To obtain/happen
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G5177 is a flexible verb whose constructions can mean obtain or attain, happen or turn out, perhaps, or be ordinary or extraordinary. Translation must follow grammar rather than force the same English gloss everywhere.
Reader summary
Full entry for τυγχάνω (G5177) · Open the biblical lexicon
G5177 is a flexible verb whose constructions can mean obtain or attain, happen or turn out, perhaps, or be ordinary or extraordinary. Translation must follow grammar rather than force the same English gloss everywhere.
The BSB source-word alignment has 12 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include extraordinary (2), . . . (1), [and] receive (1), [Jesus] has received (1), Assuredly (1).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Luke 20:35. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (5), 1 Corinthians (3), Hebrews (2), 2 Timothy (1).
G5177 is a flexible verb whose constructions can mean obtain or attain, happen or turn out, perhaps, or be ordinary or extraordinary. Translation must follow grammar rather than force the same English gloss everywhere. In Acts. 19. 11, God performs extraordinary miracles through Paul, using a negative ordinary expression to stress that these works are not commonplace.
In 2Tim. 2. 10, Paul endures for the elect so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. In 1Cor. 16. 6, Paul says perhaps he will remain or spend the winter in Corinth, expressing a genuine plan held without false certainty. G5177 opens teaching on God's unusual works, salvation received in Christ, and humble planning under providence.
It does not promise repeatable miracles, make endurance the price that earns salvation, or turn every tentative plan into hidden prophecy. The object obtained and the idiomatic form determine the sense.
G5177 appears in constructions for receiving a benefit, attaining resurrection, events happening, tentative possibility, and people or deeds that are ordinary or unusual. Its semantic contribution changes with particles, participles, objects, and surrounding verbs.
God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul,
Luke states that God performs miracles through Paul's hands that are not ordinary, placing both their source and unusual character in view.
For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Paul endures hardship for the elect so that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus together with eternal glory.
Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.
Paul says he may perhaps stay with the Corinthians or spend the winter, holding his travel plan with practical care and uncertainty.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Greek word. To hit the mark or obtain/happen; opposite of missing the target entirely.
Textus Receptus witness, full corpusGreek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
13 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
I obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseI obtain, I happen, perhaps
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Verse guides are not available for this word yet, so verse references remain plain evidence markers.
How this verb appears across 12 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 12 lexical occurrence verses.
τυγχάνω is from an obsolete root - no further derivation.
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
G5177 refuses a one-gloss shortcut. In Ephesus, Luke calls the miracles through Paul not ordinary and explicitly names God as the one doing them. Their exceptional character cannot become a technique that later ministers reproduce on demand. In 2 Timothy, salvation is located in Christ Jesus, while Paul's suffering serves the gospel's mission so that the elect obtain what is found in Him; endurance participates in witness but does not replace grace or the Savior.
In 1 Corinthians, the same lexical family contributes the modest perhaps of a travel plan. Paul can make real commitments, depend on congregational help, and acknowledge that circumstances remain unsettled. These uses hold divine action, received salvation, and ordinary uncertainty together without confusion. Faithful Christian speech can testify to God's exceptional work, persevere sacrificially for others, and still avoid pretending to know every outcome.
G5177 invites grammatical care and pastoral humility: not every event is miraculous, not every good is earned, and not every prudent intention needs the language of certainty.
2Tim.2.10
G5177 is a Greek verb with transitive and intransitive uses. A genitive object can mark what is obtained, participial constructions can mean ordinary or unusual, and adverbial forms can express perhaps or possibility.
Across the New Testament, salvation, resurrection, ministry, hospitality, and providential opportunity are received within God's saving action. Wisdom from the wider canon also commends diligent planning without presumption, matching Paul's ability to say perhaps.