ὑπερέχωhyperéchō
to hold oneself above, i.e. (figuratively) to excel; participle (as adjective, or neuter as noun) superior, superiority
Greek (New Testament) · G5242
Meanings
1. transitive, to hold over or above.
2. Intrans. (when a noun follows, the case is governed by the preposition; see Bl., § 34, 1; 36, 8), to rise above, overtop; metaphorically
(a) to be superior in rank, etc.: Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13 (cf. Wisdom 6:6)
(b) to be superior, excel, surpass: with genitive (classical Greek; see above), Philippians 2:3; with acc (classical Greek; see above), Philippians 4:7; as as a noun, τ. ὑπερέχον, the excellency, the surpassing worth, Philippians 3:8.
Same root
- ὑπέρhypér · G5228"over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than
- ἔχωéchō · G2192to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
- ὑπεροχήhyperochḗ · G5247prominence, i.e. (figuratively) superiority (in rank or character)
Where it appears
Appears 5 times in the Bible.
- Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
- Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
- Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
- Philippians 4:7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Peter 2:13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.