[Greek] ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē), [Latin] superare, [Latin] excellentior, [Latin] sublimitas, [Latin] magnitudo, [French] etre superieur, [French] distingue, [French] surpasser, [French] eminent

[Greek] ὑπερβολή (hyperbolē), [Latin] superare, [Latin] excellentior, [Latin] sublimitas, [Latin] magnitudo, [French] etre superieur, [French] distingue, [French] surpasser, [French] eminent: to surpass, to go too far, to go beyond, to exceed, to overshoot, to throw beyond; 2Cor.3:10, 2Cor.9:14, Eph.1:19, Eph.2:7, Eph.3:19

Background information:

Greek Hellenism: This term means overshooting, excess, extravagance, surpassing, pre-eminence, hyperbole, and excessive praise.

Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.3.6: “So far surpassed in boldness and villiany.”

Demosthenes’ On the Crown 18.275: “So far surpassed all mankind in savagery and malignity.

Aristophanes’ Plutus 109: “Their wickedness knows no bounds.”

Demosthenes’ On the Chersones: “Stupid beyond measure.”

Old Testament: This term means to go beyond, to surpass, to exceed, to be excessive, and to delay.

New Testament: This term means excellence, surpassing, extraordinary, beyond measure, and excess.

Rom.7:13: “Did the good, then, become death for me? Of course not! Sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin, worked death in me through the good, so that sin might become sinful beyond measure through the commandment.” (It was not the Law which leads to death and ruin. The law encourages the sin to expose itself more thoroughly. It is our corrupt nature which leads to sin. It is only through the grace of God that one can free oneself from the slavery of sin.)

1Cor.12:31: “Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.” (We are called to covet the best gifts most useful and profitable to the Church and God. The more excellent way is the way of love.)

2Cor.1:8: “We do not want you to be unaware of the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia; we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.” (Paul states we must place our trust in God and that God will deliver us from these heavy afflictions.)

2Cor.4:7: “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” (This treasure is the gospel, the knowledge of the glory of God. This great power that can be worked through us comes from the grace of God.)

2Cor.4:17: “For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (This affliction will only be “for a moment”, temporary, and light in duration compared to the eternal duration of glory. This eternal glory will outlast this temporary affliction).

Gal.1:13: “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.” (Saul was a rabid Pharasaic persecutor of the Christians. Saul was a zealot for his ancestral traditions.)

Martyr: A person who is killed or made to suffer because of his/her religious beliefs (or other beliefs).

The aftermath from Stephen’s martyrdom/assassination:

1. Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 8:58-60)
2. They were scattered by the persecution that arouse because of Stephen. (Acts 11:19)
3. They went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. (Acts 11:19)
4. The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:21)
5. A large number of people was added to the Lord. (Acts 11:24)
6. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26)

Hyperbole: This is a rhetorical device or figure of speech which evokes and creates strong feelings. A hyperbole is usually not meant to be taken literally. Used for emphasis, a hyperbole can be used in the form of humor, excitement, distress, or other emotions. Essentially this idea means “throwing beyond”, “going over the top”, or “going too far”.