864. aphikneomai
Lexical Summary
aphikneomai: To arrive, to come to, to reach

Original Word: ἀφικνέομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aphikneomai
Pronunciation: af-ik-neh'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (af-ik-neh'-om-ahee)
KJV: come abroad
NASB: reached
Word Origin: [from G575 (ἀπό - since) and the base of G2425 (ἱκανός - many)]

1. to go (i.e. spread) forth (by rumor)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
come abroad, go forth

From 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 Origin
from apo and the same as hikanos
Definition
to arrive at
NASB Translation
reached (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 864: ἀφικνέομαι

ἀφικνέομαι, 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 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.
2. The testimony of one church can edify far-distant believers.
3. God himself ensures that faithful witness is not hidden (compare Philippians 2:15).

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.
2. Corporate Witness: Romans 16 illustrates that a local church’s conduct affects the global body. Their obedience became a missionary tool equal to preaching.
3. Joy in the Success of Others: Paul’s joy (“therefore I rejoice over you”) demonstrates the proper response when another community’s faithfulness reaches its goal.

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.
• Accountability: Because reports travel, churches must guard their testimony, mindful that disobedience also spreads (1 Corinthians 5:1).
• Partnership: Paul’s rejoicing prepares the Romans to partner with him in future missionary endeavors (Romans 15:24). A reputation for obedience becomes the foundation for expanded ministry.

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.
• Rejoice when the faithfulness of others is publicized rather than becoming jealous or cynical.
• Pray that reports of obedience will soften hearts in unreached regions, just as Rome’s example bolstered Paul’s ministry ambitions for Spain.

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 aphíketo
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 16:19 V-AIM-3S
GRK: εἰς πάντας ἀφίκετο ἐφ' ὑμῖν
NAS: For the report of your obedience has reached to all;
KJV: your obedience is come abroad unto all
INT: to all reached over you

Strong's Greek 864
1 Occurrence


ἀφίκετο — 1 Occ.

863
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