The term "overmuch" is used in the Bible to describe an excessive or undue amount of something, often implying a lack of moderation or balance. It is a concept that warns against extremes and encourages a life of temperance and self-control, aligning with the biblical principle of moderation in all things.

Biblical References:

1. Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 : "Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?" These verses caution against extremes in behavior and thought. Being "overly righteous" or excessively wise can lead to self-destruction, just as being excessively wicked can lead to premature death. The passage encourages a balanced approach to life, avoiding the pitfalls of extremism.

2. 2 Corinthians 2:7 : "So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow." Here, the Apostle Paul advises the Corinthian church to forgive and comfort a repentant sinner to prevent him from being consumed by "excessive sorrow." This highlights the importance of mercy and compassion, ensuring that discipline does not become overmuch, leading to despair.

Theological Implications:

The concept of "overmuch" in Scripture underscores the importance of balance in the Christian life. It serves as a reminder that even virtues, when taken to an extreme, can become vices. For instance, zeal without knowledge can lead to fanaticism, and righteousness without grace can lead to legalism. The Bible consistently advocates for a life that reflects the character of Christ, who embodied both truth and grace.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, avoiding "overmuch" involves exercising discernment and self-control. Christians are called to live lives that are neither marked by excess nor deficiency. This applies to various aspects of life, including:

· Spiritual Practices: Engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and Bible study should be done with a heart of devotion rather than as a means of self-righteousness or spiritual pride.

· Material Possessions: The Bible warns against the love of money and materialism (1 Timothy 6:10), encouraging believers to be content with what they have and to use their resources for the glory of God and the good of others.

· Emotional Responses: Emotions such as anger, sorrow, and joy should be expressed appropriately, without allowing them to control one's actions or lead to sin (Ephesians 4:26).

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, the concept of avoiding "overmuch" has been echoed by theologians and church leaders who have warned against the dangers of asceticism on one hand and licentiousness on the other. The monastic movements, for example, sought to find a balance between withdrawal from the world and engagement with it, aiming to live lives of holiness without falling into the trap of excessive self-denial.

In summary, the biblical admonition against being "overmuch" serves as a timeless principle for living a balanced and godly life, avoiding the extremes that can lead to spiritual and moral pitfalls.1. (a.) Too much.

2. (adv.) In too great a degree; too much.

3. (n.) An excess; a surplus.

5252. huperphroneo -- to be overly proud, to have high thoughts
... be haughty, think more highly. From huper and phroneo; to esteem oneself overmuch,
ie Be vain or arrogant -- think more highly. see GREEK huper. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5252.htm - 7k

4055. perissoteros -- greater, more.
... more abundant, greater Comparative of perissos; more superabundant (in number, degree
or character) -- more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4055.htm - 6k

"Accuse not Thyself Overmuch, Deeming that Thy Tribulation and Thy ...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXVII "Accuse not thyself overmuch, deeming that
thy tribulation and thy woe is all thy fault." "All thy living is penance ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxvii accuse not thyself.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me.7 And by reason of the exceeding greatness
of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm

Of the Same Argument.
... of mercy, and should contract an illness; and upon consulting the physicians, were
to be told by one that the cause of the disease was overmuch dryness of the ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 of the same argument.htm

That Gentleness must be Added to Severity, as is Shown in the Case ...
... by the many; so that contrariwise, ye should rather forgive him and comfort him,
lest by any means he should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." [3043] If ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii that gentleness must.htm

Whether Penance Can be Continuous?
... the penitent, "lest perhaps such an one be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow."
But comfort dispels grief, which is essential to penance. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether penance can be continuous.htm

2 Cor. xii. 1
... For that there were many, hear what he says: "Lest I should be exalted overmuch
through the exceeding greatness of the revelations." And yet,' a man may say ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 2 cor xii.htm

Letter Xlviii. To Pammachius.
... I could know nothing, forsooth, of the saying, "Be not righteous overmuch!" [1038]
Thus, while I try to protect myself on one side, I am wounded on the other ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlviii to pammachius.htm

2 Cor. I. 23
... Ver.7. "So that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest
by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow.". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 2 cor i.htm

Life of Bunyan
... and others"the chief of whom is Dr Southey" have laboured to shew that there was
little in the lad which any would censure, save the righteous overmuch. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

For Though a Man Should be by no Means Greatly Advantaged by ...
... Moreover, it is proper that the righteous man should not seem to be so overmuch,
nor exceedingly and above measure wise, that he may not, as in making some slip ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter vii for though a.htm

Overmuch (16 Occurrences)
...Overmuch (16 Occurrences). Luke 12:29 And do not give overmuch thought to your
food and drink, and let not your mind be full of doubts. (BBE). ...
/o/overmuch.htm - 11k

Excessively (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Ecclesiastes 7:16 Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not
over-wise. ... (See NAS). Ecclesiastes 7:17 Be not evil overmuch, and be not foolish. ...
/e/excessively.htm - 8k

Exalting (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might
not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a ...
/e/exalting.htm - 9k

Adversary (100 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might
not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a ...
/a/adversary.htm - 40k

Overnight (6 Occurrences)

/o/overnight.htm - 8k

Increased (165 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:29 I will not send them all out in one year, for fear that their land
may become waste, and the beasts of the field be increased overmuch against you ...
/i/increased.htm - 35k

Over-wise (1 Occurrence)
... Over-wise (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 7:16 Be not given overmuch to righteousness
and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you? (BBE). ...
/o/over-wise.htm - 6k

Overmasters (1 Occurrence)

/o/overmasters.htm - 6k

Overextending (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 10:14 for not as not reaching to you do we stretch ourselves overmuch,
for even unto you did we come in the good news of the Christ, (See NAS RSV ...
/o/overextending.htm - 6k

Overwise (1 Occurrence)
... Overwise (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 7:16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither
make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? ...
/o/overwise.htm - 6k

Overmuch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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