Greek word · G274

ἀμέμπτως

amemptōs

blamelessly

Without blame, in a way that gives no ground for complaint (from ἀ- 'not' + μέμφομαι 'to find fault, complain'). Used in Greek epitaphs and honorary inscriptions for officials, spouses and servants who carried out their duties without reproach.

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

What it means

ἀ-μέμπτως,

adv. (ἄμεμπτος), [in LXX: Esther 3:13 * ;]

blamelessly (Lft., Notes, 28, 89; MM, VGT, see word -ος): 1 Thessalonians 2:10 3:13 WH mg., 5:23.†

(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 Thessalonians 2:10

Range of meaning

Without blame, in a way that gives no ground for complaint (from ἀ- 'not' + μέμφομαι 'to find fault, complain'). Used in Greek epitaphs and honorary inscriptions for officials, spouses and servants who carried out their duties without reproach.

Against the English

Most versions: 'blameless(ly)', KJV 'unblameably', NLT 'faultless'. 'Faultless' pushes toward 'without any flaw', which is more than the word claims. 'Blameless' is fine if it is understood as 'irreproachable', not 'sinless'.

How it drifted

Later debates about Christian perfection and sinlessness can make 'blameless' sound like a claim to have no sin. The Greek word works in the social and legal world: no one can rightly lodge a complaint.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint the adjective ἄμεμπτος describes Job (Job 1:1, 8) and Abraham's call (Gen 17:1, 'be blameless'). Paul uses the adverb again at 1 Thess 3:13 and 5:23, praying that God will keep the Thessalonians 'blameless' at the Lord's coming. He uses the adjective of himself in Phil 3:6 ('as to righteousness under the law, blameless'). Inscriptions praise people who lived ἀμέμπτως (for example, wives in funerary epitaphs).

Similar words

Where it appears

1 Thessalonians · 2

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 ἀμέμπτως blamelessly

    You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.

    Here: So that no one could fairly bring a complaint or charge against them. It is about being beyond reproach, not about being sinless.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ἀμέμπτως blameless

    Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Here: 'In a way no one can find fault with.' The word comes from accountability and inspection: when the Lord arrives and looks them over, there will be no charge against them. Paul used the same word of his own conduct among them (2:10).

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