I recently stumbled across this word while digging into a passage found in II Corinthians. For some reason, I suddenly stopped to consider if I had ever used this word in regular conversation, a sermon, or article/writing of some kind. While I was fairly certain of its meaning (in English), I was uncertain why I never noticed its uniqueness in this particular biblical text or its usage throughout the scriptures.
As I researched “redound” — I surprisingly discovered that it appears some 95 times in the Greek New Testament, however, only translated that way into English once in KJV (II Corinthians 4:15) and once in the RSV (I Peter 1:7). The RSV also uses “redound” once in the Old Testament … Ezekiel 39:13, which is an excellent use of the word contextually speaking. Here, one finds certain actions which lead inevitably to an unplanned or unexpected increase/blessing that is uniquely combined/joined to God’s glory as also seen in I Peter 1:6-8:
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Generally speaking, this Greek word, perisseúœ, is translated in reference to abundant or abounding blessings. However, this concept cannot, and should not, be divorced from the glory and honor that comes to our Lord as a result of His unplanned and unexpected outpourings.
Therefore, the true meaning of this somewhat unfamiliar term actually implies an abundant overflow that comes back to its original source, demanding honor and glory be given or granted to the original provider of the blessing. Remember in the message of Christ’s Gospels the feeding of the 5,000 and or the 4,000? Was there anything left after all were fed?
Thus, we see the result of God’s blessings returning glory and honor to Him, as in II Corinthians 4:15, where the biblical passage makes the entire concept of “redound” perfectly clear. Our Lord’s provision of grace to/for believers ultimately ensues the expansion of His Kingdom and His glory.
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
The Apostle Paul undoubtedly explains the concept of redound in Ephesians 1:7-14:
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
REDOUND … In other words, the Lord pours out, we get blessed, and all the glory, praise and honor goes 100% back to Him … for He alone is worthy!
Now that’s something to really think about! — PF