Lexical Summary aptaistos: Without stumbling, faultless, blameless Original Word: ἄπταιστος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without stumbling, without sinFrom a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of ptaio; not stumbling, i.e. (figuratively) without sin -- from falling. see GREEK a see GREEK ptaio NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and ptaió Definition without stumbling NASB Translation stumbling (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 679: ἄπταιστοςἄπταιστος, ἀπτιαστον (πταίω, which see), not stumbling, standing firm, exempt from falling (properly, of a horse, Xenophon, de re eq. 1, 6); metaphorically: Jude 1:24. (Cf. Winers Grammar, 97 (92); Buttmann, 42 (37).) Topical Lexicon Concept Overview Derived from a verb meaning “to stumble,” the adjective ἀπταίστους in Jude 1:24 depicts a state of being kept so securely by God that no fall can occur. The idea touches every dimension of redemption: present perseverance, ongoing sanctification, and future glorification. Old Testament Foundations Old Covenant writers frequently pictured Yahweh as the guardian of His people’s steps. Psalm 121:3 declares, “He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber”. Proverbs 4:11-12 promises that the path of wisdom will keep the feet from faltering. These verses prepare the theological soil for Jude’s doxology, where the God who guarded Israel now guards every believer in Messiah. New Testament Usage ἀπταίστους appears once, in Jude 1:24: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence with great joy”. The lone occurrence is strategic. Jude’s short letter warns against apostasy (Jude 1:3-23); the final doxology grounds the church’s confidence, not in human vigilance, but in divine power. Other writers echo the theme with different vocabulary—“you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10) and “no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28)—but Jude concentrates the promise into one Spirit-inspired word. Theological Significance 1. Divine Preservation. God’s ability “to keep” confirms His absolute sovereignty over the believer’s perseverance (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Historical Reception Early Christians incorporated Jude 24-25 into baptismal liturgies and evening prayers, celebrating God’s safeguarding grace. Chrysostom highlighted the verse to assure penitents that genuine repentance would not end in ruin. During the Reformation, the text fortified discussions on the perseverance of the saints; post-Reformation hymnody (e.g., Charles Wesley’s “To Him Who Is Able”) echoed the same hope. Practical Ministry Application • Pastoral Assurance: When counseling believers plagued by fear of failure, Jude 1:24 provides an anchor. Related Biblical Themes and Texts Psalm 37:23-24; Isaiah 40:11; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 1:5. Each reference affirms, in complementary language, the reality encapsulated by ἀπταίστους. Summary Strong’s Greek 679 crystallizes the gospel promise of an unwavering walk sustained by divine grace. Believers contend, grow, and worship with confidence, knowing that the God who called them is also the One “able to keep [them] from stumbling.” Forms and Transliterations απταιστους απταίστους ἀπταίστους aptaistous aptaístousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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