Robertson-645-28

Words discussed: ἄχρι G891, μέχρι G3360, ἕως G2193

Ἄχρι (§7, p. 639-640): It is related to μέχρί(ς) whatever its origin. As a mere adverb it no longer occurs in the N. T., but it is common both as a preposition and as a conjunction. Ἄχρι is found 30 times in the N. T. The meaning is 'up to' and the case used is the genitive. It occurs with place (Ac. 13:6), persons (Ac. 11:5), time (Ac. 13:11) and abstract ideas (Ac. 22:4, 22).

Μέχρι (§28, p. 645): Like ἄχρι and ἕως, it is both preposition and conjunction as well as originally adverb. No example of the mere adverb is found in the N. T., as it was rare in the older Greek. The form is akin to ἄχρι and the sense is the same. If μέχρις οὗ be treated as a conjunction (cf. ἄχρι οὗ, ἕως οὗ), the preposition with the genitive appears fifteen times, with another doubtful reading in Mat_13:30. It is used with places (Rom_15:19), persons (Luk_16:16), time (Act_10:30), abstract expressions (Php_2:8). Like ἄχρι, the notion of 'measure' or 'degree' is sometimes present (Heb_12:4).

Cross-reference: Robertson notes (§25, Κύκλῳ) that κύκλῳ and μέχρι occur together as a phrase in Rom_15:19.

A.T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (1914), Chapter on Prepositions (Προθέσεις), section VIII, §7 (p. 639-640) and §28 (p. 645).