Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1.21, KJV
I awoke this morning at 5:30 AM and got a little snack. As I lay back down to go to sleep, the word superfluity came to mind. Knowing there is only 1 usage of the word in the KJV, I looked it up before drifting off again.
Now I know basically in English what all the other terms mean in James 1.21. But what does superfluity mean?
etymology of superfluity
The etymology of superfluity is somewhat interesting.
It comes from the Latin word superfluus meaning, “superfluous, excess, extra, unnecessary and useless remaining residue, which advances” (Latin Dictionary). It’s interesting that it advances, as if it almost has its own agenda.
There is a superfluity of naughtiness in our era that seems to be advancing as if it has its own agenda. It’s really a devilish game of cat and mouse and we humans are the mice.
The Latin became an Anglo-French word superfluité (Webster’s Dictionary).
In Middle English the word became superfluitee.
The first known usage of superfluity in English was in the 1300’s (14th Century). At that time it was defined as, “excess, oversupply” (Webster).
Since the King James Version was first translated in 1611, we’ll keep the definition simple from Webster.
At the very least, we can say that in English superfluity is an excess. Therefore, there is also an excess of naughtiness in our world. We have not only taken a sip of the cup, we have become drunk draining the flagon.
superfluity in the New Testament
As intriguing as the English etymology is there is something to be gained from taking a glimpse at the Koine Greek or NT Greek.
First of all, this is a rare word with only 5 occurrences in the NT. In the other 3 verses it is translated differently.
The Greek word is perisseia (Blue Letter Bible). It means surplusage or a superabundance. The way it is used in the NT can imply the wickedness remaining in a Christian from his/her lifestyle before conversion.
From the definition one gets the impression of bad habits remaining after a person has been saved.

I’m not a believer in the addiction model so I hesitate to mention addictions. However, I do believe in the power of bad habits. To use Biblical terminology, I would even venture to use the term strongholds.
These are ways to understand the Greek meaning behind the term superfluity. The term is only used once in the KJV, superfluity of naughtiness.
other NT usages
While the term superfluity is not used anywhere else, the Greek word perisseia is used 4 other times.
For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5.17
Abundance is the operative term here.
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2 Corinthians 8.2
Abundance and abounded are both perisseia.
Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly
2 Corinthians 10.15
Abundantly is the term perisseia.
In Romans a superfluity or abundance of grace overcomes the “reign of death.” The agenda of the enemy is no match for the advancing abundance of grace that marches us out of it into the “reign of life.”
In both instances in 2 Corinthians the superfluity of lives devoted to ministry yields eternal and immediate rewards.
praxis
It’s as if the “superfluity of naughtiness” in James 1.21 is overcome by the superfluity of abounding saving grace and the superfluity of a life overcome by the ministry.
In praxis the way to overcome the “superfluity of naughtiness” is not to do battle with your personal demons.
No give yourself to the superfluity of saving grace. Give yourself to the superfluity of the flow of ministry in your calling, and every Christian has a calling.
The abundance of ministry trumps the abundance of sin.
Remember in Latin superfluus has an agenda and it advances. Come into the light. Give yourself to the agenda of the light, the superfluity of grace and ministry.