STRONGS NT 4130: πλήθωπλήθω, see πίμπλημι.

Strong’s Greek 4130 frames two complementary ideas: “being filled” (of persons or objects) and “when something is fully come” (of seasons or appointed moments). Every New Testament use divides naturally into four topical spheres—physical fullness, temporal fulfillment, spiritual fullness, and emotional fullness—each revealing an aspect of God’s orderly rule and redemptive purpose.

Physical fullness

Luke alone records the literal sense. At Gennesaret “they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink” (Luke 5:7). The picture recalls overflowing blessing that surpasses human capacity—an acted-out parable of the abundant catch of men to come.

Matthew 27:48 employs the participle when the soldier “filled a sponge with sour wine,” showing simple completion of a task, yet even here divine providence unfolds; the crucified Savior fulfills Psalm 69:21 while the verb quietly underscores the cup of suffering being brought to the brim.

Temporal fulfillment

Luke repeatedly uses 4130 to mark critical junctures in salvation history.

• “The time came for her Child to be born” (Luke 2:6).
• “When eight days were completed for His circumcision” (Luke 2:21).
• “When the days of their purification were completed” (Luke 2:22).

In each case earthly events conform to heavenly schedule. The perfect orchestration of Jesus’ birth, naming, and Temple presentation signals that God’s prophetic calendar is never late. The same pattern appears in the parable wedding hall: “both good and bad; and the wedding hall was filled with guests” (Matthew 22:10). Time, space, and purpose converge; divine invitation does not linger indefinitely.

Spiritual fullness: the Holy Spirit

The predominant theological weight of 4130 lies in Spirit-empowerment. Nine occurrences (all in Luke-Acts) narrate the Spirit’s dynamic control.

1. John the Baptist: “he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15).
2. Elizabeth: “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41).
3. Zechariah: “And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied” (Luke 1:67).
4. Pentecost: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (Acts 2:4).
5. Peter before the rulers: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them” (Acts 4:8).
6. The gathered church: “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
7. Saul of Tarsus: “Brother Saul, … so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17).
8. Paul at Paphos: “But Saul, also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him” (Acts 13:9).
9. The apostolic core at Antioch Pisidia (by implication following 13:52).

Luke consistently couples filling with prophetic proclamation or decisive action. The Spirit is not a passive resident but an active occupant who takes possession of voice, vision, and courage. Unlike the once-for-all baptism in the Spirit (which initiates believers into Christ’s body), filling may recur as needed for witness and service, as Acts 4 demonstrates. Authority for ministry flows from Spirit-fullness, not human stature.

Emotional fullness

4130 also describes hearts dominated by either holy awe or sinful passions:

• Astonishment: crowds “were filled with wonder and amazement” at the healed lame man (Acts 3:10); witnesses of the paralytic “were all amazed and glorified God. They were filled with awe” (Luke 5:26).
• Anger: synagogue hearers “were filled with rage” at Jesus’ Nazareth sermon (Luke 4:28); scribes “were filled with rage” after the Sabbath healing (Luke 6:11).
• Jealousy: the high priest and Sadducees “were filled with jealousy” (Acts 5:17); the Jews at Antioch Pisidia “were filled with jealousy and contradicted what Paul was saying” (Acts 13:45).
• Confusion: “the city was filled with confusion” during the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:29).

The same verb that marks Spirit-given courage also marks sin-dominated opposition, forming a deliberate literary contrast. Hearts will be filled by something; openness to the Spirit or surrender to fleshly emotion determines the outcome.

Luke-Acts concentration and purpose

Twenty-one of the twenty-four New Testament occurrences lie in Luke-Acts, underscoring Luke’s interest in divine control of events, epochs, and persons. By tracing 4130 from Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled greeting to the city-wide tumult of Acts 19, Luke depicts the inevitable spread of the gospel and the polarizing responses it provokes. Spirit-filled proclamation advances the kingdom; emotionally filled resistance cannot thwart it.

Ministry implications

1. Dependence: Effective service demands repeated Spirit-filling. Programs cannot substitute for divine fullness.
2. Readiness: God appoints moments when “the days are fulfilled.” Wise servants recognize seasons and act promptly, trusting His timetable.
3. Watchfulness: Jealousy, anger, or confusion can fill any heart left unguarded. Leaders must yield every thought to Christ lest destructive emotions gain occupancy.
4. Expectancy: Just as nets and boats were filled to sinking, God delights to overflow resources when His word is obeyed. The verb invites faith that He still “is able to do exceedingly abundantly” (Ephesians 3:20).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4130 weaves through the New Testament as a golden thread of divine plenitude—filling wombs with prophets, hearts with the Spirit, boats with fish, and history with ordained moments. Whether blessing or judgment, empowerment or opposition, the verb announces that nothing spiritual, emotional, or temporal remains half-measure under God’s sovereign hand.