Word Study for G2185 (ἐφικνέομαι)

ephiknéomai /ef-ik-neh'-om-ahee/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom ἐπί and a cognate of ἥκω

Meaningto arrive upon, i.e. extend to

KJV usagereach.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ephiknéomai — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word ephiknéomai, represented by G2185, means to arrive upon or extend to, and is typically translated as reach. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, indicating a very specific application of the term. Its definition is derived from the words ἐπί and a cognate of ἥκω, together suggesting the idea of arriving upon a specific destination or limit.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

Both uses of G2185 are found in 2 Corinthians and are central to the Apostle Paul's defense of his ministry's scope. In 2 Corinthians 10:13, he states that his boasting is not without measure, but according to the "measure of the rule" God distributed to him, a measure designed to reach even to the Corinthians. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 10:14, he clarifies that his team did not overextend themselves to reach the church in Corinth, because arriving there with the gospel was part of their God-given assignment.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of operating within a divine commission:

G5239 hyperekteínō (to extend inordinately): This word is used in direct contrast to G2185 in 2 Corinthians 10:14, where Paul denies that he and his companions "stretch beyond" their proper limits.
G3358 métron (a measure): This term is crucial, as it defines the limited portion or sphere of influence that one is meant to reach. Paul emphasizes that he operates according to the measure God has given him 2 Corinthians 10:13.
G3307 merízō (to apportion, bestow, share): This word clarifies that the "measure" is not self-determined but has been distributed or apportioned by God himself 2 Corinthians 10:13.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of G2185 is tied directly to the concept of a divinely ordained ministry.

God-Given Boundaries: The act of "reaching" a people or place is not an act of human ambition but the fulfillment of operating within a specific sphere of work assigned by God. Paul's authority is legitimate because he stays within the measure G3358 that God distributed G3307 to him 2 Corinthians 10:13.
Legitimate Extension of Ministry: The word is used to affirm that Paul's arrival in Corinth with the gospel was the proper extension of his apostolic work, not an overreach 2 Corinthians 10:14. It distinguishes an authorized mission from an unauthorized one.
Fulfillment of Commission: To reach a destination, in this context, is to arrive at the intended terminus of one's God-given rule or "canon." It signifies the successful execution of a divine assignment.

Summary

In summary, G2185 is a specific term that carries significant weight regarding ministerial authority. While rare, its usage in Scripture illustrates that apostolic work was understood to have God-given limits and objectives. The word reach is not just about physical travel, but about extending influence to the very edge of a divinely appointed boundary, demonstrating the faithful fulfillment of one's specific calling.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

2nd Aorist Middle Deponent Infinitive 1×
Present Middle Or Passive Deponent Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×

Nominative: The subject of the verb.
Plural: More than one.
Masculine: Masculine grammatical gender.
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Middle Deponent: Middle in form but active in meaning.
Middle Or Passive: Can be read as middle or passive; context decides.
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle: A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in 2 Corinthians — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.