[Greek] ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē), [Latin] supra, [Latin] excelentoriem, [Latin] sublimitas, [Latin] magnitudo: a throwing beyond the ordinary, excess, excellence, exaggeration, abundance, beyond measure; Rom.7:13, 1Cor.12:31, 2Cor.1:8, 2Cor.4:7,17, 2Cor.12:7, Gal.1:13
Background information
Greek Hellenism: This term means a throwing beyond, overshooting, excess, extravagant, overpraise, superiority, and crossing over.
Demosthenes’ Against Meidias 21.119: “For this vileness is impossible to beat. He went into his house, in the presence of many witnesses and said the most terrible things of him.”
Isocrates’ Panegyricus 4.5: “We should cease to speak, when the conditions have come to an end or when when we see that the discussion of them is so complete that there is no room to improve upon.”
Isocrates’ To Phillip 5.42: “For what could exceed the enmity which the Helenes felt toward Xerxes?”
Demosthenes’ Against Aphobus 27.38: “What is the meaning of outrageous, if matters pushed to this extreme are to be so called?”
Demosthenes’ Against Androtion 22.52: “This man displayed a brutality so far in excess of their, that he turned every man’s private house into a jail.”
Isocrates’ Panegyricus 4.788: “What orator, however eager to overshoot the mark, has not fallen short of the truth in speaking.”
Aeschylus’ Persians 291: “For this calamity is so great that it is not possible to say or even ask about its extent.”
New Testament: This term, occurring only in Paul’s letters, conveys the sense of extraordinary, all-surpassing, abundance, and beyond measure. Sin becomes more sinful (magnified) under the law. This momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comprehension. The Christian path calls one to strive for the greatest spiritual gifts. As earthen vessels, man hold inside himself this surpassing power (grace) from God. Paul refers to his former way of life as a zealous Pharisee persecuting the church of God beyond measure.
Scripture:
“We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia; we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we even despaired of life.” 2Cor.1:8
The province of Asia was a source of opposition: adversaries, Jews’ plots, and riot of silversmiths. Paul may have thought that his death was near at hand.
“For this momentary light affliction is producing in us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2Cor.4:17
Like on earth is only a fleeting period (duration) of existence compared to the potential eternal period (duration) of glory in heaven.
“For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.” Gal.1:13
Paul recalls his past life of being a rabid persecutor of the Christians.
Hyperbole: This is also a rhetorical device or figure of speech which evokes and creates strong feelings. A hyperbole, like a metaphor or simile, is usually not meant to be taken literally. Used for emphasis or effect, a hyperbole can be used in the form of humor, excitement, distress, or other emotions. Essentially, this idea means “throwing beyond” or “going over the top.”
Jumping the shark: This expression was coined in 1985 in response to a 1977 fifth season episode of Happy Days in which Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water skis. This is a perjorative phrase illustrating the efforts of creating a stunt (publicity event) in order to generate attention for something that was once popular.
Conclusion:
Hyperbole, excellence, excellent, magnitude, sublime
In Greek Hellenism, this term describes human nature.
Those remaining under the law will continue to recognize a rift between the their desire for goodness and their sinful nature. They will not be able to free themselves from the slavery of sin. God’s justifying grace frees one from this slavery of sin.
One must ultimately make the choice whether or not to seek or attain that eternal glory.
The Latin sublimas means uplifted (sloping up to the threshold (limen).
The law allows sin to expose itself. God’s saving grace frees one from the slavery of sin.
It is important to note that the silversmiths’ riots and Jews’ plots occurred in the province of Asia.
One must admit that Paul was very effective in his efforts in bad (as a Pharisee) and in good (as an apostle).
We just spend a very small duration of existence of earth in comparison to eternity in heaven. It is what we do with our lives (sharing the gospel or making a difference in peoples’ lives) that can determine our eternal fate. Perhaps this might provide some consolation to all those who are experiencing struggles in this life.
Update: The continuing opposition toward Trump and his supporters is impossible to measure each day.
The national discussion of election fraud and irregularities is nowhere complete to answer the concerns of many Americans.
The outrageousness of redefining words is coming to its extreme in our society.
The Russian government predictably made an extreme example of punishment for Brittany Griner.
President Biden continues to overshoot the mark in being honest, continually being caught in telling lies.
The public’s lack of confidence and trust in government has reached a still greater level, in light of its raid on Trump’s residence.
The government’s capacity to continually spend during inflation surpasses any common sense about economics.
The FBI and DOJ overshoot the market in not believing that their actions wouldn’t energize Trump supporters.
Thanks to woke criminal justice policies, crime has become abundant throughout our nation.
Sometimes it only takes a little effort on our part to make a great difference in someone else’s life.
Addiction to a sinful lifestyle can become a great weight on a person’s life.
Most of us strive to be different and strive to excel. Yet, we still need to discern how to carry forward these new paths. God reminds us that we are more valuable when we bear through these difficulties. God acknowledges our concerns and needs can be beyond the ordinary, but He tells us not to let them wear us down beyond measure. A bearded man wise beyond his time once said it matters more in how we can make a difference to others rather than how many years we live.
Next post: Being different and carrying through other ways