Lexical Summary amomos: Blameless, without blemish, faultless Original Word: ἄμωμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without blame, without blemish, faultless. From a (as a negative particle) and momos; unblemished (literally or figuratively) -- without blame (blemish, fault, spot), faultless, unblamable. see GREEK a see GREEK momos HELPS Word-studies 299 ámōmos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 3470 /mṓmos, "blemish") – properly, unblemished, without spot or blot (blight); (figuratively) morally, spiritually blameless, unblemished from the marring effects of sin. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 299a: ἄμωμονἄμωμον, , τό, amomum, a fragrant plant of India, having the foliage of the white vine (elsewhere, ampeloleuce) and seed, in clusters like grapes, from which ointment, was made (Pliny, h. n. 12, 13 (28)): Revelation 18:13 G L T Tr WH. (See B. D. American edition under the word.) STRONGS NT 299: ἄμωμοςἄμωμος, (μῶμος), without blemish, free from faultiness, as a victim without spot or blemish: 1 Peter 1:19 (Leviticus 22:21); Hebrews 9:14; in both places allusion is made to the sinless life of Christ. Ethically, without blemish, faultless, unblamable: Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 5:27; Colossians 1:22; Philippians 2:15 L T Tr WH; Jude 1:24; Revelation 14:5. (Often in the Sept.; (Hesiod, Simonides, Jamblichus), Herodotus 2, 177; Aeschylus Pers. 185; Theocritus, 18, 25.) (Synonym: see Trench, § ciii.; Tittmann 1:29f.) In the Septuagint the term designates animals without defect brought to the altar (for example, Leviticus 1:3; Numbers 6:14). The sacrificial setting fixes the idea of complete purity—nothing outwardly marred and nothing inwardly corrupt. Every New Testament writer who employs the word draws on that background, moving from literal sacrifice to spiritual and moral integrity. Fulfillment in Christ, the Spotless Lamb Hebrews 9:14 and 1 Peter 1:19 explicitly apply the concept to Jesus Christ. “He offered Himself unblemished to God” and is “a lamb without blemish or spot.” The Old Testament shadows culminate in the once-for-all sacrifice of the Son, whose moral perfection satisfied the holiness of God and secured eternal redemption. Believers Called to Share His Blamelessness Philippians 2:15 places the word in an ethical context: “that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation.” The church is summoned to reflect the purity of its Savior by shining “as lights in the world.” Ephesians 1:4 grounds this call in election—chosen “to be holy and blameless in His presence.” Colossians 1:22 shows its provision through reconciliation: believers are “presented…holy, unblemished, and blameless.” Jude 1:24 celebrates its final consummation when the Lord will “present you unblemished in His glorious presence with great joy.” Corporate Holiness and the Bride of Christ Ephesians 5:27 envisions Christ presenting the church “without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.” The term therefore defines the corporate identity and destiny of God’s people. Holiness is not merely individual but communal, anticipating the marriage supper of the Lamb. Eschatological Vindication Revelation 14:5 portrays the 144,000: “No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.” In apocalyptic symbolism the word marks those who remain faithful during tribulation and therefore stand vindicated before God’s throne. Warning Embedded in Worldly Commerce Revelation 18:13 lists “cattle [and] sheep” among the luxury goods of Babylon. Behind the commerce of “unblemished” livestock lies a stark contrast between empty market wealth and the true unblemished offering of Christ. What should have been reserved for worship has been commodified, exposing Babylon’s corruption and intensifying her judgment. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Worship: Only the perfect sacrifice of Christ grants access to God; every Eucharistic or Lord’s Table celebration proclaims that sufficiency. Historical Reception in the Church Early Christian writers (e.g., Ignatius, Polycarp) echoed the apostolic call to be “without blemish,” linking moral purity with martyr witness. Medieval theologians emphasized sacramental grace to cleanse every stain, while Reformation confessions highlighted the imputed blamelessness of Christ alongside the progressive work of sanctification. Modern evangelical missions literature often cites Philippians 2:15 to frame holy living as the root of effective evangelism. Theological Synthesis The term weaves together atonement, sanctification, ecclesiology, and eschatology. Christ’s unblemished sacrifice is the ground; the Spirit’s work produces present holiness; corporate purity adorns the bride; final presentation secures future glory. Thus every occurrence of the word, whether describing Christ, the church, or individual believers, ultimately magnifies the sufficiency of the Lamb and the transforming power of His redemption. Englishman's Concordance Ephesians 1:4 Adj-AMPGRK: ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ NAS: that we would be holy and blameless before KJV: holy and without blame before him INT: holy and blameless before him Ephesians 5:27 Adj-NFS Philippians 2:15 Adj-NNP Colossians 1:22 Adj-AMP Hebrews 9:14 Adj-AMS 1 Peter 1:19 Adj-GMS Jude 1:24 Adj-AMP Revelation 14:5 Adj-NMP Revelation 18:13 N-ANS Strong's Greek 299 |
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