Lexical Summary ekpeirazó: To test thoroughly, to tempt, to try Original Word: ἐκπειράζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tempt. From ek and peirazo; to test thoroughly -- tempt. see GREEK ek see GREEK peirazo HELPS Word-studies 1598 ekpeirázō (from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 3985 /peirázō, "tempt") – properly, test out, i.e. with the outcome of testing to an extreme (unwarranted) degree; "hyper-test," going to improper measures which exceed appropriate boundaries and pushing the one tested beyond reasonable (proper) limits. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and peirazó Definition to test thoroughly, tempt NASB Translation put (2), put...to the test (1), test (2), try (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1598: ἐκπειράζωἐκπειράζω; future ἐκπειράσω; (1 aorist ἐξεπείρασα, 1 Corinthians 10:9b L marginal reading T WH marginal reading); a word wholly biblical (put by Philo (de congr. erud. grat. § 30, Mang. 1:543) for the Sept.'s πειράζω in quoting Deuteronomy 8:2); to prove, test, thoroughly (A. V. tempt): τινα his mind and judgment, Luke 10:25; τόν Θεόν, to put to proof God's character and power: Matthew 4:7; Luke 4:12, after Deuteronomy 6:16, where for נִסָּה; τόν Χριστόν, by irreligion and immorality to test the patience or the avenging power of Christ (exalted to God's right hand), 1 Corinthians 10:9a ((yet L T WH Tr text κύριον), 9b L marginal reading T WH marginal reading Cf. Psalm 77:18 Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 1598 describes an intensive form of “testing” directed toward God or His appointed representatives. It carries a negative nuance: to probe, try, or tempt with hostile or skeptical intent, seeking to expose weakness rather than to promote faith. Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 4:7 and Luke 4:12 record the same response from Jesus during the wilderness temptation: “It is also written: ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.’ ” Luke 10:25 portrays a lawyer “testing” Jesus by posing a theological question. 1 Corinthians 10:9 extends the warning to the church: “We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.” Old Testament Background Jesus’ quotation in the Synoptic Gospels comes from Deuteronomy 6:16, where Israel is warned not to “test” the LORD at Massah. There, doubting God’s faithfulness provoked divine judgment. The Greek verb in the Septuagint links New Testament usage to Israel’s wilderness unbelief, underscoring continuity between covenants. Christological Emphasis In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, Satan demands sensational proof of divine sonship. Jesus refuses, demonstrating perfect trust in the Father and modeling obedience for disciples. Paul applies the same principle to the Corinthian congregation: testing Christ by presumptuous behavior mirrors Israel’s rebellion and invites judgment. Exegetical Insights 1. The object of testing is consistently divine—either God the Father (Matthew 4, Luke 4) or Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 10). Historical and Ministry Significance Early Christian teachers saw in this verb a sober caution against demanding proofs from God. Apostolic preaching warned churches not to repeat Israel’s errors: grumbling, idolatry, and presumption. The patristic writers echoed Paul, urging believers to embrace humility and reliance rather than skepticism. Pastoral Application • Guard against attitudes that demand God satisfy personal criteria before obedience. Relationship to Faith and Obedience Testing God springs from unbelief; trusting God flows from faith. Hebrews 3–4 interprets Israel’s failure as a warning and invitation: the same God offers rest, yet requires trusting submission. Strong’s 1598 therefore functions as a diagnostic term: whenever believers insist on signs, outcomes, or timelines before obeying, they verge on ekpeirazō. Contemporary Relevance Modern culture often demands empirical or experiential proof of God’s goodness. Scripture counters that the cross and resurrection already constitute definitive evidence. Ministry that equips saints to rest on revelation, rather than demand new proofs, aligns with the New Testament’s use of 1598. Summary Strong’s Greek 1598 spotlights the peril of presumptuously challenging God’s character or purposes. From the wilderness of Sinai to the temptations of Jesus and the admonitions of Paul, Scripture consistently forbids testing the Lord. Faith listens, obeys, and trusts; testing provokes, doubts, and rebels. Forms and Transliterations εκπειραζωμεν εκπειράζωμεν ἐκπειράζωμεν εκπειραζων εκπειράζων ἐκπειράζων εκπειρασεις εκπειράσεις ἐκπειράσεις εκπειράση εξεπείρασαν εξεπειράσατε ekpeiraseis ekpeiráseis ekpeirazomen ekpeirazōmen ekpeirázomen ekpeirázōmen ekpeirazon ekpeirazōn ekpeirázon ekpeirázōnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:7 V-FIA-2SGRK: γέγραπται Οὐκ ἐκπειράσεις Κύριον τὸν NAS: it is written, YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD KJV: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy INT: it has been written not You will test [the] Lord the Luke 4:12 V-FIA-2S Luke 10:25 V-PPA-NMS 1 Corinthians 10:9 V-PSA-1P Strong's Greek 1598 |
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