Original Word: περισσεῦμα
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: perisseuma
Pronunciation: pe-ris'-syoo-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (per-is'-syoo-mah)
KJV: abundance, that was left, over and above
NASB: abundance, which fills, full of what was left over
Word Origin: [from G4052 (περισσεύω - abound)]

1. a surplus, or superabundance

abundance, that was left

From perisseuo; a surplus, or superabundance -- abundance, that was left, over and above.

see GREEK perisseuo

Cognate: 4051 perísseuma (a neuter noun derived from 4012 /perí, "all-around/excess") – abundance, especially as effects a situation (i.e. by its results); what is greater than expected (thought to be the limit); what exceeds (what was measured), i.e. "more than anticipated." See 4052 (perisseuō).

Word Origin
from perisseuó
Definition
superfluity
NASB Translation
abundance (2), full of what was left over (1), which fills (2).

STRONGS NT 4051: περίσσευμα

περίσσευμα, περισσεύματος, τό (περισσεύω);

1. abundance, in which one delights; opposed to ὑστέρημα, 2 Corinthians 8:14 (13), 14; tropically, of that which fills the heart, Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45, (Eratosthenes, Plutarch).

2. what is left over, residue, remains: plural Mark 8:8.

Overview of Usage in Scripture

The noun translated as “surplus,” “overflow,” or “abundance” appears five times in the Greek New Testament. Its settings range from the miraculous feeding of thousands, to Christ’s teaching on speech, to Paul’s appeal for generous giving. In every case the term highlights a reality that is more than sufficient—whether food, resources, or the contents of the heart—and therefore capable of spilling over to bless or to harm.

Abundance in the Material Realm

Mark 8:8 records the aftermath of the feeding of the four thousand: “The people ate and were satisfied, and they picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” The surplus underscores Jesus’ complete provision; He does not merely meet need but supplies in superabundance, reinforcing His identity as the Messianic Shepherd of Ezekiel 34 who feeds His flock.

Paul employs the word twice in 2 Corinthians 8:14 as he urges Gentile believers to relieve the famine-stricken saints in Jerusalem: “At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn, their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.” Here surplus is not hoarded but redistributed, embodying the communal ethos seen in Acts 2:44–45. Paul envisions reciprocal seasons in which God supplies abundance to one group so that another may be sustained, reinforcing the interdependence of the body of Christ.

Overflow of the Heart

Jesus applies the term metaphorically in Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45. “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Speech, whether good or evil, is the natural spillover of internal realities. The word therefore exposes the illusion that words can be detached from character; instead, they reveal the inner reservoir, calling believers to cultivate hearts saturated with truth and grace.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Provision. The surplus at Mark 8:8 displays Yahweh’s covenant faithfulness in Jesus, echoing Psalm 23:5, “My cup overflows.”
2. Grace and Giving. In 2 Corinthians 8–9, material surplus parallels the “surpassing grace of God” (2 Corinthians 9:14). As grace overflows from God to believers, so their resources should overflow toward others.
3. Heart Ethics. The overflow sayings root moral responsibility in regeneration. A new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) will naturally overflow with righteous speech.

Historical Context

The Jerusalem collection (2 Corinthians 8–9) likely took place during the famine of the mid-40s A.D. (Acts 11:27-30). Paul’s use of “surplus” tapped into prevailing Greco-Roman reciprocity codes while grounding generosity in Christ’s incarnation: “Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). At the feeding miracle in Mark 8, seven baskets (larger, gentile “spyrides”) reflect ministry in the Decapolis, signaling that Gentiles too would share in Israel’s promised abundance.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Stewardship: Believers discern seasons of surplus and shortage, holding resources loosely for evangelism, mercy ministry, and missions.
• Speech Ethics: Pastors and parents alike train disciples to monitor heart overflow—confession, Scripture meditation, and prayer fill the inner man with content that edifies.
• Community Equality: Churches model Kingdom economics, ensuring that widows, orphans, and laborers receive from the congregation’s overflow, anticipating the fullness of the New Creation (Revelation 21:6).

Relation to Other Biblical Concepts

Surplus is thematically linked with:

– “Grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20).

– The “fullness” (pleroma) of Christ in whom believers share (Colossians 2:9-10).

– The principle of sowing bountifully to reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Christological Focus

Jesus Himself embodies holy surplus. He is the Bread of Life whose broken pieces never run out (John 6:35), and His heart overflowed in words of life (John 6:68). At the Cross, His poured-out life became the inexhaustible surplus of redemption, so that “from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16).

Concluding Reflections

Wherever Scripture employs this term, the lesson is clear: God intends overflow to circulate, not stagnate. Materially, it meets needs; spiritually, it overflows in gracious speech; missionally, it advances the gospel. In Christ the church possesses an everlasting surplus, called to share until He returns and every cup runs over forever.

περισσευμα περίσσευμα περισσευματα περισσεύματα περισσευματος περισσεύματος perisseuma perísseuma perisseumata perisseúmata perisseumatos perisseúmatosInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts