help on word construction

Robert Peters

I am studying Titus 1:6, "above reporoach" (ἀνέγκλητος), This word has very few occurances, 5NT, 0LXX, and very few in early church fathers. I am finding very little on a signifficant content regarding this word. I was wondering is there a good resource that can give me information on this word? I know  ἀν means not. κλητος means invite, but nothing on έγ, but in other words of kaleo as the root it seems to indicate a negative intensify like in the word for accuse. Any thoughts? 

Lonnie Spencer

The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology says

NT

1. anenklētos, not accused, without reproach, is found in the NT along with the other related terms mentioned in CL 2 above. In relation to their original meanings the words have here taken on theological ideas arising to a considerable extent from their context. The meaning of anenklētos in the Pastorals (Tit. 1:6f.; 1 Tim. 3:10) is akin to the usage in Hellenistic colloquial speech. Under discussion here are the qualifications for office in the church as a deacon, elder or → bishop. The other adjectives used in this context indicate that the meaning is beyond reproach, in the ordinary sense of common respectability. Thus in addition to qualifications of a spiritual nature, ordinary standards of decency are made into preconditions of office in the church, for the sake of the church’s good name in the world. The adoption of Hellenistic Stoic ideas also marks other aspects of the theology of the Pastoral Epistles.