Original Word: φθάνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: phthanó
Pronunciation: fthan'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (fthan'-o)
KJV: (already) attain, come, prevent
NASB: come, arrive, attained, first to come, precede
Word Origin: [apparently a primary verb]

1. to be beforehand, i.e. anticipate or precede
2. (by extension) to have arrived at

anticipate, attain, come

Apparently a primary verb; to be beforehand, i.e. Anticipate or precede; by extension, to have arrived at -- (already) attain, come, prevent.

5348 phthánō – properly, precede, arrive ahead of time, i.e. before something which indicates priority in importance or sequence.

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to come before (another), anticipate, arrive
NASB Translation
arrive (1), attained (1), come (3), first to come (1), precede (1).

STRONGS NT 5348: φθάνω

φθάνω: 1 aorist ἔφθασα (Winer's Grammar, § 15 under the word); perfect ἐφθακα (1 Thessalonians 2:16 L text WH marginal reading); from Homer down;

1. to come before, precede, anticipate: ἡμεῖς οὐ μή φθάσωμεν (see μή, IV. 2) τούς κοιμηθέντας, we shall not get the start of those who have fallen asleep, i. e. we shall not attain to the fellowship of Christ sooner than the dead, nor have precedence in blessedness, 1 Thessalonians 4:15; ἔφθασεν ἐπ' αὐτούς ἡ ὀργή, (God's penal) wrath came upon them unexpectedly, 1 Thessalonians 2:16; ἔφθασεν ἐφ' ὑμᾶς ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, the kingdom of God has come upon you sooner than you expected, Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20; (but all the preceding examples except the first are referred by the majority of recent interpretations to the following heading; — a meaning especially common when the verb is construed with prepositions).

2. in the Alex. (and other later) writings the idea of priority disappears, to come to, arrive at: εἰς τί, Philippians 3:16; to reach, attain to, a thing, Romans 9:31; ἄχρι τίνος, 2 Corinthians 10:14; (τίνι, to a thing, Tobit 5:19; ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, Test xii. Patr., p. 530 (i. e. test. Rub. 5 at the end); ἡ μεγαλωσύνη σου ἐμεγαλύνθη καί ἔφθασεν εἰς τόν οὐρανόν, Daniel 4:19, Theod. (cf. 17, 25; φθάνειν ἕως τῶν οὐρανῶν, 2 Chronicles 28:9; ἔφθασεν ὁ μήν ὁ ἕβδομος, 2 Esdr. 3:1; Philo de mund. opif. § 1; de legg. alleg. 3:76; de confus. lingg. § 29; Plutarch, apotheg. Lacon. § 28; de Alex. s. virt. s. fort. orat. 2:5. Cf. Sophocles Lexicon, under the word; Geldart, Modern Greek, p. 206; Winer's Grammar, § 2, 1 b.)). (Compare: προφθάνω.)

Overview

Strong’s Greek 5348 (phthanō) portrays movement that arrives first, reaches a goal, or attains a state already present. The verb is vivid, suggesting either precedence (“arrive before”) or successful arrival (“come to, attain”). Its seven New Testament occurrences trace the advance of God’s kingdom, the spread of the gospel, the believer’s progress, Israel’s failure to reach righteousness, divine wrath reaching its object, and the order of events at Christ’s return.

Semantic Range and Nuance

1. Arrival that overtakes a person or situation (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20).
2. Attainment of an intended goal (Romans 9:31; Philippians 3:16).
3. Precedence—coming before another in sequence (1 Thessalonians 4:15).
4. Reaching a person or group with ministry (2 Corinthians 10:14).
5. Divine wrath reaching its appointed limit (1 Thessalonians 2:16).

These nuances unfold within salvation history: God’s reign arrives, the gospel reaches new territory, believers press on toward maturity, judgment overtakes persistent unbelief, and resurrection order is clarified.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Matthew 12:28 and Luke 11:20—Kingdom Arrival

“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Jesus declares that His exorcisms prove the kingdom’s present arrival, not merely future hope. Phthanō underscores immediacy: the reign of God has already overtaken His hearers.

2. 2 Corinthians 10:14—Gospel Frontiers

“We are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not come to you, for we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ.”

Paul defends his apostolic field by reminding the Corinthians that his team “reached” them first. The verb highlights pioneering mission and establishes rightful spiritual authority.

3. Philippians 3:16—Spiritual Progress

“Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.”

Having spoken of pressing toward the heavenly prize, Paul exhorts believers to walk consistently with the level of maturity already reached. Phthanō conveys responsibility to maintain practical holiness equal to previous spiritual attainment.

4. Romans 9:31—Unattained Righteousness

“But Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.”

Israel’s failure to “arrive” at righteousness, despite zeal for the law, contrasts with Gentiles who obtained righteousness by faith. The verb accentuates the futility of works-based pursuit apart from Christ.

5. 1 Thessalonians 2:16—Wrath Reaching Its Target

“They always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.”

Here phthanō depicts wrath overtaking hardened persecutors. The aorist indicates certainty; judgment has effectively arrived, though its full outworking may yet unfold.

6. 1 Thessalonians 4:15—Resurrection Sequence

“We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.”

The verb guarantees that the living will not “arrive before” the dead in Christ. Resurrection order is fixed; the sleeping saints rise first, underscoring the hope of bodily resurrection for all believers.

Theological Themes

Kingdom Realization

Phthanō in the Gospels affirms the already-present aspect of God’s kingdom, validating Jesus’ messianic works.

Grace versus Law

Romans 9:31 contrasts human striving with divine provision, reinforcing justification by faith as the only path that truly “arrives” at righteousness.

Mission and Apostolic Authority

The Corinthian usage underlines that authentic ministry reaches unreached peoples first, modeling strategic gospel advance.

Perseverance and Sanctification

Philippians 3:16 charges believers to maintain spiritual ground already gained, opposing complacency in the Christian walk.

Eschatological Order

In 1 Thessalonians 4:15 phthanō protects the hope of those who have died, ensuring no disadvantage in the resurrection.

Judicial Finality

The arrival of wrath (1 Thessalonians 2:16) warns that persistent opposition to the gospel ultimately meets inevitable divine judgment.

Application in Christian Ministry

• Evangelistic Priority: Like Paul, ministries should aim to “reach” the unreached, respecting apostolic precedents and avoiding territorial rivalry.
• Discipleship: Churches must help believers live up to the maturity already attained, fostering continual growth rather than regression.
• Preaching the Kingdom: Present-tense kingdom realities should be proclaimed, demonstrating Christ’s authority over evil now.
• Eschatological Comfort: Teaching on the resurrection sequence offers assurance to grieving believers that departed saints will share fully in Christ’s return.
• Warning Against Hardness: The certainty that wrath can finally overtake persistent unbelief should motivate urgent evangelism and sober self-examination.

Summary

Strong’s 5348 threads through the New Testament as a word of arrival—whether of God’s kingdom, gospel messengers, spiritual progress, or divine judgment. Each context calls the reader to recognize where God’s action has already arrived, to align with it, and to press on until Christ’s ultimate arrival completes all that His word has promised.

έφθακε εφθασαμεν εφθάσαμεν ἐφθάσαμεν έφθασαν έφθασε εφθασεν έφθασεν ἔφθασεν φθάνει φθάνοντα φθάρματά φθάσας φθασωμεν φθάσωμεν φθάσωσιν ephthasamen ephthásamen ephthasen éphthasen phthasomen phthasōmen phthásomen phthásōmenInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts