ἄχρι (achri)
achri
until
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 50 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word achri functions as a preposition or conjunction meaning "until" or "up to." It marks a clear terminus, whether that boundary is defined by time, physical distance, or degree. In the New Testament, it appears fifty times, with significant usage in Acts and Revelation, where it helps structure narratives around specific endpoints.
Its application extends beyond simple chronology. Achri describes spatial limits, such as Paul traveling "as far as" Rome (Acts 28:15), or intensifies endurance, describing believers holding fast "even unto death" (Revelation 2:10). The sources note its use in phrases like achri tou nyn ("until now"), which underscores a continuous state persisting up to the present moment (Romans 8:22).
Etymologically, the term is linked to the idea of a limit or boundary. This root meaning gives the word a sense of finality; it does not merely indicate duration but points toward a specific point where a condition ceases or changes. Translators often render it as "until," "to," or "as far as," depending on whether the context emphasizes a temporal end, a physical reach, or a measure of extent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word achri marks a clear boundary, whether in time or space. It tells us where one season ends and another begins. In Scripture, this limit is never a dead end but a transition point that points toward God’s next step.
When you read about believers holding fast until death or creation groaning until now, it reminds you that your current struggles have an endpoint. God sets the timelines. His promises reach their fulfillment at the appointed moment, giving hope to those waiting.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 50 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- until27×
- as far as7×
- unto6×
- Until3×
- as high as2×
- within1×
- while1×
- to1×
- during1×
- As far as1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἄχρι46×
- ἄχρις3×
- Ἄχρι1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 28:15
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
It describes the physical distance traveled by believers to meet Paul, showing community support.
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Romans 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.
It indicates that creation's current state of groaning is temporary and has a defined end.