Greek word · G280

ἄμετρος

ametros

immoderate

Metron: a measure, as a tool, a quantity, or an allotted portion. Ametros: unmeasured, without limit, excessive.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 14, 2026

What it means

ἄμετρος, -ον

(μέτρον),

without measure: adverbially, εἰς τὰ ἄ., excessively, 2 Corinthians 10:13 10:15†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: Metron: a measure, as a tool, a quantity, or an allotted portion. Ametros: unmeasured, without limit, excessive.
Against the English: 'Beyond our limits' (BSB), 'beyond proper limits' (WEB, NIV), 'things without our measure' (KJV). Most English versions flatten the triple 'measure' wordplay, so the reader doesn't hear 'measure' sounding three times plus 'measuring-line'.
Used elsewhere in the period: The ideal of 'nothing in excess' (mēden agan) was a commonplace of Greek ethics. Going beyond one's measure was linked to overreaching and hubris. In Rom 12:3, God 'has apportioned (emerisen) to each a measure (metron) of faith'. It uses the same verb and noun as here, so the phrasing is Pauline. Eph 4:7 has a similar phrase.

Range of meaning: Without measure: immeasurable, boundless, and so, of conduct, immoderate or excessive. The core idea is 'lacking a metron (measure)'.
Against the English: BSB 'beyond our limits', KJV 'without our measure', YLT 'the things not measured', WEB 'beyond proper limits'. YLT keeps the measuring wordplay best. 'Beyond our limits' is accurate but loses the link to metron and kanōn.
Used elsewhere in the period: Classical Greek uses it of boundless size and of immoderate behavior. It appears in the New Testament only here and in v.13, where the same phrase occurs ('we will not boast into the unmeasured'). Paul is deliberately piling up measuring words: metron ('measure') three times in v.13, kanōn three times in vv.13–16, and ametra twice.

2 Corinthians · 2

2 Corinthians 10:13 ἄμετρα beyond measure

We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

Here: Literally 'without measure'. It means past any measuring line, outside any set limit. It carries a Greek moral flavour too: excess, going beyond what is fitting.
2 Corinthians 10:15 ἄμετρα beyond measure

Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well,

Here: Literally 'un-measured': whatever lies outside the measure God assigned (v.13). It refers to territory and limits, not mainly to 'excessive' bragging, though it carries that overtone too.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.