ἄμεμπτος
ámemptos
G273 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Without fault, unimpeachable in conduct or character. The term indicates someone or something that cannot be justly accused of wrongdoing or blame; it denotes a state or quality of not being open to legitimate criticism. It is used especially to describe moral character or behavior that is above reproach, without blame, and not subject to censure in the eyes of others.
Semantic Range
blameless, faultless, irreproachable, above reproach, not open to valid criticism, unimpeachable in conduct or character
Root / Etymology
From the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not') and μεμπτός (memptos, 'blameworthy,' from μέμφομαι, 'to blame, to find fault with'). Thus, ἄμεμπτος means 'not blameworthy.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἄμεμπτος appears in both classical and Koine Greek, especially in moral and philosophical contexts to denote someone whose character is irreproachable. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently describes individuals who fulfill moral or religious obligations blamelessly, such as ritual observance or uprightness in community. In classical Greek, it may be used of persons, things, or actions that attract no justified criticism. In the New Testament, common English translations use 'blameless' or 'faultless,' but that can understate the communal or judicial aspect of the term—the emphasis is on being beyond just rebuke or accusation. The term is distinct from ἁγνός (pure) or δίκαιος (righteous), focusing specifically on freedom from valid reproach rather than positive virtue or legal standing. The word appears, for example, in Philippians 2:15, describing moral integrity in a 'crooked generation,' and in 1 Thessalonians 2:10, regarding apostles' conduct among the believers. The semantic field may overlap with ἀνέγκλητος ('not called to account'), but ἄμεμπτος often has a more active sense of demonstrated integrity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of μέμφομαι; irreproachable:--blameless, faultless, unblamable.
Root Family
ἄμεμπτος (amemptos) — not blameworthy, irreproachable, without fault, above criticism
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G274 | ἀμέμπτως | blameless |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G273-02 |
ἄμεμπτος | amemptos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
blameless | blameless | 2 |
G273-01 |
ἄμεμπτοι | amemptoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
blameless | blameless ones | 2 |
G273-03 |
ἀμέμπτους | amemptous | ADJ.P ACC F PL |
blameless | unimpeachable | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G273-01 |
Luke 1:6 | ἄμεμπτοι | amemptoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
blameless | blameless ones |
G273-01 |
Philippians 2:15 | ἄμεμπτοι | amemptoi | ADJ.A NOM M PL |
blameless | blameless ones |
G273-02 |
Philippians 3:6 | ἄμεμπτος | amemptos | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
blameless | blameless |
G273-03 |
1 Thessalonians 3:13 | ἀμέμπτους | amemptous | ADJ.P ACC F PL |
blameless | unimpeachable |
G273-02 |
Hebrews 8:7 | ἄμεμπτος | amemptos | ADJ.P NOM F SG |
blameless |