Abounding Super-Abundance By Mark Mayberry 10/17/2010 Introduction Christians receive material and spiritual blessings in super-abundance. This concept is communicated via several related Greek words. The Greek verb perisseuō means to be over and above, to be in abundance, abound, to cause something to exist in abundance, cause to abound. It was used by the Greeks of a flower going from a bud to full bloom. The related feminine noun perisseia, derived from the aforementioned verb, means superfluity, i.e., that which is beyond the regular or expected amount, a surplus or abundance. It was used by the Greeks to describe an excess of ear wax. Finally, for the sake of our present study, consider the neuter noun perisseuma, also derived from the aforementioned verb, which means superfluity, i.e., a condition of great plenty, abundance, fullness; that which remains above and beyond. [See Abounding Super-Abundance (Greek Word Study).docx for more information.] The human heart may be filled with good or evil (Matt. 12:34-35; Luke 6:45; James 1:21). Is your life filled with the blessings of God, or the accursedness of sin? Matthew 12:34-35... 34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of *which *fills [4051] the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. Luke 6:45... 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that *which *fills [4051] his heart. James 1:21... 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that *remains [4050] of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21... 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and *overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (NKJV) 1
Blessings that We Abundantly Receive Material Blessings The example of the leftover fragments demonstrates Christ s ability to provide (Matt. 14:20; 15:37; Mark 8:8; Luke 9:17; John 6:12, 13). Matthew 14:20... 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was *left *over [4052] of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. Matthew 15:37... 37 And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was *left *over [4052] of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. Mark 8:8... 8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets *full of *what was *left *over [4051] of the broken pieces. Luke 9:17... 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had *left *over [4052] were picked up, twelve baskets full. John 6:12... 12 When they were filled, He said to His disciples, Gather up the *leftover [4052] fragments so that nothing will be lost. John 6:13... 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were *left *over [4052] by those who had eaten. The example of the prodigal son demonstrates God s abundant provision for His own (Luke 15:17). Luke 15:17... 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, How many of my father s hired men *have *more *than *enough [4052] bread, but I am dying here with hunger! However, let us remember the need for balance and contentment (Luke 12:15; 1 Cor. 8:8; Phil. 4:12, 18). Luke 12:15... 15 Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one *has an *abundance [4052] does his life consist of his possessions. 1 Corinthians 8:8... 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the *better [4052] if we do eat. Philippians 4:12... 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to *live in *prosperity [4052]; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of *having *abundance [4052] and suffering need. 2
Philippians 4:18... 18 But I have received everything in full and *have an *abundance [4052]; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. Spiritual Blessings Comfort God abundantly provides comfort (2 Cor. 1:5). 2 Corinthians 1:5... 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in *abundance, so also our comfort is *abundant [4052] through Christ. Grace God abundantly grants grace (Rom. 5:15, 17; Eph. 1:8). Romans 5:15... 15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, *abound [4052] to the many. Romans 5:17... 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the *abundance [4050] of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:8... 8 which He *lavished [4052] on us. In all wisdom and insight Hope God abundantly bestows hope (Rom. 15:13). Romans 15:13... 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will *abound [4052] in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Truth God abundantly reveals truth (Rom. 3:7; 2 Cor. 3:9). Romans 3:7... 7 But if through my lie the truth of God *abounded [4052] to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 2 Corinthians 3:9... 9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness *abound [4052] in glory. 3
Blessings that We Abundantly Give Edification We should abundantly share the gift of edification (1 Cor. 14:12; 2 Cor. 10:15; Phil. 1:25-26). 1 Corinthians 14:12... 12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to *abound [4052] for the edification of the church. 2 Corinthians 10:15... 15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even *more [4050] by you, Philippians 1:25-26... 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may *abound [4052] in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Benevolence The poor widow gave more abundantly than did the rich men who cast into the treasury of their surplus (Mark 12:44; Luke 21:4). Mark 12:44... 44 for they all put in out of their *surplus [4052], but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on. Luke 21:4... 4 for they all out of their *surplus [4052] put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on. In like manner, we should abundantly contribute to the needs of the saints (2 Cor. 8:2, 7, 14; 9:8, 12). 2 Corinthians 8:2... 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their *abundance [4050] of joy and their deep poverty *overflowed [4052] in the wealth of their liberality. 2 Corinthians 8:7... 7 But just as you *abound [4052] in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you *abound [4052] in this gracious work also. 2 Corinthians 8:14... 14 at this present time your *abundance [4051] being a supply for their need, so that their *abundance [4051] also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; 2 Corinthians 9:8... 8 And God is able to *make all grace *abound [4052] to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an *abundance [4052] for every good deed; 4
2 Corinthians 9:12... 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also *overflowing [4052] through many thanksgivings to God. Love We should abundantly share the gift of love (Phil. 1:9; 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:10). Philippians 1:9... 9 And this I pray, that your love may *abound [4052] still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 1 Thessalonians 3:12... 12 and may the Lord *cause you to increase and *abound [4052] in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 1 Thessalonians 4:10... 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to *excel [4052] still more, Thanksgiving We should abundantly share the gift of thanksgiving (2 Cor. 4:15; Col. 2:6-7). 2 Corinthians 4:15... 15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may *cause the giving of thanks to *abound [4052] to the glory of God. Colossians 2:6-7... 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and *overflowing [4052] with gratitude. Work We should abundantly labor in the vineyard of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58). 1 Corinthians 15:58... 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always *abounding [4052] in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. Conclusion Have you rendered full obedience to the gospel of Christ (Matt. 5:20; 1 Thess. 4:1)? Matthew 5:20... 20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness *surpasses [4052] that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 5
1 Thessalonians 4:1... 1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you *excel [4052] still more. Are you growing as an individual Christian (Matt. 13:12; 25:29)? Matthew 13:12... 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will *have an *abundance [4052]; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Matthew 25:29... 29 For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will *have an *abundance [4052]; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Are we growing as a local church (Acts 16:5)? Acts 16:5... 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were *increasing [4052] in number daily. 6