Lexical Summary peirazó: To test, to tempt, to try, to examine Original Word: πειράζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tempt, examine, tryFrom peira; to test (objectively), i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try. see GREEK peira HELPS Word-studies 3985 peirázō (from 3984 /peíra, "test, trial") – "originally to test, to try which was its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in the LXX" (WP, 1, 30). "The word means either test or tempt" (WP, 1, 348). Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously. 3985 (peirazō) means "tempt" ("negative sense") in: Mt 16:1, 19:3, 22:18,35; Mk 8:11, 10:2, 12:15; Lk 11:16, 20:33; Jn 8:6; Js 1:13,14. 3985 (peirazō) however is used of positive tests in: Mt 4:11; Lk 22:28; 1 Cor 10:13; Js 1:12. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peira Definition to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt NASB Translation did (1), put (1), put to the test (2), tempt (2), tempted (13), tempter (2), test (6), tested (2), testing (7), tried (2), trying (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3985: πειράζωπειράζω (a form found several times in Homer and Apoll. Rhod. and later prose, for πειράω (which see in Veitch) more common in the other Greek writings); imperfect ἐπείραζον; 1 aorist ἐπείρασα; passive, present πειράζομαι; 1 aorist ἐπειρασθην; perfect participle πεπειρασμενος (Hebrews 4:15; see πειράω, 1); 1 aorist middle 2 person singular ἐπειράσω (Revelation 2:2 Rec.); the Sept. for נִסָּה; to try, i. e.: 1. to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor: with an infinitive, Acts 9:26 L T Tr WH; 2. to try, make trial of, test: τινα, for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself; a. in a good sense: Matthew 22:35 (others refer this to b.); John 6:6; (2 Corinthians 13:5); Revelation 2:2. b. in a bad sense: to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgment, Matthew 16:1; Matthew 19:3; Matthew 22:18, 35; Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2; Mark 12:15; Luke 11:16; Luke 20:23 (where G T WH Tr text omit; Tr marginal reading brackets the words τί με πειράζετε); John 8:6. c. to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin; hence, according to the context equivalent to to solicit to sin, to tempt: James 1:13; Galatians 6:1; Revelation 2:10; of the temptations of the devil, Matthew 4:1, 3; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; hence, ὁ πειράζων, a substantive, Vulg.tentator, etc., the tempter: Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. d. After the O. T. usage α. of God; to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15 (see πειράω); Strong’s Greek 3985 (peirazō) describes the act of putting someone or something to the proof. In the New Testament it ranges from hostile enticement to sin (Matthew 4:3), to neutral examination of character (2 Corinthians 13:5), to divinely ordained refinement of faith (Hebrews 11:17). The context always clarifies whether the testing seeks to destroy or to develop. Old Testament Background In the Septuagint, peirazō frequently renders Hebrew roots such as bachan (“examine”) and nasah (“test”), laying the groundwork for its New Testament usage. Israel “tested” the LORD through unbelief at Massah (Exodus 17:2), while God “tested” Abraham to prove his faith (Genesis 22:1). Thus Scripture already distinguished rebellious testing of God from God’s righteous testing of His people. Usage in the Gospels 1. The wilderness: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). The devil’s assaults expose the Second Adam’s flawless obedience, reversing Adam’s fall. Teaching of Paul Paul employs peirazō both negatively and positively: • Warning: “Nor should we test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes” (1 Corinthians 10:9). To demand proofs from God replicates Israel’s sin. Hebrews: The Tested Son and the Tested Saints Hebrews anchors the church’s perseverance in Christ’s shared experience: • “Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). James: Anatomy of Temptation James clarifies that God is never the author of evil enticement: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one” (James 1:13). Desire, not divinity, generates sinful lure. Yet trials (“various trials,” James 1:2) are divinely purposed to mature perseverance. Eschatological Dimensions Revelation applies peirazō to both present discernment and future global ordeal: • Christ commends the Ephesian church: “You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not” (Revelation 2:2). Divine Testing versus Satanic Temptation Peirazō may describe either God’s righteous proving or Satan’s destructive solicitation. Distinction rests on motive and outcome: • God’s tests aim at refinement, trust, and reward. Believers discern the difference by measuring every pressure against God’s revealed will. Pastoral and Ministry Significance 1. Shepherding under trial: Leaders must remind saints that temptation is neither unique nor unconquerable. Summary Peirazō threads through Scripture as a sober reminder that every heart will be tried. Yet in every test God proves faithful, Christ proves sufficient, and obedient faith proves victorious. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:1 V-ANPGRK: τοῦ πνεύματος πειρασθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ NAS: into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. KJV: the wilderness to be tempted of INT: the Spirit to be tempted by the Matthew 4:3 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 16:1 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 19:3 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 22:18 V-PIA-2P Matthew 22:35 V-PPA-NMS Mark 1:13 V-PPM/P-NMS Mark 8:11 V-PPA-NMP Mark 10:2 V-PPA-NMP Mark 12:15 V-PIA-2P Luke 4:2 V-PPM/P-NMS Luke 11:16 V-PPA-NMP John 6:6 V-PPA-NMS John 8:6 V-PPA-NMP Acts 5:9 V-ANA Acts 9:26 V-IIA-3S Acts 15:10 V-PIA-2P Acts 16:7 V-IIA-3P Acts 24:6 V-IIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:5 V-PSA-3S 1 Corinthians 10:9 V-AIA-3P 1 Corinthians 10:13 V-ANP 2 Corinthians 13:5 V-PMA-2P Galatians 6:1 V-ASP-2S 1 Thessalonians 3:5 V-IIA-3S Strong's Greek 3985 |
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