Brief Overview of παρατυγχάνω (Strong’s G3909: paratygchanō)

Strong’s G3909: A compound verb combining παρα (beside) with τυγχάνω (to happen/meet), meaning “to chance upon” or “to meet by chance.” Used in Acts 17:17 to describe Paul’s encounters with people in the marketplace. Reflects the practice of early Christian evangelism through spontaneous encounters.

U- Unveiling the Word

παρατυγχάνω describes chance encounters or happening upon someone. In its sole New Testament usage, it depicts Paul’s evangelistic method in Athens, where he engaged with whoever happened to be present in the marketplace. The compound structure emphasizes the spontaneous nature of these encounters. Early church writers used this term to discuss the importance of being ready for divine appointments in everyday situations. Today, it reminds believers that evangelism often occurs through seemingly random encounters.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παρατυγχάνω, paratygchanō, /par-ah-TING-khan-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + ah + TING (stressed) + khan (as in ‘Khan’) + oh
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside, alongside
• τυγχάνω (tygchanō): to happen, meet, obtain
• -ω (-ō): verb ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To happen to be present
• To meet by chance
• To encounter unexpectedly

For compound words:
παρα- suggests proximity or circumstance, while τυγχάνω provides the concept of chance occurrence, creating the sense of happening to be nearby

Translation Options:

• “To chance upon” – emphasizes the unexpected nature
• “To happen to be present” – captures the circumstantial aspect
• “To meet incidentally” – reflects the unplanned nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• συντυγχάνω (syntygchanō) /sin-TING-khan-oh/ – to meet with, implying more purpose
• ἐντυγχάνω (entygchanō) /en-TING-khan-oh/ – to meet for intercession
• προστυγχάνω (prostygchanō) /pros-TING-khan-oh/ – to approach, with more intention

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, παρατυγχάνω exhibits:

• Tense: Present participle (in NT usage)
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: N/A (participial form)
• Number: Plural
• Aspect: Continuous

Examples:
παρατυγχάνω (I chance upon)
παρατυγχάνων (chancing upon – singular participle)
παρατυγχάνοντες (chancing upon – plural participle)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its meaning of casual encounters. Thayer’s notes its use for chance meetings. LSJ documents classical usage for unexpected encounters. Vine’s highlights its significance in evangelistic contexts. Moulton and Milligan note its common usage in everyday situations.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who [παρατυγχάνω] happened to be there” (Acts 17:17)

Additional References:
None in the New Testament

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παρατυγχάνω represents the concept of divine providence in seemingly random encounters. Its usage in Acts highlights Paul’s method of engaging with people in everyday settings for evangelistic purposes.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears in a crucial passage describing Paul’s evangelistic method in Athens
• It reflects the early Christian practice of marketplace evangelism
• The term influenced early Christian understanding of providential encounters

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound verb combining παρα (beside) with τυγχάνω (to happen/meet), meaning “to chance upon” or “to meet by chance.” Used in Acts 17:17 to describe Paul’s encounters with people in the marketplace. Reflects the practice of early Christian evangelism through spontaneous encounters.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: #verb #acts #paul #evangelism #providence #athens #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #marketplace​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​