ἄμωμος (amōmos)
amōmos
blameless
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective amōmos describes something that is without blemish or spot. Its root meaning comes from the world of ancient sacrifice, where an animal had to be physically perfect to be offered to God. The sources note that this term often translates the Hebrew tamim in the Septuagint, which carries a similar sense of wholeness and integrity.
In the New Testament, the word shifts from physical perfection to moral purity. It is applied to Christ as a sacrifice without stain (Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19) and to believers who are presented before God in this state (Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 2:15). The term appears eight times, with significant usage in Ephesians, Revelation, and Philippians.
A key distinction lies in its focus on the absence of fault rather than the presence of active virtue. While synonyms like aspinos emphasize freedom from stain, amōmos highlights a state of being unblemished and complete. This imagery underlines the high standard of holiness required for those who approach the divine.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ἄμωμος originally described an animal without physical blemish, suitable for sacrifice in ancient temples. In the New Testament, it shifts to describe a moral and spiritual wholeness. It is not about being flawless in every human sense, but rather about being set apart and free from the stains that separate us from God.
This truth offers deep comfort. We are chosen by God before time began to be holy and without defect (Ephesians 1:4). This status is secured through Christ, who offered Himself without blemish to God (Hebrews 9:14). Because of His work, believers can stand before God not in their own merit, but clothed in the perfection of Jesus.
Living as blameless children of God means reflecting His light in a crooked generation (Philippians 2:15). It is an invitation to walk in integrity and love, trusting that God Himself keeps us from stumbling and presents us faultless before His glory (Jude 1:24). This hope anchors our faith when we feel weak or imperfect.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- blameless4×
- unblemished2×
- without blemish1×
- blameless.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀμώμους3×
- ἄμωμοί1×
- ἄμωμος.1×
- ἄμωμον1×
- ἄμωμα1×
- ἀμώμου1×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 1:4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
This verse establishes that our blameless status is rooted in God's eternal choice, not our own performance.
-
Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Here the word describes Christ's perfect self-offering, which cleanses our conscience and enables true service to God.
-
Philippians 2:15
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
Paul uses this term to describe how believers should live visibly as lights in a distorted world, reflecting their identity as God's children.
-
Jude 1:24
Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
This final occurrence highlights God's power to keep believers from stumbling and present them faultless before His glory with great joy.