ἀνέγκλητος

From the study of 1 Corinthians 1:8

Range of meaning

Literally 'un-charged': formed from the verb enkaleō, 'to bring a charge against, accuse in court'. So: someone against whom no accusation can be made, unimpeachable, irreproachable.

Against the English

'Blameless' (KJV, BSB, NIV, NASB, WEB) is fair, but modern ears often hear 'morally flawless, never did wrong'. ESV's 'guiltless' brings out the courtroom sense better. NLT's 'free from all blame' is close. YLT's 'unblamable' is literal but awkward.

How it drifted

English 'blameless' has moved from 'not open to accusation' toward 'sinless, perfect', so readers can take it as a claim about moral perfection rather than legal standing.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament it appears in the lists of qualifications for elders and deacons: a man of no reproach, against whom nothing can be charged (1 Tim 3:10; Titus 1:6–7). In Col 1:22 it is paired with 'holy' and 'without blemish', and there too the setting is presentation 'before him'. In ordinary Greek it describes a person with no grounds for complaint against them.

From the study of Colossians 1:22

Range of meaning

Not open to a charge, unaccusable, irreproachable. It comes from enkaleō, 'to bring a charge against' in court.

Against the English

'Blameless' (BSB, WEB, ESV-type renderings) is acceptable, but it can sound like a claim of flawless conduct. The Greek is about the legal outcome: no accusation stands. The NIV's 'free from accusation' catches this well.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 1:8 of being 'guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ', which is an end-time judgment setting. It is also used for church leaders who must be above reproach (1 Tim 3:10; Titus 1:6–7). In ordinary Greek it described someone against whom no complaint could fairly be lodged.

From the study of Titus 1:6

Range of meaning

Built from a- ('not') + enkaleō ('to bring a charge against, to accuse in court'). It means 'unaccusable': a person against whom no charge can properly be brought, with nothing that could be laid against him. The word is about whether a person is open to accusation, not a claim of inner sinlessness.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT have 'blameless' and BSB has 'blameless'; ESV/NASB-type versions prefer 'above reproach', which comes closer. 'Blameless' can suggest moral perfection to modern ears. The Greek is narrower and more concrete: there is no legitimate charge to point to.

How it drifted

In church usage 'blameless' has picked up a sense of 'without sin', which turns the requirement into an impossible standard. The Greek is a legal and public-reputation word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Paul uses it of believers presented 'unaccusable' at the judgment (1 Cor 1:8; Col 1:22), where the courtroom picture is explicit. In 1 Tim 3:10 deacons must be tested and then serve 'if they are unaccusable'. In ordinary Greek the word describes conduct that gives no grounds for a legal or civic complaint.