Lexical Summary aspilos: Unblemished, spotless, without stain Original Word: ἄσπιλος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without spot, unstained From a (as a negative particle) and spiloo; unblemished (physically or morally) -- without spot, unspotted. see GREEK a see GREEK spiloo HELPS Word-studies 784 áspilos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "without" and 4696 /spílos, "spot, blemish") – properly, unspotted (unstained); (figuratively) undefiled and hence fully acceptable. 784 /áspilos ("unspotted," literally, "without spot or stain") refers to what is morally (spiritually) untainted, i.e. morally unblemished (pure) – "free from censure, irreproachable, free from vice, unsullied" (K. Wuest). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and spilos Definition spotless, unstained NASB Translation spotless (2), stain (1), unstained (1), without* (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 784: ἄσπιλοςἄσπιλος, ἄσπιλον (σπίλος a spot), spotless: ἀμνός, 1 Peter 1:19; (ἵππος, Herodian, 5, 6, 16 (7, Bekker edition); μῆλον, Anthol. Pal. 6, 252, 3). metaphorically, free from censure, irreproachable, 1 Timothy 6:14; free from vice, unsullied, 2 Peter 3:14; ἀπό τοῦ κόσμου, James 1:27 (Buttmann, § 132, 5). (In ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Word Family and Semantic Range Strong’s Greek 784, ἄσπιλος, belongs to a cluster of purity terms that include ἄμωμος (“blameless,” Strong’s 299) and καθαρός (“clean,” Strong’s 2513). Together they describe the absence of moral or ceremonial stain. While ἄμωμος emphasizes legal blamelessness, ἄσπιλος highlights the absence of any defiling spot, whether literal or figurative. Old Testament Background The Septuagint frequently renders the Hebrew tāmîm (“without blemish”) with ἄμωμος, but ἄσπιλος appears in select sacrificial passages (for example, Numbers 19:2 LXX concerning the red heifer). This background ties the word to offerings acceptable to God, establishing a trajectory from ritual purity to ethical purity that the New Testament writers build upon. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. 1 Peter 1:19 – Christ is likened to “a lamb without blemish or spot,” anchoring ἄσπιλος in the Passover and daily sacrificial imagery. Christological Significance The prime referent is Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 1:19. The spotless Lamb fulfills every Old Testament sacrifice, offering the only perfectly pure life. His ἄσπιλος blood provides the basis for justification and sets the standard for the believer’s sanctification. Because He is ἄσπιλος, the redeemed are called to share His purity (Hebrews 2:11, though the term itself is not used there). Ethical and Ecclesiological Implications James 1:27 links compassion and purity. The community that serves orphans and widows must also “keep itself unstained.” Thus social action and moral integrity are two sides of one coin; neither can replace the other. 1 Timothy 6:14 shows that leadership must exemplify ἄσπιλος conduct lest the gospel message suffer reproach. 2 Peter 3:14 expands the demand to the entire church, rooting spotless living in the hope of cosmic renewal. Eschatological Dimension Peter’s letters couple ἄσπιλος with the final revelation of Christ and the dissolution of the present heavens and earth. Purity is not mere private morality; it is preparation for dwelling in eternal righteousness (2 Peter 3:13–14). The coming age will be free from every defilement; therefore believers pursue that quality now. Pastoral Application • Gospel proclamation: Emphasize Christ’s ἄσπιλος sacrifice as the fountain of forgiveness. Doctrinal Themes Purity – believers share Christ’s holiness (Hebrews 12:14). Perseverance – the spotless life is to be maintained “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:14). Hope – a new creation free of defilement drives present obedience (2 Peter 3:14). Summary Ἄσπιλος portrays the absence of any defiling stain. In Christ it describes perfect sacrificial purity; in believers it describes the Spirit-empowered pursuit of moral integrity, social compassion, and eschatological readiness. Forms and Transliterations ασπιλοι άσπιλοι ἄσπιλοι ασπιλον άσπιλον ἄσπιλον ασπιλου ασπίλου ἀσπίλου aspiloi áspiloi aspilon áspilon aspilou aspílouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 6:14 Adj-AFSGRK: τὴν ἐντολὴν ἄσπιλον ἀνεπίλημπτον μέχρι NAS: the commandment without stain KJV: [this] commandment without spot, unrebukeable, INT: the commandment spotless blameless until James 1:27 Adj-AMS 1 Peter 1:19 Adj-GMS 2 Peter 3:14 Adj-NMP Strong's Greek 784 |
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