In the Army (and other services), it is not uncommon for low-level enlisted people (e.g., sergeants) to use big words to impress others when shorter words would do. A common example is to use the word "utilize" rather than "use".

Years ago, while going through the airborne training school at Fort Benning, another cadet pointed out this way of speaking. After that, I listened and realized how often that word, and others like it, were used - or, rather, "utilized".

The word "intentional" appears to be a word similar in use to "utilize". That is, a big word that does not appear to add any meaning to what is being said.

The word "intentional" can be deceptive as the emphasis is on being "intentional" rather than the more important concept of what it is that one is to "do". What is one to be "intentional" about?

Every time that you hear someone saying that you should be "intentional", think about those Army sergeants trying to impress you with their big words.

The ancient Greek word "συμβεβηκός" ≈ "accident, happening" as in something that happens that is or was not predictable from some point of view.

Aristotle uses this Greek word often as something that happens by accident.

The ancient Greek word "συμβαίνω" ≈ "stand with or beside, agree with, come to pass, happen".

The English word "accident" comes, through French, from the Latin word "accido" ≈ "happen" which comes from two Latin words.

• "ad" ≈ "to".
• "cado" ≈ "fall" and is the source of the English word "cadence" and "case" as in how something "falls".

Thus, an "accident" is something that "falls down". For vehicles, this is often a "crash".

The modern Greek word "ατύχημα" (a-TEE-khee-ma) ≈ "accident" and means, literally, "not lucky" or "bad luck".

This Greek word for "happen" appears 8 times in the GNT (Greek New Testament).

For each verse, determine the following.

Does the Greek word for "happen" mean that of accidentally happening, happening for no known reason, etc.?

Does the conclusion change if the point of view of the information known at the time is taken into account?

Some verses will then be provided that are translated in the KJV (King James Version) as "happen" but do not use that Greek word.

The Latin word "venturus" ≈ "about to come, about to approach".

In Luke 24, after the resurrection, Jesus meets some on the Road to Emmaus. Those he met are talking about what had just happened.


The Latin word "acciderunt" ≈ "to fall down, happen, take place".

More: Eyewitness versus prophetic scriptures

In Acts 3, Peter heals the beggar who was begging for money. Instead of money, Peter heals the beggar.


The Latin word "contigo" ≈ "contact by touch" is the source of the English word "contiguous" and is made of "con" ≈ "together" and "tango" ≈ "touch".

The Latin word "tango" ≈ "touch" is not the source of the Spanish dance called the "tango".

The "befell" of the KJV appears to be influenced by the Latin word "acciderunt" ≈ "to fall down, happen, take place".

The Latin word "contigo" ≈ "contact by touch" is the source of the English word "contiguous" and is made of "con" ≈ "together" and "tango" ≈ "touch".

The Latin word "contigo" ≈ "contact by touch" is the source of the English word "contiguous" and is made of two words.

• "con" ≈ "together".
• "tango" ≈ "touch".

The Latin word "tango" ≈ "touch" is not the source of the Spanish dance called the "tango".

Is Peter talking about an "accidental" happening?

The Latin word "contigo" ≈ "contact by touch" is the source of the English word "contiguous" and is made of "con" ≈ "together" and "tango" ≈ "touch".

There is another Greek word that can mean "happen" as translated by the KJV.

The ancient Greek word "γίγνομαι" ≈ "come into being, become".

This Greek word appears to mean something that "happened" but does not appear to have the same meaning as the "happen" that is an "accident" from some point of view.

Will this happen by chance?

Was what happened "accidental" or did it have a "purpose"?