from a derivative of the same as ἀήρ (meaning a breeze, i.e. the morning air); properly, fresh, i.e. (adverb with ellipsis of ἡμέρα) to-morrow:--(to-)morrow, next day.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adverb G839 (αὔριον, *aúrion*) primarily denotes "to-morrow" or "the next day." Its etymological root is particularly insightful, deriving from a word related to ἀήρ (aēr), meaning "air" or, more specifically, "morning air" or "breeze." This connection suggests an underlying sense of freshness, newness, or the dawning of a new day, distinct from the present. While its most common usage is a straightforward temporal indicator, this etymological nuance subtly imbues the word with a sense of the newness and unknown quality of the day to come. It functions as an adverb of time, indicating the day immediately following the present one.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
G839 appears frequently in the New Testament, primarily serving as a simple temporal marker for the subsequent day. Its usage ranges from mundane scheduling to profound theological statements.
In narrative contexts, αὔριον often indicates the timing of events or actions:
* In [[Acts 4:3]], it marks the delay in the apostles' hearing before the Sanhedrin: "they put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening."
* Similarly, [[Acts 20:7]] notes, "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day."
* [[Luke 13:33]] records Jesus' determination regarding His ministry: "Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem." Here, it frames the ongoing, immediate future of His mission.
However, the most significant theological uses of αὔριον occur in didactic passages:
* Perhaps most famously, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts His disciples: "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" ([[Matthew 6:34]]). Here, αὔριον represents the future, specifically the unknown and potentially worrying aspects of it, against which believers are called to cultivate trust in God's present provision.
* In [[James 4:13-14]], the word is used in a powerful admonition against human presumption: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." This passage underscores the brevity and uncertainty of life, challenging human self-sufficiency and calling for humble reliance on divine sovereignty.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of αὔριον is enriched by its relationship to other temporal terms and theological concepts:
* **σήμερον (sēmeron)** `{{G4594}}`: "Today." This word stands in direct contrast to αὔριον, emphasizing the present moment. The tension between "today" and "tomorrow" is central to Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 6:34]].
* **χθές (chthes)** `{{G5507}}`: "Yesterday." Completing the temporal triad, "yesterday," "today," and "tomorrow" represent the past, present, and future, respectively.
* **πρωΐ (prōi)** `{{G4404}}`: "Early," "in the morning." This term shares a semantic field with the etymological root of αὔριον (morning air), both pointing to the dawn of a new day.
* **χρόνος (chronos)** `{{G5550}}`: "Time" (sequential, chronological). αὔριον specifies a particular segment of *chronos*.
* **καιρός (kairos)** `{{G2540}}`: "Appointed time," "opportune time." While αὔριον is a simple temporal marker, the decision to act or not act on "tomorrow" can involve discerning God's *kairos*.
* **Divine Providence and Sovereignty:** The theological implications of αὔριον are deeply intertwined with these concepts, particularly in passages like [[Matthew 6:34]] and [[James 4:13-14]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of αὔριον transcends its simple temporal meaning, serving as a linguistic anchor for profound truths about human reliance and divine sovereignty.
1. **Trust in Divine Providence:** In [[Matthew 6:34]], αὔριον becomes a symbol of the uncertain future that often incites human anxiety. Jesus' command not to "be anxious about tomorrow" is not a call to irresponsibility but a summons to radical trust in God's unfailing provision. It teaches believers to live in dependence on God for daily bread and daily grace, freeing them from the burden of anticipating and controlling future difficulties. This perspective encourages a focus on present faithfulness and obedience, confident that God cares for the future.
2. **Humility and Dependence on God's Will:** The passage in [[James 4:13-16]] provides a stark warning against presumptuous planning. Here, αὔριον represents the future plans and ambitions that human beings often formulate without acknowledging the brevity of life or the sovereignty of God. James's rhetoric ("you do not know what tomorrow will bring") strips away human self-sufficiency, reminding believers that life itself is a fragile "mist." The proper response is humility, expressed in the phrase "If the Lord wills," acknowledging that all future endeavors are contingent upon divine permission and purpose.
3. **The Call to Live in the Present:** While not explicitly a *carpe diem* (seize the day) philosophy, the emphasis on not worrying about "tomorrow" implicitly encourages a focus on the "today" (cf. σήμερον `{{G4594}}`). This means attending to the responsibilities and opportunities of the present moment with diligence and faith, rather than being paralyzed by future anxieties or distracted by distant ambitions that may never materialize.
### Summary
G839 (αὔριον) is a Greek adverb meaning "to-morrow" or "the next day," with an etymological link to the freshness of morning air. While often used as a straightforward temporal indicator in narrative contexts (e.g., [[Acts 4:3]], [[Acts 20:7]]), its theological weight is most pronounced in didactic passages. In [[Matthew 6:34]], it underscores the call to trust God's providence and avoid anxious worry about the future. In [[James 4:13-14]], αὔριον highlights the uncertainty of human life and the necessity of humble reliance on God's sovereign will in all future planning. The word thus serves as a powerful reminder of the believer's dependence on God for both daily provision and the unfolding of life's journey, encouraging a present-focused faith rooted in divine care rather than human presumption.
TRV