Greek word · G423

ἀνεπίληπτος

anepilēptos

irreproachable

From the negative a(n)- and epilambanomai, 'to take hold of, seize, catch,' including catching someone out in a fault. So: unassailable, giving no grounds for accusation, irreproachable. Greek writers used it of conduct and reputation, and also of arguments or techniques with no flaw to exploit.

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀν-επί-λημπτος (Rec. -λμπτος; Bl., § 6, 8), -ον

(ἀ- ἐπιλαμβάνω)

without reproach: 1 Timothy 3:2 5:7 6:14.†

SYN.: ἀμεμπτος, ἀνέγκλητος. It is stronger than these, for it implies not only that the man is of good report, but that he is deservedly so (cf. MM, VGT, see word). (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 3:2

Range of meaning

From the negative a(n)- and epilambanomai, 'to take hold of, seize, catch,' including catching someone out in a fault. So: unassailable, giving no grounds for accusation, irreproachable. Greek writers used it of conduct and reputation, and also of arguments or techniques with no flaw to exploit.

Against the English

KJV 'blameless' and BSB/ESV/NIV 'above reproach' are both fair. 'Blameless' can sound like 'sinless' to a modern ear. The Greek is about reputation and conduct that leave no legitimate handle for a charge, not moral perfection.

How it drifted

In modern English 'blameless' often means 'having done nothing wrong at all.' The Greek picture is courtroom and public opinion: nobody can pin anything on him.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT only in 1 Timothy (3:2; 5:7; 6:14). It occurs in classical and Hellenistic writers, including Philo, in the sense 'unimpeachable.' The parallel list in Titus 1:6–7 uses anenklētos, 'unaccusable,' for the same idea.

From the study of 1 Timothy 6:14

Range of meaning

Literally "not able to be taken hold of" (from ἐπιλαμβάνομαι, to seize, catch hold of, catch someone out). Hence: giving no ground for accusation, irreproachable, above criticism. (Spelled with an extra μ, -λημπτος, in the manuscripts; same word.)

Against the English

"Above reproach," "blameless," "unrebukeable" (KJV) are accurate. What they lose is the vivid image: no loose end an accuser could grab.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in Greek writers for conduct that leaves no opening for criticism (BDAG). In the NT only in 1 Timothy: the overseer must be ἀνεπίληπτος (3:2); widows are to be taught so that they are ἀνεπίληπτοι (5:7); and here.

Where it appears

1 Timothy · 3

  1. 1 Timothy 3:2 ἀνεπίλημπτον above reproach

    An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

    Here: Literally 'not able to be grabbed hold of.' Nobody, inside the church or outside it (3:7), has a fair handle to grab him by. This general heading covers the specific items that follow.

  2. 1 Timothy 5:7 ἀνεπίλημπτοι above reproach

    Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

  3. 1 Timothy 6:14 ἀνεπίλημπτον above reproach

    Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ,

    Here: Literally "not able to be laid hold of": giving opponents no handle to grab for an accusation. The same word is required of overseers (3:2) and widows (5:7) in this letter, so it carries public-reputation overtones.

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