Better Than Nike

Hupernikao (“hoop-er-nik-ah’-o”) is a Greek word. A transliteration of it might pass as “hyper-victor.” Nike, the shoe manufacturer, likes their name because it means something like “overpower,” or “win a victory over,” or “conquer.”

“Hyper” can mean “above,” or “greater than” something else. “Nikodemos” means something like “victorious among his people.” In Romans 8:37, hupernikao is the way Paul described the Roman believers – greater than mere conquerers.

I think if we asked Paul if he meant that about us, too, he would laugh and say, “Yes!” We don’t just push our enemies off our property and brace up for the next attack. We are called to take the land that is currently occupied by our enemies. We fight on their turf. Anything or anyone our enemies have kidnapped should be recovered.

When David led his mighty men from the scene of destruction at Ziklag, where their families and property had been stolen by raiders, he led them to find and overcome the raiders. He led them to retrieve their families and their belongings. In addition to what had been lost, they confiscated other stolen property and shared the spoils of hupernikao in all the towns they passed on the way back home.

Your cup runs over. Your victories run over. On days, the costs run over too, but standing in faith will always acquire more than it costs.