ἀνεπί-ληπτος G0423
blameless, above reproach; not open to criticism or attack
An adjective describing someone against whom no legitimate charge can be brought. Overseers must be 'above reproach' (1 Tim 3:2). Widows enrolled for support should be 'blameless' (1 Tim 5:7). Timothy must keep the commandment 'without reproach' until Christ's appearing (1 Tim 6:14). Classical usage describes military positions not open to attack and things perfect or subject to no control. The term emphasizes public reputation.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Denotes irreproachable character—not necessarily sinless perfection but freedom from legitimate accusation. Church leaders must have reputations beyond criticism so the gospel isn't discredited. Widows enrolled for support must be known for blameless life—their character validated by observation. Timothy's charge is eschatological: maintain unassailable conduct until Christ returns. Multilingual consensus (Spanish 'irreprensible,' French forms, German 'untadelig') emphasizes the public dimension—able to withstand scrutiny. 3×
AR["بِلا-لَوْمٍ"]·ben["নিন্দাহীন", "নিন্দাহীন,"]·DE["untadelig"]·EN["blameless"]·FR["ἀνεπίλημπτοι", "ἀνεπίλημπτον"]·heb["בִּלְתִּי-דֹפִי"]·HI["निरदोश"]·ID["tanpa-cela", "tidak-bercela"]·IT["anepilēmptoi", "anepilēmpton"]·jav["ora-cacat", "tanpa-cacat,"]·KO["나무랄-데-없는,", "흡-없는-자들로", "흡-없는-자로"]·PT["irrepreensíveis", "irrepreensível"]·RU["безупречно", "непорочным", "непорочными"]·ES["irreprensible", "irreprensibles"]·SW["awe-bila-lawama", "bila-lawama"]·TR["kusursuz"]·urd["بے-الزام"]
Related Senses
H2896a 1. good (quality or moral) (305×)H7563 1. wicked person (259×)H7451c 1. moral evil or wickedness (234×)H5771 1. iniquity, sin, wrongdoing (222×)H6662 1. righteous person (substantive) (195×)G0266 1. sin, failure, transgression (173×)H2403b 1. sin, transgression (170×)H2617a 1. Covenant faithfulness, steadfast love (167×)H2398 1. Qal: to sin, commit sin (165×)H6666 1. righteousness, moral uprightness (145×)G5485 1. grace, divine favor (141×)H7451a 1. morally evil, wicked (129×)H2403b 2. sin-offering, sacrifice for sin (120×)G2570 1. good, right, excellent (98×)H6588 1. transgression, offense against God (88×)G0018 1. good (moral quality) (85×)H2896b 1. good, what is good (85×)H7451b 1. evil, wickedness (moral) (83×)H7451a 2. evil, harm, calamity (80×)G1342 1. righteous, upright (of persons) (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀνεπί-ληπτος, ον, not open to attack, τοῖς ἐχθροῖςRefs 5th c.BC+; not censured, blameless, βίος variant in Refs 5th c.BC+; perfect, τέχνηRefs 1st c.AD+; ἀνεπιληπτότερον less open to criticism, Refs 5th c.BC+; ἐξουσία ἀ. not subject to control, Refs 1st c.BC+; unassailable, not subject to cancellation, συγγραφαίRefs. adverb -τωςRefs 5th c.BC+