The Greek adjective ἀνέγκλητος (anegklētos) means “blameless,” “irreproachable,” or “without accusation.” It is derived from the prefix ἀν- (an-), meaning “not,” and ἔγκλημα (egklēma), meaning “accusation” or “crime.” The term describes someone who is free from blame or fault, particularly in a moral or ethical sense.
Detailed Overview
According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνέγκλητος (G410) is used in the New Testament to denote a person who is blameless or above reproach. It appears in 1 Timothy 3:10 and Titus 1:6, where it describes the qualifications for deacons and elders in the church. The term emphasizes the importance of being without fault or accusation in leadership roles within the Christian community.
The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon provides further context by noting that ἀνέγκλητος refers to someone who is beyond reproach or accusation. BDAG highlights its use in ecclesiastical settings, stressing the need for leaders to maintain an impeccable character and avoid any grounds for blame or criticism.
The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this understanding by describing ἀνέγκλητος as “blameless” or “irreproachable.” LSJ emphasizes its application in contexts where moral integrity and freedom from accusations are essential, particularly in the context of qualifications for leadership.
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In summary, ἀνέγκλητος primarily means “blameless” or “irreproachable,” reflecting a state of being free from fault or accusation. This meaning is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing individuals who are without blame, especially in leadership roles within biblical and classical Greek literature.
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