Lexical Summary dokimazo: To test, to prove, to examine, to approve Original Word: δοκιμάζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance allow, discern, examine, approve, try. From dokimos; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve -- allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try. see GREEK dokimos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1381 dokimázō (from 1384 /dókimos, "approved") – properly, to try (test) to show something is acceptable (real, approved); put to the test to reveal what is good (genuine). See 1384 (dokimos). 1381 /dokimázō ("to approve by testing") is done to demonstrate what is good, i.e. passes the necessary test. 1381 (dokimázō) does not focus on disproving something (i.e. to show it is bad). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1381: δοκιμάζωδοκιμάζω; (future δοκιμάσω); 1 aorist ἐδοκίμασά; passive, (present δοκιμάζομαι); perfect δεδοκίμασμαι; (δόκιμος); the Sept. chiefly for בָּחַן; as in Greek writings from (Herodotus, Thucydides), Xenophon, and Plato onward, to try; 1. to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing be genuine or not), as metals: χρυσίον διά πυρός (Isocrates, p. 240 d. (i. e. Panathen. § 14); ad Demon., p. 7 b. (here Bekker βασανίζομεν); the Sept., Proverbs 8:10; Sir. 2:5; Wis. 3:6; ἄργυρον, Proverbs 17:3 (cf. Zechariah 13:9)), 1 Peter 1:7; other things: Luke 12:56; Luke 14:19; 2 Corinthians 8:8; Galatians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; τά διαφέροντα, Romans 2:18; Philippians 1:10 (others refer these passages to 2; see διαφέρω, 2 b.); men, 1 Timothy 3:10 (in the passive); ἑαυτόν, 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5 (cf. ἐξετάζειν ἑαυτόν, Xenophon, mem. 2, 5, 1 and 4); Θεόν, Hebrews 3:9 (R G, from Psalm 94:9 2. to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy: 1 Corinthians 16:3; τινα σπουδαῖον ὄντα, 2 Corinthians 8:22; ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει for ἐν τούτῳ, ὁ δοκιμάζει in that which he approves, deems right, Romans 14:22; δεδοκιμάσμεθα ὑπό τοῦ Θεοῦ πιστευθῆναι τό εὐαγγέλιον we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the business of pointing out to men the way of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 2:4; our οὐκ ἐδοκίμασαν τόν Θεόν ἔχειν ἐν ἐπιγνώσει they did not think God worthy to be kept in knowledge, Romans 1:28. (On δοκιμάζω (as compared with πειράζω) see Trench, § lxxiv.; Cremer, under the word πειράζω. Compare: ἀποδοκιμάζω.) STRONGS NT 1381a: δοκιμασίαδοκιμασία, δοκιμασίας, ἡ, a proving, putting to the proof: πειράζειν ἐν δοκιμασία to tempt by proving, Hebrews 3:9 L T Tr WH. ((Lysias), Xenophon, Plato, Demosthenes, Polybius, Plutarch, others; λίθος δοκιμασίας, Sir. 6:21.) Strong’s Greek 1381 (dokimazō) centers on the idea of examining something to reveal its true worth, so that what is found genuine may be affirmed and retained. The verb occurs twenty-two times in the New Testament and always carries a moral or spiritual weight: God tests people, believers test themselves, and the church tests teaching, deeds, and ministry gifts. The purpose is never mere curiosity but redemptive verification—separating what is counterfeit from what honors Christ. Background: Ancient Usage In the Greco-Roman world the term was used of assaying metals, approving coinage, scrutinizing animals for sacrifice, or testing candidates for public office. Only the object that passed the scrutiny received the mark of approval. That marketplace and temple imagery underlies every New Testament occurrence, illustrating the seriousness of spiritual authenticity. Biblical Range and Themes 1. God’s Testing and Approval • Paul writes, “Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). The passive perfect (“have been approved”) underscores a completed divine assessment that results in ongoing ministry trust. 2. Personal Discernment and Renewal • Romans 12:2 ties dokimazō to transformation: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Spiritual metamorphosis enables accurate moral testing. 3. Assessment of Ministry and Leaders • Prospective deacons must “first be tested; then if they are above reproach, let them serve” (1 Timothy 3:10). The church is responsible to evaluate character and competence before commissioning. 4. Corporate Examination of Teaching • “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). Doctrinal orthodoxy and the confession of Jesus Christ in the flesh are the touchstones. 5. Self-Examination of Faith • “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). The command safeguards against mere verbal profession. Christ in the believer is the evidence that withstands scrutiny. 6. Purification through Trials • Romans 14:22 reminds the strong conscience to walk in love: “Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Choices tolerated must still meet the test of edifying others. Historical and Ministry Significance Throughout church history, the principle of dokimazō undergirded confessional statements, the canon’s recognition, ordination processes, and disciplinary councils. Whether sifting heresy at Nicaea or examining missionary candidates, the church reflected the New Testament mandate to verify authenticity before commendation. For pastoral ministry today, dokimazō encourages: Practical Applications for Believers Today 1. Submit to God’s refining trials, trusting His goal is approval, not condemnation. Englishman's Concordance Luke 12:56 V-PNAGRK: οὐρανοῦ οἴδατε δοκιμάζειν τὸν καιρὸν NAS: You know how to analyze the appearance KJV: ye can discern the face INT: sky you know [how] to discern the time Luke 12:56 V-PNA Luke 14:19 V-ANA Romans 1:28 V-AIA-3P Romans 2:18 V-PIA-2S Romans 12:2 V-PNA Romans 14:22 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 3:13 V-FIA-3S 1 Corinthians 11:28 V-PMA-3S 1 Corinthians 16:3 V-ASA-2P 2 Corinthians 8:8 V-PPA-NMS 2 Corinthians 8:22 V-AIA-1P 2 Corinthians 13:5 V-PMA-2P Galatians 6:4 V-PMA-3S Ephesians 5:10 V-PPA-NMP Philippians 1:10 V-PNA 1 Thessalonians 2:4 V-RIM/P-1P 1 Thessalonians 2:4 V-PPA-DMS 1 Thessalonians 5:21 V-PMA-2P 1 Timothy 3:10 V-PMM/P-3P 1 Peter 1:7 V-PPM/P-GNS 1 John 4:1 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 1381 |
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