Lexical Summary peirasmos: Temptation, trial, testing Original Word: πειρασμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance temptationFrom peirazo; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity -- temptation, X try. see GREEK peirazo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3986 peirasmós (from 3985 /peirázō) – temptation or test – both senses can apply simultaneously (depending on the context). The positive sense ("test") and negative sense ("temptation") are functions of the context (not merely the words themselves). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peirazó Definition an experiment, a trial, temptation NASB Translation temptation (12), testing (2), trial (3), trials (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3986: πειρασμόςπειρασμός, πειρασμοῦ, ὁ (πειράζω, which see), the Sept. for מַסָּה, an experiment, attempt, trial, proving; (Vulg.tentatio); a. universally, trial, proving: Sir. 27:5, 7; τόν πειρασμόν ὑμῶν ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου, the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since this condition served to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul, Galatians 4:14 L T Tr WH (cf. b. below, and Lightfoot at the passage). b. specifically, the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc.: 1 Peter 4:12; also an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from outward circumstances, Luke 8:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; ὑπομένειν πειρασμόν, James 1:12; an internal temptation to sin, 1 Timothy 6:9; of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand, Luke 4:13; of a condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from faith and holiness: in the phrases εἰσφέρειν τινα εἰς πειρασμόν, Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4; ἐισέρχεσθαι εἰς πειρασμόν, Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 (here T WH ἔλθητε); Luke 22:40, 46; adversity, affliction, trouble (cf. our trial), sent by God and serving to test or prove one's faith, holiness, character: plural, Luke 22:28; Acts 20:19; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6; τόν πειρασμόν μου τόν ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου, my temptation arising from my bodily infirmity, Galatians 4:14 Rec. (but see a. above); ὥρα τοῦ πειρασμοῦ, Revelation 3:10; ἐκ πειρασμοῦ ῤύεσθαι, 2 Peter 2:9 (Deuteronomy 7:19; Deuteronomy 29:3; Sir. 2:1 Sir. 6:7 Sir. 36:1 (Sir. 33:1); 1 Macc. 2:52). c. 'temptation' (i. e. trial) of God by men, i. e. rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as It were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves: Hebrews 3:8 (Deuteronomy 6:16; Deuteronomy 9:22; Psalm 94:8 The noun occurs twenty-one times across thirteen New-Testament books. Context determines whether it points to an enticement to sin, a providential proving of faith, or both simultaneously. In every occurrence God remains sovereign, never the author of evil (James 1:13), yet fully able to employ testing for the believer’s good and His own glory. Peirasmos in the Life of Jesus Christ The public ministry of Jesus opens with forty days in the wilderness, where “when the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). Christ endures the full assault of Satan without yielding, establishing Him as the sinless High Priest “able to sympathize with our weaknesses” (see Hebrews 4:15). On the eve of the cross He exhorts the disciples, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40, 46), linking vigilance in prayer with victory over trial. His own agony in Gethsemane reveals that submission to the Father’s will is the decisive weapon against the severest testing. Peirasmos and the Believer’s Sanctification James commands, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3). The same letter promises the “crown of life” to those “who endure temptation” (James 1:12). Peter echoes this refining purpose: “Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Thus peirasmos functions as a forge; the heat is real, yet the divine objective is purity, not destruction. Corporate Testing of the People of God Paul applies the wilderness narrative to the Corinthian church: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The entire congregation is called to remember Israel’s failures and to rely on God’s faithfulness, reinforcing that trials are never isolated events but covenantal moments with communal implications. The Lord’s Prayer and Daily Life “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13; cf. Luke 11:4). The petition assumes that daily life is contested space. It is both a plea for protection from situations that would overwhelm and a request for rescue when such situations arise. Believers pray it in humility, acknowledging their weakness, and in confidence, trusting their Father’s preserving power. Pastoral Counsel and Practical Discipleship 1 Timothy 6:9 warns that “those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare,” identifying covetousness as a breeding ground for destructive testing. Shepherds therefore confront materialism, cultivate contentment, and model generosity. Galatians 4:14—where Paul recalls that the churches did not “despise or reject” him despite a “trial” in his flesh—shows that peirasmos can also be bodily affliction. Congregations are urged to respond with mercy rather than scorn, recognizing that infirmity itself may serve as a proving ground for mutual love. Eschatological Testing and Divine Preservation “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). Final history includes a global peirasmos, yet the risen Christ guarantees protection for His faithful. Peter similarly assures that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial” (2 Peter 2:9). The eschatological dimension underscores that present endurance is preparation for future deliverance. Historical Reception in the Church Early fathers viewed peirasmos as the battlefield where faith and flesh collide, citing the Lord’s Prayer daily. Reformers highlighted 1 Corinthians 10:13 to defend both divine sovereignty and human responsibility: God ordains the limits; believers must seek the provided escape. Puritans wrote pastoral manuals on discerning whether a hardship is primarily a test to strengthen or a temptation to destroy, though often conceding it can be both. Summary Peirasmos threads through Scripture as the arena in which God’s people are proved, purified, and preserved. Whether confronting satanic assault, internal desire, cultural pressure, or impending eschatological upheaval, believers stand secure in the faithfulness of God, who ordains the trial, limits its force, supplies the escape, and crowns the victor. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:13 N-AMSGRK: ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι NAS: And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver KJV: not into temptation, but deliver INT: us into temptation but deliver Matthew 26:41 N-AMS Mark 14:38 N-AMS Luke 4:13 N-AMS Luke 8:13 N-GMS Luke 11:4 N-AMS Luke 22:28 N-DMP Luke 22:40 N-AMS Luke 22:46 N-AMS Acts 20:19 N-GMP 1 Corinthians 10:13 N-NMS 1 Corinthians 10:13 N-DMS Galatians 4:14 N-AMS 1 Timothy 6:9 N-AMS Hebrews 3:8 N-GMS James 1:2 N-DMP James 1:12 N-AMS 1 Peter 1:6 N-DMP 1 Peter 4:12 N-AMS 2 Peter 2:9 N-GMS Revelation 3:10 N-GMS Strong's Greek 3986 |
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