περισσῶς

greatly, exceedingly

Definition

The adverb περισσῶς means 'exceedingly,' 'greatly,' or 'abundantly,' expressing a high degree or intensity. It often describes an action or state that goes beyond the ordinary, such as the crowd's vehement shouting in Matthew 27:23 or the disciples' extreme astonishment in Mark 10:26. In a more positive sense, it can denote abundance, as seen in Paul's prayer to see the Thessalonians 'exceedingly' in 1 Thessalonians 3:10. The word consistently conveys a sense of surplus or intensity, whether in emotional reaction or earnest desire.

Biblical Usage

περισσῶς is used five times in the New Testament, primarily in narrative and epistolary contexts to intensify verbs. It appears in the Gospels to describe strong emotional responses (Matthew 27:23, Mark 10:26) and in Acts 26:11 to depict Paul's former 'vehement' persecution. In Paul's letters (1 Thessalonians 3:10, 5:13), it expresses earnest, abundant desire or exhortation, showing its use in both negative and positive emphatic statements across different genres.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition περί (peri), meaning 'around' or 'beyond,' combined with an adverbial suffix. The root suggests the idea of going beyond a boundary or exceeding a norm. It is related to the adjective περισσός (perissos, G4053), meaning 'abundant' or 'superfluous,' and the verb περισσεύω (perisseuō, G4052), 'to abound.' The development emphasizes surplus, excess, or superiority in degree.

Semantic Range

περισσῶς highlights the intensity and abundance inherent in biblical faith and experience. It underscores the fervency of human responses to divine events, such as the crowd's cry at Jesus' trial (Matthew 27:23) or the disciples' awe at God's power (Mark 10:26). In Paul's usage, it reflects the overflowing nature of Christian love and pastoral care (1 Thessalonians 3:10), pointing to a faith that is not minimal but exceeds ordinary limits, enriching our understanding of wholehearted devotion and earnest prayer.

In the Greco-Roman world, expressions of excess or abundance were valued in rhetoric and emotion, often to persuade or emphasize. περισσῶς fits this cultural pattern, used to convey strong public reactions (as in the trial narratives) or earnest personal appeals (as in letters). Its understanding aligns with modern intensity but may carry a stronger connotation of going beyond what is necessary or expected, reflecting a cultural appreciation for surpassing norms in speech and action.

σφόδρα (sphodra, G4970) — also means 'exceedingly' or 'vehemently,' often interchangeable but can imply more sudden or violent intensity; λίαν (lian, G3029) — means 'very' or 'exceedingly,' a general intensifier without the connotation of surplus; ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ (hyperekperissou, G5228) — a strengthened compound meaning 'exceedingly abundantly beyond,' used for supreme superabundance (e.g., Ephesians 3:20).

Word Details

Scripture References