Greek word · G269

ἄμαχος

amachos

peacable

Literally 'without battle'. In classical Greek it can mean 'unconquerable' (one who cannot be fought) or 'not fighting'. In Hellenistic moral usage it means 'peaceable, not contentious, not quarrelsome'.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἄμαχος, -ον

(μάχη);

1. invincible (frequently in cl.).

2. abstaining from fighting, non-combatant (Xen.). Metaphorical (cf. MM, VGT, see word), not contentious: 1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 3:2.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 1 Timothy 3:3

Range of meaning

Literally 'without battle'. In classical Greek it can mean 'unconquerable' (one who cannot be fought) or 'not fighting'. In Hellenistic moral usage it means 'peaceable, not contentious, not quarrelsome'.

Against the English

BSB 'peaceable'. WEB 'not quarrelsome'. YLT 'not contentious'. KJV 'not a brawler'. The KJV's 'brawler' is a little too physical: the word covers arguing and contentiousness as much as fist-fights.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only here and in Titus 3:2, where believers in general are to be 'peaceable (amachous), gentle (epieikeis)'. That is the same pair as here, which shows these were a stock pairing in early Christian teaching.

From the study of Titus 3:2

Range of meaning

Literally 'without fighting.' It has two directions: (1) passive, 'not to be fought against', so invincible or irresistible (common in classical poetry and prose); (2) active, 'not inclined to fight', so peaceable or non-combative. The NT uses only sense (2).

Against the English

KJV has 'no brawlers', WEB and NASB 'not contentious', YLT 'not quarrelsome', BSB and NIV 'peaceable', ESV 'to avoid quarreling'. 'Brawler' now suggests fistfights, which is too narrow. The Greek covers verbal combativeness and a quarrelsome temperament as well.

How it drifted

The KJV's 'brawler' once meant a noisy wrangler or squabbler. In modern use it suggests physical fighting.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only here and in 1 Tim 3:3, where it is listed among an overseer's qualifications next to 'reasonable' (epieikēs), as here. In Hellenistic moral writing it is used of a person who keeps out of disputes.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 1

  1. 1 Timothy 3:3 ἄμαχον, peaceable,

    not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

    Here: 'Without fighting' (a- = 'not' + machē 'battle, fight'). He is not argumentative and does not go looking for conflict, whether verbal or physical. It extends 'not a striker' from fists to words.

Titus · 1

  1. Titus 3:2 ἀμάχους peaceable

    to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

    Here: Literally 'without battle' (a- 'not' + machē 'fight'): someone who does not pick fights or relish a quarrel. The same quality is required of an overseer in 1 Timothy 3:3; here every believer is to have it.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.