I would like to start by stating three of the absolutes in this world.
1. God is absolutely real!
2. I am not Him.
3. With God there is no such thing as a coincidence!
Answer: The word coincidence is translated from the Greek word synkyrian, which is a combination of two words: sun and kurios. Sun means “together with,” and kurios means “supreme in authority.” So a biblical definition of coincidence would be “what occurs together by God’s providential arrangement of circumstances.”
The word coincidence is used only once in the New Testament, and it was by Jesus Himself in the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:31-33 (ASV) And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
There are in my mind three very important words here involving Jesus' reference to coincidence. First by "chance" in verse 31, the word coincidence can be substituted here, then in verse 32 the word "likewise" refers to the original term of chance, and then in verse 33 a "certain" Samaritan eliminating it as coincidence.
Citing coincidence is how we humans explain unexpected events and surprise meetings. But just because we are taken by surprise does not mean that God is. Scripture is clear that God allows sinful humans to make mistakes and reap the consequences of those mistakes. In ways known only to God, He even takes our mistakes or unplanned events and weaves them to fulfill His purposes.
Romans 8:28 (NASB) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
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