[Greek] ὑπερβάλλω (hyperballō), [Latin] superare, [Latin] excellens, [Latin] eminens, [Latin] supereminens: to “throw beyond, to go too far, to surpass, to go beyond, to exceed, to overshoot; 2Cor.3:10, 2Cor.9:14. Eph.1:19, Eph.2:7, Eph.3:19
“Jumping the Shark”: When you know when you have gone too far.
Background information:
Jumping the shark: This is a popular idiom used to describe a moment when someone (or something), that was once popular or accepted, makes a misguided attempt at generating publicity or doing something new. However, this effort only serves to highlight its irrelevance. This action may often lead to becoming a gimmick (or absurdity). The phrase originates from an episode of Happy Days when Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water-skis. This phrase finds its ways in a wide variety of situations and contexts when someone or something “has gone too far.”
Greek Hellenism: This term means to go beyond, to excel, to stand out, to surpass, to exceed reasonable bounds, to exceed (go past) the time, to outdo, to overcome, to conquer, and to outbid.
Homer’s Iliad 23.843: “Sent the cast past the mark of all.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 5.3.21: “Agesilaus had already gone beyond the time.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.3.6: “So far surpassed in boldness and villany.”
Demosthenes’ On the Crown 18.275: “So far surpasses all mankind in savagery and malignity.”
Aeschlyus’ Persians 291: “This calamity is so great that is it not possible to say.”
Aristophanes’ Plutus 109: “Their wickedness knows no bounds.”
Demosthenes’ On the Chersones: “Stupid beyond measure.”
Thucydides’ Peloponessian War 2.35: “To suspect exaggeration if he hears anything above his own nature.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.124: “While the cities were being overtaken.”
Old Testament: This term means to go beyond, to surpass, to exceed, to be excessive, and to delay. Fear of the Lord surpasses all else. It possessor is beyond compare (Sir.25:11). He secured the priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver (2Macc.4:24). The craze for Hellenism and foreign customs reached such a pitch (2Macc.4:13). Enough has been said about the sacrificial meals and excessive cruelties (2Macc.7:42). Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day (Sir.5:7). Are the consolations of God not enough for you? (Job 15:11).
New Testament: This term means to surpass and being immeasurable. The Mosaic covenant (ministry of death) is compared to the New Covenant (ministry of the Spirit). The glory of the New Covenant surpasses the fading glory of the Mosaic covenant. The surpassing grace of God upon us generates generosity (and service) to others and obedience to the gospel. This in turn further glorifies God, creating a further circular flowing of grace. God’s grace is abundant and immeasurable.
Scripture:
“Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory, in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it.” 2Cor.3:10
Jesus’ New Covenant is contrasted the Mosaic covenant. The Mosaic covenant eventually loses its glory. The ministry of the Spirit (New Covenant) glory surpasses it.
“While in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.” 2Cor.9:14
The movement of grace overflowing from God is handed on to others. This in turn generates generosity (and service) to others and obedience to the gospel which glorifies God. This generates a further flowing circle of grace.
Etymology: The Greek verb hyperballo literally means means to throw (-ballo) beyond (hyper-). The Latin verb sumittere means to send (-mittere) under (sub-). This means to put under or to yield. Excellent is the adjective form of the Latin verb excellere, meaning to surpass. Eminent is the adjective form of the Latin verb eminere, meaning to stand out. The Latin noun hyberbole means a “throwing beyond” or an exaggeration.
Conclusion:
Hyperbole, super, excellent, excellence, pre-eminence, pre-eminent
This term really can be used in both a positive and negative sense. It is interesting to note that the notion of “throwing someone under the bus” can happen in any time of history. Homer points out that one can overshoot the mark. This can be perceived positively or negatively, depending on the context. A more nuanced example refers to being late or delayed (going past the allotted time). One can or could surpass oneself in various qualities (good or bad).
The Old Testament develops the notion of the all surpassing grace, power, and glory of God. This theme continues in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, Paul points out that the New Covenant’s glory surpasses the Mosaic covenant’s glory. The movement of God’s grace generates a circle of surpassing grace which is bestowed. God’s grace inspires followers and believers to further glorify God, who in turn bestows more grace.
Current events: In the political arena, unfortunately, one does not need to look far and wide to find examples where people make hyperboles, beyond stupid and reckless statements, over the top declarations, crass comments, and irresponsible statements. There are so many examples out there. It is often difficult to keep up!
Recent examples: Defunding the police, defaming reputations of judicial nominees, cancel culture, knee jerk historical cancel culture (without historical perspective), politicians and others accusing police of being murderers, blurring peaceful protests with rioting and looting, claiming that the United States is a systemic racist nation (How can this be possible after Americans had elected an African-American as President for two terms?). These are just a few of the many “over the top” examples.
Perhaps the most blatant example of “overshooting the mark” is defunding the police. These policies are naïve, non-sensical, irresponsible, and reckless. Along with the failure to prosecute criminals and easy access bail, these policies further embolden criminal activity. Then they wonder: “where are the police when we need them”?
They’ve “jumped the shark” and are now finding themselves in troubled waters. They’ve gone too far!
But we all must also try to catch that wave of God’s surpassing grace.