891. achri or achris

Lexical Summary

achri or achris: Until, up to, as far as

Original Word: ἄχρι or ἄχρις
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: achri or achris
Pronunciation: AH-khree or AH-khrees
Phonetic Spelling: (akh'-ree)
KJV: as far as, for, in(-to), till, (even, un-)to, until, while
NASB: until, far, even when, high, long, right, within
Word Origin: [akin to G206 (ἄκρον - farthest end) (through the idea of a terminus)]

1. (of time) until or (of place) up to

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

as far as, for, until, while.

Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron (through the idea of a terminus); (of time) until or (of place) up to -- as far as, for, in(-to), till, (even, un-)to, until, while. Compare mechri.

see GREEK akron

see GREEK mechri

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. particle, preposition
Definition
until, as far as
NASB Translation
even when (1), far (6), high (1), long (1), right (1), until (29), within (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 891: ἄχρι

ἄχρι and ἄχρις (the latter of which in the N. T. is nowhere placed before a consonant, but the former before both vowels and consonants, although euphony is so far regarded that we almost constantly find ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας, ἄχρις οὗ, cf. Buttmann, 10 (9); (Winer's Grammar, 42); and ἄχρι οὗ is not used except in Acts 7:18 and Revelation 2:25 by L T Tr WH and Luke 21:24 by T Tr WH; (to these instances must now be added 1 Corinthians 11:26 T WH; T WH; Romans 11:25 WH (see their Appendix, p. 148); on the usage in secular authors (`where ἄχρι is the only Attic form, but in later authors the epic ἄχρις prevailed', Liddell and Scott, under the word) cf. Lobeck, Pathol. Elementa, vol. ii., p. 210f; Rutherford, New Phryn., p. 64; further, Klotz ad Devar. vol. ii. 1, p. 230f)); a particle indicating the terminus ad quem. (On its use in the Greek writings cf. Klotz as above, p. 224ff). It has the force now of a preposition now of a conjunction, even to; until, to the time that; (on its derivation see below).

1. as a preposition it takes the genitive (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 54, 6), and is used a. of place: Acts 11:5; Acts 13:6; Acts 20:4 (T Tr marginal reading WH omit; Tr text brackets); Acts 28:15; 2 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:12 (see μερισμός, 2); Revelation 14:20; Revelation 18:5.

b. of Time: ἄχρι καιροῦ, until a season that seemed to him opportune, Luke 4:13 (but cf. καιρός, 2 a.); until a certain time, for a season, Acts 13:11; (ἄχρι (vel μέχρι, which see 1 a.) τοῦ θερισμοῦ, Matthew 13:30 WH marginal reading cf. ἕως, II. 5); ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας until the day that etc. Matthew 24:38; Luke 1:20; Luke 17:27; Acts 1:2; (ἄχρι (Rec. et al. ἕως) τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς, Acts 1:22 Tdf.); ἄχρι ταύτης τῆς ἡμέρας and ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης, Acts 2:29; Acts 23:1; Acts 26:22; ἄχρι (ἄχρις R G) ἡμερῶν πέντε even to the space of five days, i. e. after (A. V. in) five days, Acts 20:6; ἄχρις (ἄχρι T Tr WH) αὐγῆς, Acts 20:11; ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν, Romans 8:22; Philippians 1:5; ἄχρι τέλους, Hebrews 6:11; Revelation 2:26; see besides, Acts 3:21; (Acts 22:22); Romans 1:13; Romans 5:13; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 3:14; Galatians 4:2; Philippians 1:6 (ἄχρι L T WH).

c. of Manner and Degree: ἄχρι θανάτου, Acts 22:4 (even to delivering unto death); Revelation 2:10 (to the enduring of death itself); Revelation 12:11; and, in the option of many interpreters, Hebrews 4:12 (see μερισμός, 2).

d. joined to the relative οὗ (ἄχρις οὗ for ἄχρι τούτου, ᾧ) it has the force of a conjunction, until, to the time that: followed by the indicative preterite, of things that actually occurred and up to the beginning of which something continued, Acts 7:18 (ἄχρις οὗ ἀνέστη βασιλεύς); . followed by a subjunctive aorist having the force of a future perfect, Luke 21:24 L T Tr WH; Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 11:26 (Rec. ἄχρις οὗ ἄν); Galatians 3:19 (not WH text (see 2 below)); Galatians 4:19 (T Tr WH μεχρες); Revelation 7:3 Rec.elz G; ἄχρις οὗ ἄν until, whenever it may be (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 42, 5 b.), 1 Corinthians 15:25 (Rec.); Revelation 2:25. with indicative present as long as: Hebrews 3:13; cf. Bleek at the passage and Buttmann, 231 (199).

2. ἄχρις without οὗ has the force of a simple conjunction, until, to the time that: followed by subjunctive aorist, Luke 21:24 R G; Revelation 7:3 L T Tr WH; ; (Revelation 17:17 Rec.); Revelation 20:3 ( G L T Tr WH); with indicative future, Revelation 17:17 (L T Tr WH); (ἄχρις ἄν followed by subjunctive aorist, Galatians 3:19 WH text (see 1 d. above)). Since ἄχρι is akin to ἀκή and ἄκρος (but cf. Vanicek, p. 22; Curtius, § 166), and μέχρι to μῆκος, μακρός, by the use of the former particle the reach to which a thing is said to extend is likened to a height, by use of μέχρι, to a length; ἄχρι, indicating ascent, signifies up to; μέχρι, indicating extent, is unto, as far as; cf. Klotz as above, p. 225f. But this primitive distinction is often disregarded, and each particle used of the same thing; cf. ἄχρι τέλους, Hebrews 6:11; μέχρι τέλους, Hebrews 3:6, 14; Xenophon, symp. 4, 37 περιεστι μοι καί ἐσθίοντι ἀρχι τοῦ μή πεινην ἀφίκεσθαι καί πινοντι μέχρι τοῦ μή διψην. Cf. Fritzsche on Romans 5:13, vol i., p. 308ff; .(Ellicott on 2 Timothy 2:9. Ἄχρι occurs 20 times in the writings of Luke; elsewhere in the four Gospels only in Matthew 24:38.).

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s 891 shapes sentences by marking the furthest point—temporal or spatial—beyond which something does not yet reach. Its simple role as a boundary-marker allows Scripture to highlight the unfolding of God’s purposes, the call to endure, and the certainty that every promise will reach its appointed climax. The thirty-three New Testament books employ the term forty-nine times, weaving a consistent theology of “already” and “not yet.”

Temporal Boundaries in Redemptive History

1. Patriarch to Law: “For sin was in the world before the Law was given” (Romans 5:13). From Adam to Sinai, humanity’s guilt accumulates “until the Law,” preparing the stage for grace to abound.
2. Prophets to Christ: “Heaven must receive Him until the time of restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21). The Ascension introduces an age of gospel witness that runs its course before the restitution foretold by the prophets.
3. Times of the Gentiles: “Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25). A single preposition binds together Jesus’ Olivet prophecy and Paul’s explanation of Israel’s partial hardening, confirming a divinely set timetable behind current events.
4. Childhood to Sonship: The heir “is subject to guardians and stewards until the time set by his father” (Galatians 4:2). Redemptive history mirrors a child’s maturation, moving from Mosaic guardianship to the freedom of faith in Christ.

Spatial Extent and Missionary Reach

1. Journey as far as Paphos (Acts 13:6) or Troas (Acts 20:6) shows “achri” marking the outer limit of missionary travel.
2. Believers from Rome met Paul “as far as the Forum of Appius” (Acts 28:15), illustrating fellowship that travels to the fullest possible extent.
3. Paul’s apostolic field stretched “even to you” (2 Corinthians 10:13-14). The word underscores that gospel labor has God-defined borders which servants must respect.

Eschatological Horizons

1. Christ’s Reign: “He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25). The kingdom is active now yet awaits final subjugation of evil.
2. Millennial Containment of Satan: He is bound “until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation 20:3). Evil is restrained for a fixed period, not forever.
3. Final Harvest: “Do not harm the earth … until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God” (Revelation 7:3). Judgment pauses until the redeemed are secured.
4. Completion of Wrath: “No one could enter the temple until the seven plagues … were completed” (Revelation 15:8). Judgment and worship intersect, but in orderly sequence.

Pastoral Exhortations to Perseverance

1. Faithfulness to the Point of Death: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10; compare 12:11). Martyrdom is a calculated boundary, not a defeat.
2. Steadfast Ministry: “Hold fast to what you have until I come” (Revelation 2:25). Present obedience looks forward to a guaranteed visitation.
3. Corporate Edification: “Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today” (Hebrews 3:13). Daily encouragement must not lapse before the end of the age.
4. Communion Witness: “You proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The Supper stands as a continual testimony spanning the gap between Calvary and Parousia.

Christological Emphasis

1. Incarnation to Ascension: Jesus teaches and commands “until the day He was taken up” (Acts 1:2). His earthly ministry has a defined terminus that transfers authority to the Spirit-empowered church.
2. Sustaining Work in Believers: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Sanctification operates within the bracket of initial grace and final revelation.
3. Suffering Messiah: The devil departed “until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13), yet never beyond divine control, pointing to a cross determined “by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.”

Implications for Covenant and Law

1. Mosaic Order: The Law “was added … until the Seed should come” (Galatians 3:19). The preposition affirms both continuity with and limitation of the Sinai covenant.
2. Veil on Israel: “To this day the same veil remains … it is removed in Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:14). The veil persists only up to the moment of turning to the Lord, ensuring hope for national restoration.

Historical Testimony “To This Day”

Eight occurrences stress ongoing validity of eyewitness facts (Acts 2:29; 22:3-5; 26:22; etc.). Inspired history is not forgotten lore but verifiable reality standing “until this day,” grounding faith in objective truth.

Ministry Applications

• Preach and disciple with a view to God-appointed limits; mission fields, seasons of trial, and opportunities all have an “until.”
• Encourage saints to endure, reminding them that every hardship has an expiration date fixed by the Lord.
• Maintain eschatological vigilance: sacraments, worship, and witness are forward-looking acts framed by this term.
• Affirm Israel’s future and the church’s present task without contradiction, as both are upheld by the same boundary word.

Summary

Strong’s 891 consistently anchors biblical promises, warnings, and narratives by pointing to an ordained endpoint. It secures confidence that God’s timeline is neither open-ended nor arbitrary. Every “until” in Scripture invites believers to faithful obedience within divinely set bounds, assured that the consummation of all things will arrive exactly as written.

Forms and Transliterations

αχρι άχρι ἄχρι άχρις ἄχρις achri áchri achris áchris

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 24:38 Prep
GRK: καὶ γαμίζοντες ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας
NAS: and giving in marriage, until the day
KJV: giving in marriage, until the day
INT: and giving in marriage until that day

Mark 16:20 Prep
GRK: ἀνατολῆς καὶ ἄχρι δύσεως ἐξαπέστειλεν
INT: from east and to west sent out

Luke 1:20 Prep
GRK: δυνάμενος λαλῆσαι ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας
NAS: and unable to speak until the day when
KJV: able to speak, until the day that
INT: able to speak until that day

Luke 4:13 Prep
GRK: ἀπ' αὐτοῦ ἄχρι καιροῦ
NAS: he left Him until an opportune time.
KJV: from him for a season.
INT: from him until opportune time

Luke 17:27 Prep
GRK: ἐγάμουν ἐγαμίζοντο ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας
NAS: they were being given in marriage, until the day
KJV: they were given in marriage, until the day
INT: they were marrying they were being given in marriage until that day

Luke 21:24 Prep
GRK: ὑπὸ ἐθνῶν ἄχρι οὗ πληρωθῶσιν
NAS: foot by the Gentiles until the times
KJV: the Gentiles, until the times
INT: by [the] Gentiles until one be fulfilled

Acts 1:2 Prep
GRK: ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας
NAS: until the day when He was taken
KJV: Until the day in which
INT: until the day

Acts 2:29 Prep
GRK: ἐν ἡμῖν ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας
KJV: with us unto this day.
INT: among us unto the day

Acts 3:21 Prep
GRK: μὲν δέξασθαι ἄχρι χρόνων ἀποκαταστάσεως
NAS: receive until [the] period
KJV: receive until the times
INT: indeed receive until times of restoration

Acts 7:18 Prep
GRK: ἄχρι οὗ ἀνέστη
NAS: until THERE AROSE ANOTHER
KJV: Till another king
INT: until that arose

Acts 11:5 Prep
GRK: καὶ ἦλθεν ἄχρι ἐμοῦ
NAS: and it came right down to me,
KJV: and it came even to me:
INT: and it came as far as me

Acts 13:6 Prep
GRK: τὴν νῆσον ἄχρι Πάφου εὗρον
NAS: island as far as Paphos,
KJV: the isle unto Paphos,
INT: the island as far as Paphos they found

Acts 13:11 Prep
GRK: τὸν ἥλιον ἄχρι καιροῦ παραχρῆμα
KJV: seeing the sun for a season. And
INT: the sun until a season immediately

Acts 20:6 Prep
GRK: τὴν Τρῳάδα ἄχρι ἡμερῶν πέντε
NAS: to them at Troas within five
KJV: to Troas in five days;
INT: Troas until days five

Acts 20:11 Prep
GRK: τε ὁμιλήσας ἄχρι αὐγῆς οὕτως
NAS: with them a long while until daybreak,
KJV: a long while, even till break of day,
INT: and having talked until daybreak so

Acts 22:4 Prep
GRK: ὁδὸν ἐδίωξα ἄχρι θανάτου δεσμεύων
KJV: this way unto the death, binding
INT: Way persecuted as far as death binding

Acts 22:22 Prep
GRK: δὲ αὐτοῦ ἄχρι τούτου τοῦ
KJV: him audience unto this word,
INT: moreover him until this

Acts 23:1 Prep
GRK: τῷ θεῷ ἄχρι ταύτης τῆς
KJV: conscience before God until this day.
INT: to God unto this

Acts 26:22 Prep
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας
KJV: God, I continue unto this day,
INT: God unto the day

Acts 27:33 Prep
GRK: Ἄχρι δὲ οὗ
NAS: Until the day was about
KJV: And while the day was coming
INT: until moreover which

Acts 28:15 Prep
GRK: ἀπάντησιν ἡμῖν ἄχρι Ἀππίου Φόρου
NAS: from there as far as the Market
KJV: to meet us as far as Appii forum,
INT: meet us as far as Appius market

Romans 1:13 Prep
GRK: καὶ ἐκωλύθην ἄχρι τοῦ δεῦρο
NAS: so far) so
KJV: was let hitherto,) that
INT: and was hindered until the present

Romans 5:13 Prep
GRK: ἄχρι γὰρ νόμου
NAS: for until the Law sin
KJV: (For until the law sin
INT: until indeed law

Romans 8:22 Prep
GRK: καὶ συνωδίνει ἄχρι τοῦ νῦν
NAS: together until now.
KJV: travaileth in pain together until now.
INT: and travails together until now

Romans 11:25 Prep
GRK: Ἰσραὴλ γέγονεν ἄχρις οὗ τὸ
NAS: to Israel until the fullness
KJV: to Israel, until the fulness
INT: to Israel has happened until that the

Strong's Greek 891
49 Occurrences

ἄχρι — 44 Occ.
ἄχρις — 5 Occ.