation, exceeding all human measures of goodness, power, and wisdom.
### Summary
G5235 (hyperbállō) is a powerful Greek verb that means "to surpass," "to excel," or "to exceed beyond measure." Its consistent use in the New Testament, particularly in Paul's epistles, serves to describe the unparalleled and immeasurable attributes of God—His "exceeding greatness" of power, the "exceeding riches" of His grace, and the "love of Christ which surpasses knowledge." It also highlights the "surpassing glory" of the New Covenant over the Old. The word underscores the divine transcendence and the unfathomable nature of God's character and actions, inviting believers into a posture of awe, worship, and profound gratitude for a God whose goodness and power always G5235 all human comprehension and expectation.
TRV