Sunday, February 5, 2012

Have you had a Super Sunday?


Well, tens of millions of people around the U.S. and the world watched the Super Bowl (American football).  People has super parties and television enjoyed a day of “super-hype!”

Do you know that you can experience something super?

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV)


God is able to do “exceeding abundantly more.” “immeasurably more,” “superabundantly beyond and over and above,” or, as The Message says, “far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”  

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)

What does this word mean?

 “Abundantly beyond (huperekperissou from huper = above + ek = intensifies meaning, adding idea of exhaustlessness + perissos = exceeding some number or measure, over and above, more than necessary) means:
“surpassing,
superabundantly,
surpassingly,
beyond measure,
exceedingly,
quite beyond all measure,
overwhelming,
over and above,
more than enough.” 

It describes an extraordinary degree, involving a considerable excess over what would be expected. As F F Bruce has said here we encounter another "one of Paul’s coined ‘super-superlatives'".

Huperekperissou is the highest form of comparison imaginable and so means immeasurably more than, quite beyond all measure, infinitely more than.

Vincent writes that this is...
“One of the numerous compounds of huper - beyond, over and above, of which Paul is fond. Of 28 words compounded with this preposition in the New Testament, Paul alone uses 20.”

Huperekperissou (Greek) is found only 3 times in all the Bible (Eph. 3:20; 1 Thess. 3:10; 5:13)

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)
“For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly (huperekperissou - praying with extreme earnestness, pray as earnestly as possible) that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?” (1Thes 3:9-10)
“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly (huperekperissou) in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.” (1Thes 5:12-13)

Exceeding abundantly beyond all that you could ask or think is the potential of God in every believer's life! This ascription of praise to God’s ability expresses our assurance of answered prayer. Why should we hesitate to offer our deepest petitions?” http://www.preceptaustin.org/ephesians_320-21.htm

Ask
All that we ask
Above all that we ask or think
Abundantly above all that we ask or think
Exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think
Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.
(Eph. 3:20)




“Now to him who by his power within us is able to do far more than we ever dare to ask or imagine—to him be glory in the Church through Jesus Christ for ever and ever, amen!” (J. B. Phillips translation)
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”  (New American Standard Version)
“Now to the One who is able to do beyond all things, superabundantly beyond and over and above those things that we are asking for ourselves and considering, in the measure of the power which is operative in us.”  (Wuest)Cross references:

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

   Glory to God in the church!
   Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
   Glory down all the generations!
   Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!” (The Message)

God can do everything in “super abundance.”  Call on Him.  Let Him meet your needs.  Let Him answer your prayers.

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