ὑστερέω

hysteréō /hoos-ter-eh'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom ὕστερος
Meaningto be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient)
KJV usagecome behind (short), be destitute, fail, lack, suffer need, (be in) want, be the worse.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word hysteréō, represented by G5302, conveys the idea of being inferior, falling short, or being deficient. It appears 17 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning ranges from a literal, material want, such as lacking food or money, to a profound spiritual state of falling short of a divine standard.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, G5302 describes various forms of lack. In the story of the prodigal son, after spending all his money, he "began to be in want" Luke 15:14. At the wedding in Cana, the disciples informed Jesus, "when they wanted wine" John 2:3. The word also addresses spiritual conditions. Paul uses it to declare that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. It is also used in a comparative sense, as when Paul states he was not "a whit behind the very chiefest apostles" 2 Corinthians 11:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words help clarify the concept of deficiency and need:

  • G5303 hystérēma (a deficit; specially, poverty): This noun form is directly derived from G5302 and refers to the lack itself. In 2 Corinthians 11:9, Paul explains that when he wanted G5302, the "that which was lacking" G5303 was supplied by others.
  • G3042 limós (a scarcity of food): This term for famine often provides the context for being in want. Luke 15:14 connects the two directly, stating a mighty famine G3042 arose, leading the son to be in want G5302.
  • G3983 peináō (to famish; figuratively, to crave): This word for being hungry is used in parallel with G5302. In Philippians 4:12, Paul speaks of being instructed on how "to be hungry" G3983 and how "to suffer need" G5302.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G5302 is significant, highlighting the contrast between human insufficiency and divine provision.

  • Universal Sinfulness: The word's use in Romans 3:23 is foundational to the doctrine of sin. It establishes that every person, without exception, has come short of God's perfect standard of glory, necessitating grace.
  • Spiritual Diligence: Believers are warned not to fail of the grace of God Hebrews 12:15 or come short of His promised rest Hebrews 4:1. This implies that a state of spiritual lack is a danger that requires vigilance and faith to avoid.
  • Material vs. Spiritual Wealth: Jesus tells the rich young man that he still lackest one thing, demonstrating that material abundance does not equate to spiritual completeness Mark 10:21. Conversely, when the disciples were sent out with nothing, they confirmed they lacked nothing, showing God's provision Luke 22:35.

Summary

In summary, G5302 is a crucial term that defines the human condition of "lacking." It moves from the tangible experience of hunger and poverty to the universal spiritual reality of falling short of God's glory. The word illustrates a core biblical principle: humanity is in a state of need, whether recognized or not, and true sufficiency is found only through divine grace and provision.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Present Passive Infinitive 3×
  • Perfect Active Infinitive 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Aorist Active Participle Genitive Singular Masculine 1×
  • Aorist Passive Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Passive Indicative 1st Plural 1×
  • Present Passive Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Present Passive Participle Dative Singular Neuter 1×

+ 1 rarer form

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Dative
The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Neuter
Neuter grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (3 verses).

1
Matthew
1
Mark
2
Luke
1
John
1
Romans
3
1 Corinthians
3
2 Corinthians
1
Philippians
3
Hebrews

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