Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of examination, both self-examination and the examination of others, is a recurring theme in the Bible. It involves careful scrutiny and discernment, often with the aim of aligning oneself with God's will and truth. The act of examining is portrayed as a necessary practice for spiritual growth, moral integrity, and communal harmony.
Self-ExaminationSelf-examination is a critical aspect of the Christian life, encouraging believers to reflect on their own hearts and actions. In
2 Corinthians 13:5, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthian church, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" . This verse underscores the importance of introspection to ensure one's faith is genuine and active.
The Psalms also highlight the need for self-examination.
Psalm 139:23-24 is a prayer for divine assistance in this process: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting" . Here, the psalmist invites God to examine his innermost thoughts and guide him toward righteousness.
Examination of OthersWhile self-examination is emphasized, the Bible also addresses the examination of others, particularly within the context of church leadership and community. In
1 Timothy 3:10, Paul advises that deacons "must also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach" . This testing ensures that those in positions of authority are qualified and morally upright.
The examination of teachings and spirits is another important aspect. In 1
John 4:1, believers are instructed, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" . This discernment is crucial for maintaining doctrinal purity and protecting the church from false teachings.
Examination in JudgmentThe Bible also speaks of examination in the context of divine judgment. In
Ecclesiastes 12:14, it is written, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil" . This ultimate examination by God serves as a reminder of His omniscience and the accountability all individuals have before Him.
Practical ApplicationThe practice of examination, whether of oneself or others, is intended to foster a life that is pleasing to God. It involves a commitment to truth, integrity, and holiness. Believers are encouraged to engage in regular self-reflection, seek God's guidance in revealing hidden sins, and uphold the standards of Scripture in evaluating teachings and leadership within the church. Through examination, Christians are better equipped to grow in their faith and contribute to the health and unity of the body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To test by any appropriate method; to inspect carefully with a view to discover the real character or state of; to subject to inquiry or inspection of particulars for the purpose of obtaining a fuller insight into the subject of examination, as a material substance, a fact, a reason, a cause, the truth of a statement; to inquire or search into; to explore; as, to examine a mineral; to examine a ship to know whether she is seaworthy; to examine a proposition, theory, or question.
2. (v. t.) To interrogate as in a judicial proceeding; to try or test by question; as, to examine a witness in order to elicit testimony, a student to test his qualifications, a bankrupt touching the state of his property, etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EXAMINE; EXAMINATIONeg-zam'-in, eg-zam-i-na'-shun:
darash, "to follow," "inquire," "make inquisition" (Ezra 10:16); and bachan, "to test," "investigate," "prove," "tempt" (Psalm 26:2). The former was the judicial term. anakrino, "scrutinize," "investigate," "interrogate" (in court), "judge," "search" (Luke 23:14Acts 4:9;Acts 12:19;Acts 28:181 Corinthians 9:3); and anetazo, "to investigate" (judicially), "examine" (Acts 22:24, 29). Also dokimazo, "to test," "examine," "try" (1 Corinthians 11:28 the King James Version); and peirazo, "scrutinize," "discipline" (2 Corinthians 13:5 the King James Version). The noun anakrisis, "examination," "investigation," occurs inActs 25:26.
See alsoCOURTS, JUDICIAL.
Frank E. Hirsch
Greek
1833. exetazo -- toexamine closely... to
examine closely. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exetazo Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-et-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I
examine, question, search out Definition
...350. anakrino -- toexamine, investigate
... toexamine, investigate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anakrino Phonetic
Spelling: (an-ak-ree'-no) Short Definition: Iexamine, inquire into Definition...
426. anetazo -- toexamine judicially
... toexamine judicially. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anetazo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-et-ad'-zo) Short Definition: Iexamine judicially Definition: I...
2038a. eraunao -- to search,examine.
... eraunao. 2038b . to search,examine. Transliteration: eraunao Short Definition:
examine. Word Origin from ereunao Definition to search,examine. 2038, 2038a...
1281. diapragmateuomai -- toexamine thoroughly, to gain by...
... toexamine thoroughly, to gain by trading. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
diapragmateuomai Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ap-rag-mat-yoo'-om-ahee) Short...
4802. suzeteo -- toexamine together, hence to dispute
... toexamine together, hence to dispute. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: suzeteo
Phonetic Spelling: (sood-zay-teh'-o) Short Definition: I seek together...
4065. periphroneo -- toexamine on all sides, to despise
... toexamine on all sides, to despise. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: periphroneo
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-fron-eh'-o) Short Definition: I look down upon...
2038. ergazomai -- to search,examine.
... 2037, 2038. ergazomai. 2038a . to search,examine. Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ergazomai Phonetic Spelling: (er-gad'-zom...
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:...
1830. exeraunao -- to search out
... out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exeraunao Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-er-yoo-nah'-o) Short Definition: I search diligently,examine carefully Definition...
Strong's Hebrew
974. bachan -- toexamine, try... 973b, 974. bachan. 975 . to
examine, try. Transliteration: bachan Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-khan') Short Definition: test.
...examine, prove, tempt, try trial.
...7663a. sabar -- to inspect,examine
... to inspect,examine. Transliteration: sabar Short Definition: inspected.... root Definition
to inspect,examine NASB Word Usage inspected (1), inspecting (1)....
7663. sabar -- to inspect,examine
... 7662, 7663. sabar. 7663a . to inspect,examine. Transliteration: sabar Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-bar') Short Definition: hope. hope, tarry, view, wait...
5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... to regard, recognize NASB Word Usage able (1), acknowledge (3), acknowledges (1),
discern (1), distinguish (1), distinguishes (1),examine (1),examine and see...
2664. chaphas -- to search
... root Definition to search NASB Word Usage devise (1), disguise (2), disguised (5),
distorted (1),examine (1), hide (1), ponders (1), ransacked (1), search (6...
2713. chaqar -- to search
... A primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, toexamine intimately -- find out,
(make) search (out), seek (out), sound, try. 2712, 2713. chaqar. 2714 ....
6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint
... 3), charge (1), commit (1), committed (3), concerned (1), counted (1), damage (1),
deposited (3), deprived (1), empty (3), entrusted (1),examine (1), foremen...
1305. barar -- to purify, select
... A primitive root; to clarify (ie Brighten),examine, select -- make bright, choice,
chosen, cleanse (be clean), clearly, polished, (shew self) pure(-ify...
952. bur -- to make clear, clear up, explain
... Usage explain (1). declare. A primitive root; to bore, ie (figuratively)examine --
declare. 951, 952. bur. 953 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
This is not the Place toExamine all Our Traducers...
... Book I. 27 This is not the place toexamine all our traducers?... If youexamine carefully,
you will find that nothing else is implied in that religion....
It Remains for us toExamine the "Spectacle" Most Noted of All...
... It remains for us toexamine the "spectacle" most noted of all? It remains for us
toexamine the "spectacle" most noted of all, and in highest favour....
Let usExamine, Then, what is Said in this Way. ...
... Book V. 37 Let usexamine, then, what is said in this way.? Let usexamine,
then, what is said in this way. In the grove of Henna...
We have Next toExamine the Argument which we Hear Continually...
... Book VII. 5 We have next toexamine the argument which we hear continually
coming from the lips? We have next toexamine the argument...
Examine Yourself Whether Ye be in the Faith; Prove Your Own Selves...
...Examine yourself whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 2 Corinthians
13:5. In speaking from this text I design to pursue the following order:...
Let us ThereforeExamine Carefully the Real Significance of that...
... Book I. 2 Let us thereforeexamine carefully the real significance of
that opinion? Let us thereforeexamine carefully the real...
Superiors Ought Carefully toExamine the Dispositions of those...
... SOLITUDE AND A RELIGIOUS PROFESSION. CHAPTER VIII. Superiors ought carefully to
examine the dispositions of those that they admit to religion.? Sec....
Examine Then, and See if He be not the Dispenser of Kingdoms...
... Chapter XXVI.Examine then, and see if He be not the dispenser of kingdoms?
Examine then, and see if He be not the dispenser of...
Let us NowExamine the Conditions under which a Revelation May be...
... Section 2. Let us nowexamine the conditions under which a revelation
may be expected to? 2. Let us nowexamine the conditions...
Hold Fast in the Meantime this Persuasion, While IExamine a...
... Chapter VIII. Hold fast in the meantime this persuasion, while Iexamine
a question which comes in? Hold fast in the meantime...
Thesaurus
Examine (48 Occurrences)... of examination, as a material substance, a fact, a reason, a cause, the truth of
a statement; to inquire or search into; to explore; as, to
examine a mineral
...Examination (10 Occurrences)
...EXAMINE; EXAMINATION.... Leviticus 13:8 The priest shallexamine him; and behold, if
the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean....
Infectious (19 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:3 and the priest shallexamine the plague in the skin of the body:
and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the...
Infection (24 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:3 and the priest shallexamine the plague in the skin of the body:
and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the...
Deeper (18 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Leviticus 13:3 and the priest shallexamine the plague in the skin of the
body: and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the...
Pronounce (47 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:3 and the priest shallexamine the plague in the skin of the body:
and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the...
Mildew (26 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:50 The priest shallexamine the plague, and isolate the plague seven
days.... Leviticus 13:51 He shallexamine the plague on the seventh day....
Examined (16 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofExamine.... 1 Corinthians 4:3 But for me it is the very smallest matter
that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I evenexamine myself....
Search (186 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To look over or through, for the purpose of finding
something; toexamine; to explore; as, to search the city....
Itch (11 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:30 then the priest shallexamine the plague; and behold, if its appearance
is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then...
Resources
What does it mean to examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-examination? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does “test yourselves” mean in 2 Corinthians 13:5? | GotQuestions.orgExamine: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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