Brief Overview of ἄπταιστος (G679: áptaistos)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: áptaistos

Root Words:

• ἄ- (a-): A prefix meaning “without” or “not.”
• πτάω (ptáō): Meaning “to stumble” or “to fall.”
• -τος (-tos): A suffix forming adjectives.

Primary Meanings:

• The term ἄπταιστος means “without stumbling” or “unerring.”
• It denotes something that is free from errors, faults, or mistakes, indicating perfection or reliability.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich): BDAG defines ἄπταιστος as “without error” or “blameless.” It emphasizes the quality of being impeccable or free from faults, especially in a moral or ethical sense.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἄπταιστος as “unerring” or “faultless,” underscoring its use to denote a state of being without errors or moral faults.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary explains that ἄπταιστος refers to someone or something that is “faultless” or “free from stumbling,” highlighting its application in contexts requiring moral and ethical integrity.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): The LSJ lexicon defines ἄπταιστος as “without fault” or “blameless,” indicating its use to describe actions or states that are flawless or beyond reproach.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s Concordance lists ἄπταιστος as “unerring” or “without stumbling,” referring to a quality of being faultless and perfect.

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Bible Verses:

• Jude 1:24 (KJV): “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.”
• This verse highlights the term’s application in describing a state of being unblemished and flawless before God.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature up to 100 AD, ἄπταιστος was used to convey the idea of being flawless or without error:

• Plato’s “Phaedo”: Reflects discussions on the nature of unerring or flawless qualities in philosophical arguments.
• Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics”: Examines concepts of moral and ethical perfection, aligning with the notion of being ἄπταιστος.
• Xenophon’s “Memorabilia”: Uses the term to describe ideal characteristics of virtuous individuals.

4. Summary:

The Greek word ἄπταιστος (G679: áptaistos) signifies being “unerring” or “without fault.” It describes a state of being free from errors or moral imperfections. Across various lexicons, ἄπταιστος is consistently defined as faultless or impeccable. In classic Greek literature, it is used to express the ideal of moral and ethical perfection, illustrating its significance in both philosophical and ethical contexts.