As I was reading further in Philippians, I came across another occurrence of the English word “blameless.” I saw that word in Chapter 1 (which I wrote about yesterday), and then it occurred again in Chapter 2. That made me wonder if it was the same Greek word. Turns out, it is not.
The “blameless” in Chapter 1 is “aproskopos.” It means “not causing to stumble, not stumbling.” It conveys the idea of free from harm or hurt, not offending nor causing offence. Paul prayed in Chapter 1 for his readers to have increasing knowledge and discernment so that they could approve things that are superior and could be “blamesless” (not stumbling, not causing others to stumble).
Then in Chapter 2, Paul reminds his readers of more important items that they need to watch out for.
“Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.” [Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB]
Paul’s word for “blameless” in this passage is “amemptos,” and it means simply “free from fault or defect, above reproach.”
Oh, beloved, we are to be above reproach in all things. We are not to grumble or argue. We are to be people of integrity and honesty, full of compassion and kindness and light. We are to be different from the world.
Paul described the world in his day as “a crooked and perverted generation.” We could describe the world in our day the same way. So, if we act like, or look like, or talk like the world … if we grumble and argue … how can we be light? How can we shine like stars?
Oh Father, help us to be light amid all this darkness. Amen.
