ὑπερεκχύνω

I pour out so that it overflows

Definition

The verb ὑπερεκχύνω means 'to pour out so that it overflows' or 'to cause to overflow abundantly.' It is a compound word that intensifies the idea of pouring, emphasizing a superabundant, overflowing measure. In its single New Testament occurrence in Luke 6:38, it describes the generous, pressed-down, shaken-together, and overflowing return that God gives to those who are generous themselves. The word carries a sense of exceeding capacity, where the blessing is not just full but spills over the edges.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 6:38. It appears in Jesus's teaching on generosity and judgment: 'Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.' Here, ὑπερεκχύνω ('running over,' 'overflowing') vividly illustrates the extravagant, superabundant blessing God promises in return for a generous heart. The context is ethical instruction within the Sermon on the Plain.

Etymology

Derived from the combination of the preposition ὑπέρ (hyper), meaning 'over,' 'above,' or 'beyond,' and the verb ἐκχύνω (ekchynō), meaning 'to pour out' or 'to shed.' The prefix ὑπέρ intensifies the action, transforming the base meaning from simply 'pour out' to 'pour out beyond measure' or 'overflow.' It is a vivid, metaphorical term for abundance.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates God's principle of extravagant grace and blessing in response to human generosity. It moves beyond mere reciprocity to superabundance, reflecting God's character as a lavish giver (James 1:5). Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of Luke 6:38 by highlighting that God's economy operates on overflow, not just equal exchange, encouraging believers toward radical, trusting generosity.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, measuring grain was a common marketplace activity. A 'good measure' involved pressing the grain down, shaking the container, and letting it overflow to ensure the buyer received a generous, full portion. Jesus uses this culturally familiar image of commercial integrity and generosity to illustrate the far greater spiritual principle of God's overflowing blessing. The 'lap' (κόλπος, kolpos) refers to the fold of a garment used as a pouch to carry goods.

ἐκχύνω (ekchynō, G1632) — The root verb meaning simply 'to pour out' or 'shed,' used of liquids like blood or the Spirit, without the connotation of superabundance. πληρόω (plēroō, G4137) — Means 'to fill' or 'fulfill,' focusing on reaching capacity, but lacks the overflowing, excess imagery of ὑπερεκχύνω. περισσεύω (perisseuō, G4052) — Means 'to abound' or 'to have an excess,' sharing the concept of abundance but from the perspective of quantity rather than the specific action of pouring out.

Word Details

Scripture References