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ἀμέμπτως

amémptōs

G274 adverb

SILEX Entry

Root μέμπ- to blame, to reproach, to censure

Definition

In a manner free from fault or blame; irreproachably, blamelessly. Denotes conduct or behavior that cannot be censured, judged blameworthy, or found at fault. The primary sense is of action or life lived without giving grounds for criticism, whether before others or according to a standard.

Semantic Range

blamelessly, irreproachably, in a manner free from blame, above reproach, without occasion for criticism

Root / Etymology

Adverb formation from the adjective ἄμεμπτος ('blameless, irreproachable'), which derives from the negative prefix ἀ- ('not') and μέμφομαι ('to blame, reproach'). Thus, the etymological sense is 'without blame.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used rarely in extant Greek literature, ἀμέμπτως appears primarily in post-classical and Koine Greek, especially in moral and ethical contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it describes the manner of life or behavior of a person who fulfills obligations or adheres to expectations without providing occasion for legitimate criticism (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 2:10; 5:23). The term lacks the connotation of absolute perfection and instead focuses on the absence of grounds for realistic reproach. In English tradition, closely related to 'blamelessly,' but the nuance of being above legitimate blame or accusation is stronger in Koine use. Classical Greek more often uses ἀνέγκλητα ('unaccused') or ἀναμφισβήτητος ('unquestioned') with similar semantics; ἀμέμπτως emphasizes conformity to ethical standards or community norms. Not a theological term, but often appears in contexts describing religious or moral propriety.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from ἄμεμπτος; faultlessly:--blameless, unblamably.

Root Family

ἄμεμπτος (amemptos) — without blame, irreproachable, not to be censured

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G273 ἄμεμπτος blameless ones

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G274-01 ἀμέμπτως amemptos ADV blameless blameless 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G274-01 1 Thessalonians 2:10 ἀμέμπτως amemptos ADV blamelessly blameless
G274-01 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ἀμέμπτως amemptos ADV blameless blameless
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