Greek word · G2185

ἐφικνέομαι

ephikneomai

to reach

To reach, arrive at, come as far as. It is used of journeys, and of reaching a goal or a limit.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐφ-ικνέομαι, -οῦμαι

[in LXX: Sirach 43:27, 30 R (ἀφικ- ABא)* ;]

to come to, to reach: before ἄχρι, 2 Corinthians 10:13; εἰς, 2 Corinthians 10:14.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Corinthians 10:13

Range of meaning

To reach, arrive at, come as far as. It is used of journeys, and of reaching a goal or a limit.

Against the English

'Reaches even to you' (BSB, ESV, KJV). This is accurate, though it hides that the same verb comes back in v. 14 ('not as though we did not reach you').

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in classical and Hellenistic prose. In the NT it occurs only here and in v. 14.

From the study of Sirach 43:27

Range of meaning

"Come to, reach, arrive at" a place or goal. Figuratively, "attain to, hit the mark, grasp" something such as understanding or an adequate account.

Against the English

KJV/Brenton "come short" turns it around into a picture of falling short, which is fair. RSV-type renderings "cannot reach the end" supply the unstated object. WEB's "couldn't say enough" turns a picture of travelling and never arriving into one about quantity.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament only at 2 Corinthians 10:13–14, of Paul's mission "reaching" as far as Corinth. In classical Greek it is common for reaching a destination or attaining a goal.

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 2

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:13 ἐφικέσθαι to reach

    We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

    Here: 'To reach, to extend as far as'. It describes how far the allotted measure goes. It can also carry the sense that Paul actually arrived there, which v. 14 picks up with 'we came first'.

  2. 2 Corinthians 10:14 ἐφικνούμενοι reaching

    We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.