Greek word · G378

ἀναπληρόω

anaplēroō

to fulfil

To fill up, make full. To fill a gap or make up a lack (Phil 2:30). To occupy a place (1 Cor 14:16). To complete a measure (1 Thess 2:16, 'to fill up the measure of their sins'). To bring a prophecy to fulfillment (Matt 13:14). The prefix ana- gives a sense of filling up to the top.

Appears 6 times in 6 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 25, 2026

What it means

ἀνα-πληρόω, -ῶ

[in LXX chiefly for מָלֵא, Leviticus 12:6, al.; also שָׁלַם (Genesis 15:16, 1 Kings 7:51, Isaiah 60:20), etc. ;]

1. to fill up, make full (in π. of completing contracts and making up rent; cf. MM, VGT, see word): τόπον, take one's place (cf. Heb. מָקוֹם שָׁלַם), 1 Corinthians 14:16; άμαρτίας, complete the number, 1 Thessalonians 2:16; τ. νόμον, observe perfectly, Galatians 6:2; pass., προφητεία, fulfilled, Matthew 13:14.

2. to supply: τό ὑστέρημα, 1 Corinthians 16:17, Philippians 2:30 (Cremer, 838).†

(AS)

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

In depth

From the study of Galatians 6:2

Range of meaning: To fill up, make full. To fill a gap or make up a lack (Phil 2:30). To occupy a place (1 Cor 14:16). To complete a measure (1 Thess 2:16, 'to fill up the measure of their sins'). To bring a prophecy to fulfillment (Matt 13:14). The prefix ana- gives a sense of filling up to the top.
Against the English: 'Fulfill' is accurate, but modern ears tend to hear 'meet a requirement' or 'tick a box'. NLT's 'obey' turns a filling-to-completion picture into rule-keeping. YLT's 'fill up' is the most literal.
How it drifted: In English, 'fulfill' has drifted toward 'satisfy (a request or obligation)', and the image of filling a vessel or measure has faded.
Used elsewhere in the period: Septuagint: Genesis 15:16 says 'the sins of the Amorites are not yet filled up (anapeplērōntai)', the same 'measure' idea. Exodus 23:26: 'I will fill up the number of your days.' Galatians 5:14 uses the simple verb plēroō: 'the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Lev 19:18).

From the study of Matthew 13:14

Range of meaning: To fill up, bring to full measure; to make up what is lacking; to fill or occupy a place (1 Cor 14:16); to fulfil (a word or requirement). The ana- prefix often adds a sense of filling to the top or completing.
Against the English: English 'is fulfilled' usually suggests 'a prediction came true'. The Greek picture is a container or measure being filled to the brim. Matthew's normal word for fulfilment is the simpler πληρόω (used in his ten or so 'this happened to fulfil' formulas). This compound appears in Matthew only here.
How it drifted: Centuries of reading prophecy mainly as prediction have narrowed 'fulfil' to 'come true'. The 'filling up a measure' sense, which is strong in this compound, drops out of English.
Used elsewhere in the period: LXX Genesis 15:16: 'the sins of the Amorites are not yet filled up (ἀναπεπλήρωνται)'. That is, their guilt has not yet reached its full measure. Paul uses it the same way in 1 Thessalonians 2:16, of opponents who 'fill up their sins always'. Compare Jesus in Matthew 23:32, 'Fill up (πληρώσατε) the measure of your fathers.' In the papyri it is common for making up a shortfall or completing a quota.

From the study of 1 Corinthians 14:16

Range of meaning: anaplēroō: to fill up, complete, replace, occupy. With topos ("place"), a recognised expression for taking or holding a position.
Against the English: KJV "occupieth the room", WEB/NASB "fills the place", NIV "put in the position of", ESV "in the position of", BSB simply "someone who is". Literal versions keep the possibility of a real seat; dynamic ones settle on role.
Used elsewhere in the period: Similar "fill/hold the place" expressions occur in Greek for occupying a role (compare Josephus and Greek documents using topos for an office or station). There is no clear first-century evidence for a reserved section for inquirers in Christian house meetings, although later church orders did seat catechumens separately.

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

Matthew 13:14 ἀναπληροῦται is fulfilled

In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

Here: Present tense, passive: 'is being filled up'. It is happening right now, in front of the disciples. The prefix ana- gives a sense of filling something to the brim, of a measure reaching its full level. Matthew uses this word only here.

1 Corinthians · 2

1 Corinthians 14:16 ἀναπληρῶν filling

Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Here: "Filling" or "occupying". With "the place" it is a stock phrase for being in a certain position or role. Whether a physical seat is also meant is debated.
1 Corinthians 16:17 ἀνεπλήρωσαν· filled up;

I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.

Galatians · 1

Galatians 6:2 ἀναπληρώσετε you will fulfill

Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Here: Future tense in the critical text: 'you will fill up'. The picture is filling a measure to the top. Doing this brings the law of Christ to its full measure in the community's life. It echoes 5:14, where the whole law 'is fulfilled' in loving your neighbour.

Philippians · 1

Philippians 2:30 ἀναπληρώσῃ he may fill up

because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.

Here: "Fill up" a gap so that something becomes complete. He supplied the one piece of their service that distance made impossible.

1 Thessalonians · 1

1 Thessalonians 2:16 ἀναπληρῶσαι to fill up

hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Here: "To fill up completely." This draws on a Jewish picture of sin building up to a fixed measure before judgment falls (Gen 15:16). The hindering is the act that brings the measure to full.

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