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ἀνεπίληπτος

anepílēptos

G423 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Not liable to accusation or criticism; irreproachable, above reproach. Refers to someone or something that cannot be seized upon justly for fault, blame, or accusation. Used of persons characterized by an upright life or conduct for which no clear charge can be laid, especially in public, ethical, or religious contexts.

Semantic Range

irreproachable, blameless, above reproach, not open to valid accusation, unassailable (in reputation or conduct), not liable to criticism

Root / Etymology

From the privative prefix ἀ- (not) and ἐπιλήπτος (liable to be seized upon, susceptible), itself from ἐπιλαμβάνομαι ('to take hold of, seize'). Thus, 'not able to be seized (for fault or blame).'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical Greek with similar meaning ('irreproachable,' 'unassailable'), often used in contexts where character, conduct, or reputation was under scrutiny. In the New Testament (e.g. 1 Timothy 3:2, 3:10, 5:7, 6:14), it describes leaders or individuals who are to be above reproach, meaning that no substantiated accusation of misconduct can stand against them. The term stresses the absence of just grounds for criticism, rather than the impossibility of any accusation. Standard English translations such as 'blameless' or 'irreproachable' render the term but may not capture its full sense of being legally or morally unassailable. In the Septuagint and other Greek literature, functions as part of honor-shame language around public reputation, emphasizing integrity and uprightness not susceptible to just rebuttal. Closely related in meaning to ἀμῶμος ('blameless'), but ἀνεπίληπτος more directly evokes the image of unassailable legal or moral standing.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and a derivative of ἐπιλαμβάνομαι; not arrested, i.e. (by implication) inculpable:--blameless, unrebukeable.

Root Family

ἀνεπίληπτος (anepilēptos) — not able to be seized upon, irreproachable, above accusation

Root ἐπιληπτ- to seize, to grasp, to take hold of (with prefix ἀ- indicating negation: 'not able to be seized upon')

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G423-02 ἀνεπίλημπτον anepilempton ADJ.S ACC M SG above reproach irreproachable irreproachable 2
G423-01 ἀνεπίλημπτοι anepilemptoi ADJ.P NOM M PL above reproach irreproachable ones irreproachable 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G423-02 1 Timothy 3:2 ἀνεπίλημπτον anepilempton ADJ.S ACC M SG above reproach irreproachable irreproachable
G423-01 1 Timothy 5:7 ἀνεπίλημπτοι anepilemptoi ADJ.P NOM M PL above reproach irreproachable ones irreproachable
G423-02 1 Timothy 6:14 ἀνεπίλημπτον anepilempton ADJ.P ACC F SG unrebukeable irreproachable irreproachable
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