In the context of the Bible, the concept of "approve" involves discerning, testing, and affirming what is good, right, and pleasing to God. The term is often associated with moral and spiritual discernment, as well as the affirmation of God's will and commandments.

Old Testament Context

The Hebrew Scriptures emphasize the importance of discerning and approving what aligns with God's laws and commandments. In the wisdom literature, particularly in the book of Proverbs, the idea of approval is linked to understanding and wisdom. For example, Proverbs 12:2 states, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil." Here, obtaining favor can be seen as God's approval of a person's righteous actions.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word often translated as "approve" is "dokimazō," which means to test, examine, or prove. This concept is frequently mentioned in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This verse highlights the transformative process of discerning and approving God's will through a renewed mind.

Philippians 1:9-10 further illustrates this idea: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." Here, the ability to approve what is best is linked to spiritual growth and maturity.

Moral and Ethical Approval

The Bible also addresses the approval of moral and ethical behavior. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul writes, "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts." This passage underscores the importance of seeking God's approval rather than human approval, especially in the context of ministry and the proclamation of the gospel.

Approval in the Community of Believers

Approval is also significant within the community of believers. In Romans 14:18, Paul states, "For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." This verse suggests that living in a manner that serves Christ not only gains God's approval but also earns the respect and approval of fellow believers.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of approval is deeply rooted in the discernment of God's will, the pursuit of righteousness, and the affirmation of actions that align with divine principles. It involves a commitment to spiritual growth, moral integrity, and the desire to please God above all else.1. (v. t.) To show to be real or true; to prove.

2. (v. t.) To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.

3. (v. t.) To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.

4. (v. t.) To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.

5. (v. t.) To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.

6. (v. t.) To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; -- said esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.

APPROVE

a-proov': This word, as ordinarily used, means "to entertain a favorable opinion concerning" (Psalm 49:13 Lamentations 3:36). Its Biblical and archaic use conveys a much stronger meaning and is equivalent to its use in legal formalities of today, "to approve a bill," i.e. by some act, generally a signature, to express approval. In New Testament, a number of times, for Greek dokimazo, "to test, try, make proof of," and its derivative, dokimos, "tested," "tried." The word will, in almost every ease, imply that the proof is victoriously demonstrated, the proved is also approved, just as in English we speak of "tried men" (Trench, Greek Synonyms of New Testament). It is the word most frequently used for the testing of ores. That which does not stand the test is adokimos, "reprobate." Compare Jeremiah 6:30 King James Version: "reprobate silver." That which stands the test is dokimos, "approved." "Salute Apelles the approved in Christ" (Romans 16:10); "they that are approved" (1 Corinthians 11:19); "Present thyself approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15); when he hath been "approved" (James 1:12). See also Romans 14:18, 22 1 Thessalonians 2:4.

H. E. Jacobs

1381. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... to approve. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dokimazo Phonetic Spelling:
(dok-im-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I put to the test, prove, examine Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381.htm - 8k

1381a. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... dokimazo. 1381b . to test, by impl. to approve. Transliteration: dokimazo Short
Definition: examine. Word Origin from dokimos Definition to test, by impl. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381a.htm - 5k

1735. endechomai -- to admit, approve, to be possible
... to admit, approve, to be possible. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: endechomai
Phonetic Spelling: (en-dekh'-et-ahee) Short Definition: I allow, it is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1735.htm - 6k

4921. sunistemi and sunistano -- to commend, establish, stand near ...
... formed (1), hold together (1), prove (1), standing (1). approve, commend.
Or (strengthened) sunistano (soon-is-tan'-o), or sunistemi ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4921.htm - 8k

4909. suneudokeo -- to join in approving
... Word Origin from sun and eudokeo Definition to join in approving NASB Word Usage
approve (1), approving (1), consents (2), give hearty approval (1), hearty ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4909.htm - 7k

588. apodechomai -- to accept gladly, welcome
... accept, receive gladly. From apo and dechomai; to take fully, ie Welcome (persons),
approve (things) -- accept, receive (gladly). see GREEK apo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/588.htm - 7k

584. apodeiknumi -- to bring out, show forth, declare
... approve, set forth, show. From apo and deiknuo; to show off, ie Exhibit; figuratively,
to demonstrate, ie Accredit -- (ap-)prove, set forth, shew. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/584.htm - 7k

2106. eudokeo -- to think well of, ie to be well-pleased
... From eu and dokeo; to think well of, ie Approve (an act); specially, to approbate
(a person or thing) -- think good, (be well) please(-d), be the good (have ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2106.htm - 8k

1347. dikaiosis -- the act of pronouncing righteous, acquittal
... Cognate: 1347 (a feminine noun derived from 1344 , "to approve, justify") --
justification (divine approval), emphasizing Christ's full payment of the debt for ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1347.htm - 8k

2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... We only (2919 ) accurately by based on God's word, ie to approve (prefer)
what is correct and reject what is inferior (wrong). [2919 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2919.htm - 11k

7521. ratsah -- to be pleased with, accept favorably
... root Definition to be pleased with, accept favorably NASB Word Usage accept (11),
accepted (6), approve (1), approved (1), delight (4), delights (2), enjoy (2 ...
/hebrew/7521.htm - 6k

7200. raah -- to see
... root Definition to see NASB Word Usage access (1), advisers* (2), appear (21), appeared
(43), appears (4), approve (2), became aware (1), became visible (1 ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

Of those who do not Approve of Certain Things which are a Part of ...
... Chapter 22."Of Those Who Do Not Approve of Certain Things Which are a Part of This
Good Creation of a Good Creator, and Who Think that There is Some Natural ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of those who do.htm

Iambus of Germaniciana Said: "Those who Approve the Baptism of ...
... Book VII. Chapter 6. " 10. Iambus of Germaniciana said: "Those who approve
the baptism of heretics disapprove ours? "10. Iambus ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 6 10 iambus.htm

The Most Ancient and Most Respectable of the Christian Fathers ...
... SECOND PART II. THE MOST ANCIENT AND MOST RESPECTABLE OF THE CHRISTIAN FATHERS
APPROVE OF THE INTERPRETATION WHICH WE GIVE TO THIS CHAPTER. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/ii the most ancient and.htm

Love and Discernment.
... IX. LOVE AND DISCERNMENT. "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and
more in knowledge and all judgment: that ye may approve things that are ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/ix love and discernment.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... 5. Moral agents constitutionally approve of what i3 right and disapprove
of what is wrong. Of course, both saints and sinners may ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxix evidences of regeneration.htm

Bardesan.
... therefore, my son, thou hast any opinion of thy own [3361] respecting this matter
about which thou hast asked, tell it to us all; and, if we too approve of it ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents bardesan.htm

The Second Charge, of Corresponding with Magnentius.
... 1307] (his name I am unwilling to pronounce), I beseech you investigate and try
the matter, in whatever way you please, and by whomsoever you may approve of. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/6 the second charge of.htm

It was Therefore Better for Me to Hide Myself, and to Wait for ...
... opportunity. Yes, I am sure that from your knowledge of the sacred Scriptures
you will assent and approve of my conduct in this respect. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/35 it was therefore better.htm

In Christ and in Ephesus
... One way is to approve of their evil works. ... Never allow yourself to approve
of another's sins. You can not keep clean and do it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty-four in christ and.htm

Upon Human Nature.
... Thirdly, there is a principle of reflection in men, by which they distinguish
between, approve and disapprove their own actions. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon i upon human nature.htm

Approve (14 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision
of a court-martial. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APPROVE. ...
/a/approve.htm - 12k

Allow (86 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.
2. (vt) To like; to be suited or pleased with. 3 ...
/a/allow.htm - 33k

Excellent (52 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 2:18 and know his will, and approve the things
that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/e/excellent.htm - 24k

Allowance (11 Occurrences)
... a-lou', a-lou'-ans: The verb "to allow" is used in the King James Version to translate
four different Greek words: (1) suneudokeo, "to approve together" (with ...
/a/allowance.htm - 12k

Approved (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Approve. Multi-Version Concordance Approved
(18 Occurrences). Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words! ...
/a/approved.htm - 12k

Like (10728 Occurrences)
... 10. (v.) To suit; to please; to be agreeable to. 11. (v.) To be pleased with in
a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy. 12. ...
/l/like.htm - 14k

Approval (75 Occurrences)
... our husbands? (See RSV). Hosea 8:4 They have set up kings, but not by me.
They have made princes, and I didn't approve. Of their ...
/a/approval.htm - 28k

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... (WBS NIV). Philippians 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent;
that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; (WEB WBS). ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Ordinance (89 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who ...
/o/ordinance.htm - 40k

Lawsuit (4 Occurrences)
... Yahweh your God shall choose; (See NAS NIV). Lamentations 3:36 To subvert
a man in his cause, the Lord doesn't approve. (See NAS). ...
/l/lawsuit.htm - 7k

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