Lexical Summary aphikneomai: To arrive, to come to, to reach Original Word: ἀφικνέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come abroad, go forthFrom apo and the base of hikanos; to go (i.e. Spread) forth (by rumor) -- come abroad. see GREEK apo see GREEK hikanos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom apo and the same as hikanos Definition to arrive at NASB Translation reached (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 864: ἀφικνέομαιἀφικνέομαι, ἀφικνοῦμαι: 2 aorist ἀφικομην; (ἱκνέομαι to come); very often in Greek writings from Homer down; "to come from (ἀπό) a place (but often the preposition has almost lost its force); to come to, arrive at"; in the N. T. once, tropically: Romans 16:19 (ὑμῶν ὑπακοή εἰς πάντας ἀφίκετο your obedience has reached the ears of (A. V. is come abroad unto) all men; Sir. 47:16 εἰς νήσους ἀφίκετο τό ὄνομα σου. Josephus, Antiquities 19, 1, 16 εἰς τό θέατρον ... ἀφίκετο ὁ λόγος). Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Conceptual Range The verb behind Strong’s Greek 864 portrays the successful completion of a journey or process: not merely movement, but arriving at a goal. Whether describing a traveler who has reached a destination or an abstract report that has finally found its audience, the word carries the nuance of fulfillment after effort or distance. Biblical Usage In the New Testament the term appears in only one verse, Romans 16:19, where Paul writes, “For your obedience has reached everyone; therefore I rejoice over you”. Here the verb pictures a report that has traversed the Mediterranean world and has now “arrived” everywhere. Paul employs it to highlight how thoroughly the reputation of the Roman believers’ obedience has spread. Although the form occurs just once in the Greek New Testament, the same idea of successful arrival permeates Scripture, especially in descriptions of prophecies coming to pass (Joshua 21:45) or divine promises finding their fulfillment (1 Kings 8:56 LXX). Occurence in the Pauline Corpus Because this is its sole Pauline use, the word stands out as a carefully chosen image. Paul is closing his epistle, and he wants to assure the Roman congregation that he recognizes their faithfulness. The metaphor of a message “reaching” every quarter underscores three truths that matter to Paul’s mission: 1. Gospel obedience is intended to be visible. Historical Setting of Romans 16:19 Written from Corinth around A.D. 57, Romans reached believers living in the empire’s capital—a city that functioned as a communications hub. News traveled swiftly along well-maintained Roman roads and sea lanes. For a congregation’s obedience to have “arrived” everywhere, it had to pass through merchants, travelers, house-churches, and emissaries who carried word of the Spirit’s work in Rome. This historical context underlines how effectively God leveraged existing infrastructures to propagate the fame of Christ. Theological Themes 1. Fulfillment and Completion: The verb evokes God’s pattern of bringing plans to completion (Philippians 1:6). Just as the report “arrived,” so will every divine promise. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Encouragement: Pastors can remind congregations that consistent obedience is never unnoticed. Even mundane acts can “arrive” in places believers may never visit, inspiring others. Connections with Old Testament Imagery The Septuagint often uses related language to portray the ark’s safe arrival (2 Samuel 6:15), Israel’s journeys (Exodus 19:1), and the fulfillment of prophetic words (Ezekiel 12:25). Each instance reinforces certainty: what God purposes will not merely set out, it will reach its destination. Practical Application for Contemporary Believers • Cultivate a testimony worth spreading. Today’s digital networks function like ancient Roman roads, magnifying both virtue and failure. Summary Strong’s Greek 864 in Romans 16:19 encapsulates the idea of arrival after a journey, symbolizing the complete dissemination of the Romans’ obedience. Though the term appears but once, it conveys enduring truths about the certainty of God’s purposes, the power of corporate witness, and the interconnectedness of the Church across geography and time. Forms and Transliterations αφικετο αφίκετο ἀφίκετο αφίκηται αφικνείτο αφίκοιτό αφίκοντο αφίκου aphiketo aphíketoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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