ἀπρόσκοπος
apróskopos
G677 attributive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Not causing offense or stumbling; not leading another into error or sin. The term conveys the sense of being without blame or giving no cause for moral stumbling, and in some contexts, being irreproachable, above reproach, or blameless. It can be used of an action, conduct, or character that does not provoke criticism or lead others astray.
Semantic Range
not causing to stumble (others or oneself), not giving offense, blameless, irreproachable, not provoking criticism, not leading into error or sin
Root / Etymology
From the alpha privative (ἀ-, meaning 'not') and προσκόπτω ('to stumble' or 'to strike against'); thus, ἀπρόσκοπος literally means 'not causing to stumble.' The formation is transparent and reflects a negative prefix joined to the idea of stumbling or taking offense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical Greek, the concept of 'causing to stumble' (προσκόπτειν) could refer to both physical and metaphorical stumbling—such as tripping over an obstacle or encountering a moral lapse. Ἀπρόσκοπος appears in later Hellenistic Greek rather than early classical sources, with attestations especially in moral or ethical discourse of the Hellenistic, Second Temple, and early Christian periods. In New Testament usage (e.g., Acts 24:16; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Philippians 1:10), being ἀπρόσκοπος involves not setting a moral or ethical stumbling block for oneself or for others. English translations often render ἀπρόσκοπος as 'without offense,' 'blameless,' or 'not causing offense,' but these can obscure the original metaphor of stumbling. The term connects to debates over individual responsibility, communal harmony, and avoiding actions that might lead others (or oneself) into transgression or sin.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of προσκόπτω; actively, inoffensive, i.e. not leading into sin; passively, faultless, i.e. not led into sin:--none (void of, without) offence.
Root Family
ἀπρόσκοπος (aproskopos) — not causing to stumble, not giving offense, blameless, irreproachable
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G677-01 |
ἀπρόσκοποι | aproskopoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
without offense | not-causing-stumbling ones | not-causing-stumbling ones | 2 |
G677-02 |
ἀπρόσκοπον | aproskopon | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
blameless | not causing stumbling | blameless | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G677-02 |
Acts 24:16 | ἀπρόσκοπον | aproskopon | ADJ.A ACC F SG |
blameless | not causing stumbling | blameless |
G677-01 |
1 Corinthians 10:32 | ἀπρόσκοποι | aproskopoi | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
without offense | not-causing-stumbling ones | not-causing-stumbling ones |
G677-01 |
Philippians 1:10 | ἀπρόσκοποι | aproskopoi | ADJ.S NOM M PL |
without offense | not-causing-stumbling ones | not-causing-stumbling ones |