Chance

Chance - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(Luke 10:31). "It was not by chance that the priest came down by that road at that time, but by a specific arrangement and in exact fulfilment of a plan; not the plan of the priest, nor the plan of the wounded traveller, but the plan of God. By coincidence (Gr. sungkuria) the priest came down, that is, by the conjunction of two things, in fact, which were previously constituted a pair in the providence of God. In the result they fell together according to the omniscient Designer's plan. This is the true theory of the divine government." Compare the meeting of Philip with the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26, 27). There is no "chance" in God's empire. "Chance" is only another word for our want of knowledge as to the way in which one event falls in with another (1 Sam. 6:9; Eccl. 9:11).

Chance - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

CHANCE, n.

1. An event that happens, falls out or takes place, without being contrived, intended, expected or foreseen; the effect of an unknown cause, or the unusual or unexpected effect of a known cause; accident; casualty; fortuitous event; as, time and chance happen to all.

By chance a priest came down that way. Luke 10.

2. Fortune; what fortune may bing; as, they must take their chance.

3. An event, good or evil; success or misfortune; luck.

4. Possibility of an occurrence; opportunity.

You ladyship may have a chance to escape this address.

CHANCE, v.i. To happen; to fall out; to come or arrive without design, or expectation.

If a birds nest chance to be before thee. Deu 22.

Ah Casca, tell us what hath chanced to day.

CHANCE, a. Happening by chance; casual; as a chance comer.