423. anepilémptos

Lexicon

anepilémptos: Blameless, above reproach

Original Word: ἀνεπίλημπτος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: anepilémptos
Pronunciation: an-ep-eel'-ape-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ep-eel'-ape-tos)
Definition: Blameless, above reproach
Meaning: irreproachable, never caught doing wrong.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

blameless, unrebukeable.

From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of epilambanomai; not arrested, i.e. (by implication) inculpable -- blameless, unrebukeable.

see GREEK a

see GREEK epilambanomai

HELPS Word-studies

423 anepílēptos (from 1 /A "not" and 1949 /epilambánomai, "apprehend") – properly, not apprehended (found wrong) when censured or attacked, i.e. without blame in light of the whole picture. Here the person (accuser) trying to seize someone's character by unjustified censure is shown to be groundless, i.e. when the matter is understood in its full context.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and epilambanomai
Definition
without reproach
NASB Translation
above reproach (2), reproach (1), without* (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 423: ἀνεπίληπτος

ἀνεπίληπτος (L T Tr WH ἀνεπίλημπτος; see Mu, ἀνεπίληπτον (alpha privative and ἐπιλαμβάνω), properly, not apprehended, that cannot be laid hold of; hence, that cannot be reprehended, not open to censure, irreproachable (Tittmann i., p. 31; Trench, § ciii.): 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:7; 1 Timothy 6:14. (Frequent in Greek writings from (Euripides and) Thucydides down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "not") and a derivative of ἐπιλαμβάνω (epilambanō, "to seize" or "to take hold of").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀνεπίλημπτος, the concept of being blameless or above reproach is present in the Hebrew Scriptures. Terms such as תָּמִים (tāmîm, Strong's Hebrew 8549), meaning "blameless" or "perfect," and נָקִי (nāqî, Strong's Hebrew 5355), meaning "innocent" or "free from guilt," convey similar ideas of moral integrity and uprightness. These terms are used to describe individuals who live in accordance with God's laws and are free from guilt or blame.

Usage: The word ἀνεπίλημπτος is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who are to be free from any charge of wrongdoing, particularly in the context of church leadership and personal conduct.

Context: The Greek term ἀνεπίλημπτος appears in the New Testament primarily in the Pastoral Epistles, where it is used to set the standard for those in positions of leadership within the church. In 1 Timothy 3:2, it is stated, "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." Here, ἀνεπίλημπτος is translated as "above reproach," indicating that an overseer or bishop must live a life that is beyond criticism, setting an example for the congregation in moral and ethical behavior.

Similarly, in 1 Timothy 5:7, Paul instructs Timothy to ensure that widows are "above reproach" so that they may receive support from the church. The emphasis is on maintaining a reputation that is free from scandal or legitimate accusation.

In Titus 1:6-7, the qualifications for elders include being "blameless" (ἀνεπίλημπτος), reinforcing the idea that those who lead must exhibit integrity and moral uprightness. This requirement underscores the importance of character in leadership, as leaders are to reflect the values and teachings of the Christian faith.

The concept of being ἀνεπίλημπτος is not limited to leaders but is a call for all believers to strive for a life that is consistent with the teachings of Christ, living in such a way that their conduct cannot be justly criticized by others.

Forms and Transliterations

ανεπιλημπτοι ἀνεπίλημπτοι ανεπιλημπτον ἀνεπίλημπτον ανεπίληπτοι ανεπίληπτον anepilemptoi anepilēmptoi anepílemptoi anepílēmptoi anepilempton anepilēmpton anepílempton anepílēmpton

Englishman's Concordance

1 Timothy 3:2 Adj-AMS
GRK: τὸν ἐπίσκοπον ἀνεπίλημπτον εἶναι μιᾶς
NAS: must be above reproach, the husband
KJV: must be blameless, the husband of one
INT: the overseer blameless to be of one

1 Timothy 5:7 Adj-NMP
GRK: παράγγελλε ἵνα ἀνεπίλημπτοι ὦσιν
NAS: so that they may be above reproach.
KJV: that they may be blameless.
INT: command that blameless they might be

1 Timothy 6:14 Adj-AFS
GRK: ἐντολὴν ἄσπιλον ἀνεπίλημπτον μέχρι τῆς
KJV: without spot, unrebukeable, until
INT: commandment spotless blameless until the

Strong's Greek 423
3 Occurrences

ἀνεπίλημπτοι — 1 Occ.
ἀνεπίλημπτον — 2 Occ.