410. anegklétos

Lexical Summary

anegklétos: Blameless, above reproach, unaccused

Original Word: ἀνέγκλητος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: anegklétos
Pronunciation: ah-NEG-klay-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (an-eng'-klay-tos)
KJV: blameless
NASB: above reproach, beyond reproach, blameless
Word Origin: [from G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G1458 (ἐγκαλέω - accused)]

1. unaccused
2. (by implication) irreproachable, blameless

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

blameless.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of egkaleo; unaccused, i.e. (by implication) irreproachable -- blameless.

see GREEK a

see GREEK egkaleo

HELPS Word-studies

410 anégklētos (from 1 /A "not" and 1458 /egkaléō, "making legal charges against someone in a court of law") – properly, not convictable when a person is properly scrutinized – i.e. tried with correct logic ("legal reasoning"), i.e. logic approved in a court of law.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and egkaleó
Definition
not to be called to account, unreprovable
NASB Translation
above reproach (2), beyond reproach (2), blameless (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 410: ἀνέγκλητος

ἀνέγκλητος, ἀνέγκλητον (alpha privative and ἐγκαλέω, which see), that cannot be called to account, unreprovable, unaccused, blameless: 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22; 1 Timothy 3:10; Titus 1:6f (3Macc. 5:31; Xenophon, Plato, Demosthenes, Aristotle, others) (Cf. Trench, § ciii.)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Core Idea

Strong’s Greek 410, anegklētos, describes a condition of moral and legal unassailability—life and character so aligned with God’s standards that no legitimate charge can be brought. The term is forensic (courtroom) in flavor, yet deeply relational, highlighting a life transparent before both God and people.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• 1 Corinthians 1:8 – The congregation at Corinth is assured that Christ “will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Colossians 1:22 – Through the atoning work of Christ believers are presented “holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence.”
• 1 Timothy 3:10 – Prospective deacons must first be tested; if found “above reproach,” they may serve.
• Titus 1:6 – An elder must be “blameless, the husband of but one wife,” governing a household that silences any rightful accusation.
• Titus 1:7 – As God’s steward, an overseer likewise must be “blameless,” exhibiting a life free from vices that would bring reproach on the gospel.

Theological Significance

1. Gift of Grace: Colossians 1:22 roots blamelessness in reconciliation accomplished by Christ. It is first an imputed status resulting from substitutionary atonement, not self-generated righteousness.
2. Goal of Sanctification: 1 Corinthians 1:8 shows the Spirit’s ongoing work, preserving believers in that status until the Parousia. Blamelessness is both declared and developed.
3. Qualification for Leadership: The Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy; Titus) tie anegklētos to office-bearers. Leadership credibility springs from life consistency. The quality is not sinless perfection but the absence of substantiated, unresolved accusation.
4. Corporate Witness: When eldership and diaconate embody blamelessness, the church proclaims the transforming power of the gospel before a skeptical world.

Relation to Old Testament Concepts

Anegklētos echoes the Hebrew tam (“blameless,” Genesis 17:1; Job 1:1) and the sacrificial requirement of animals “without blemish” (Leviticus 1:3). Christ fulfills both patterns—the faultless Lamb and the truly blameless man—then imparts that standing to His people.

Christological Dimension

Only Jesus is inherently and perpetually blameless (Hebrews 7:26). Believers participate in His purity by union with Him. Consequently, the church’s call to be anegklētos is Christocentric: character must mirror the character of the Head.

Eschatological Horizon

The promise of being kept blameless “to the end” (1 Corinthians 1:8) evokes the final judgment scene. Assurance rests not in personal moral achievement but in the faithfulness of God who perfects what He begins (Philippians 1:6).

Historical Usage in the Early Church

Early apostolic fathers employed blamelessness as a yardstick for ordination. For example, Clement of Rome exhorts leaders to be “irreproachable in service,” reflecting the Pauline pattern. Throughout church history renewal movements have returned to this standard, emphasizing integrity over charisma.

Pastoral Application

• Self-examination: Leaders should invite scrutiny in doctrine, relationships, and stewardship.
• Congregational Safeguard: Clear, biblically based processes for assessing accusations protect both flock and shepherds.
• Discipleship Aim: Teaching and accountability structures ought to nurture ordinary believers toward lives that silence legitimate criticism (1 Peter 2:12).

Practical Implications for Modern Ministry

1. Transparency and Accountability: Financial, moral, and relational openness fosters trust.
2. Character over Credentials: Giftedness cannot substitute for blamelessness; churches must prioritize the latter in selection.
3. Culture Engagement: A blameless life offers compelling apologetic weight in societies suspicious of hypocrisy.
4. Hope for Restoration: Where blame is substantiated, repentance and discipline aim at eventual restoration to a life once again “above reproach.”

Summary

Anegklētos captures the beautiful tension of the gospel: declared innocence through Christ and developing integrity by the Spirit. It calls every believer—particularly those who lead—to embody a life that withstands scrutiny, magnifying the credibility of the message we proclaim.

Forms and Transliterations

ανεγκλητοι ανέγκλητοι ἀνέγκλητοι ανεγκλητον ανέγκλητον ἀνέγκλητον ανεγκλητος ανέγκλητος ἀνέγκλητος ανεγκλητους ανεγκλήτους ἀνεγκλήτους ανείλησεν anenkletoi anenklētoi anénkletoi anénklētoi anenkleton anenklēton anénkleton anénklēton anenkletos anenklētos anénkletos anénklētos anenkletous anenklētous anenklḗtous

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 1:8 Adj-AMP
GRK: ἕως τέλους ἀνεγκλήτους ἐν τῇ
NAS: you to the end, blameless in the day
KJV: the end, [that ye may be] blameless in
INT: to [the] end blameless in the

Colossians 1:22 Adj-AMP
GRK: ἀμώμους καὶ ἀνεγκλήτους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ
NAS: and blameless and beyond reproach--
KJV: and unreproveable in his
INT: unblameable and blameless before him

1 Timothy 3:10 Adj-NMP
GRK: εἶτα διακονείτωσαν ἀνέγκλητοι ὄντες
NAS: let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
KJV: being [found] blameless.
INT: then let them serve blameless being

Titus 1:6 Adj-NMS
GRK: τίς ἐστιν ἀνέγκλητος μιᾶς γυναικὸς
NAS: any man is above reproach, the husband
KJV: be blameless, the husband
INT: anyone is blameless of one wife

Titus 1:7 Adj-AMS
GRK: τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ἀνέγκλητον εἶναι ὡς
NAS: must be above reproach as God's
KJV: must be blameless, as the steward
INT: the overseer blameless to be as

Strong's Greek 410
5 Occurrences

ἀνέγκλητοι — 1 Occ.
ἀνέγκλητον — 1 Occ.
ἀνέγκλητος — 1 Occ.
ἀνεγκλήτους — 2 Occ.