Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:In the biblical context, "testing" refers to the trials and challenges that God allows or orchestrates in the lives of individuals to prove, refine, and strengthen their faith and character. Testing is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, serving as a means for God to reveal the hearts of His people and to prepare them for greater purposes.
Old Testament Instances:Testing is evident from the early narratives of the Bible. One of the most notable examples is the testing of Abraham. In
Genesis 22:1-2 , God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac: "Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.'" This test was designed to assess Abraham's obedience and faith.
The Israelites also experienced testing during their journey in the wilderness. In
Deuteronomy 8:2 , Moses reminds them, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." The wilderness period was a time of testing to teach reliance on God and adherence to His commandments.
New Testament Insights:In the New Testament, testing continues to play a significant role in the life of believers. Jesus Himself was tested in the wilderness by Satan, as recorded in
Matthew 4:1-11. This period of testing affirmed Jesus' identity and mission, demonstrating His reliance on Scripture and His obedience to the Father.
The Apostle James speaks to the purpose and benefit of testing in the life of a believer.
James 1:2-4 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Testing is portrayed as a process that leads to spiritual maturity and completeness.
Theological Significance:Testing is not merely a demonstration of God's authority but is deeply rooted in His love and desire for His people to grow in faith and holiness. It is a tool used by God to refine believers, much like a refiner's fire purifies gold. In
1 Peter 1:6-7 , the apostle Peter writes, "In this you greatly rejoice, though 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, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to view testing as an opportunity for growth and to trust in God's sovereign plan.
Romans 5:3-4 reminds Christians that "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Through testing, believers are drawn closer to God, learning to depend on His strength and wisdom.
Conclusion:While testing can be challenging, it is an integral part of the Christian journey, designed to deepen faith and cultivate a closer relationship with God. Through testing, believers are equipped to fulfill their God-given purposes and to reflect His glory in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Test.
2. (n.) The act of testing or proving; trial; proof.
3. (n.) The operation of refining gold or silver in a test, or cupel; cupellation.
Greek
1383. dokimion -- atesting... a
testing. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: dokimion Phonetic Spelling:
(dok-im'-ee-on) Short Definition: a test, trial, what is genuine Definition
...1381b. dokimasia -- atesting, a proving
... 1381a, 1381b. dokimasia. 1382 . atesting, a proving. Transliteration:
dokimasia Short Definition:testing. Word Origin from dokimazo...
931. basanos -- a touchstone (a dark stone used intesting metals)...
... 930, 931. basanos. 932 . a touchstone (a dark stone used intesting metals),
hence examination by torture, torture. Part of Speech...
1381. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... dok-im-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I put to the test, prove, examine Definition: I
put to the test, prove, examine; I distinguish bytesting, approve after...
3986. peirasmos -- an experiment, a trial, temptation
... temptation. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: peirasmos Phonetic
Spelling: (pi-ras-mos') Short Definition: trial,testing, temptation Definition...
593. apodokimazo -- to reject
... to reject. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apodokimazo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-od-ok-ee-mad'-zo) Short Definition: I reject aftertesting, I disqualify...
1382. dokime -- (the process or result of) trial, proving...
... Cognate: 1382 (a feminine noun derived from 1384 ) -- proof of genuineness ("approval,
throughtesting"), a brand of what is "tested and true." See 1381 ()....
1384. dokimos -- tested, approved
... 1383 (). 1384 () was used for the proving (testing) of coins, ie confirming
they were (not counterfeit, corrupted).]. Word Origin...
1598. ekpeirazo -- to test thoroughly, tempt
... 1598 (from 1537 , " and " and 3985 , "tempt") -- properly, test , ie with the of
testing to an (unwarranted) degree; "hyper-test," going to improper measures...
3985. peirazo -- to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt
... to attempt, test, tempt NASB Word Usage did (1), put (1), put to the test (2), tempt
(2), tempted (13), tempter (2), test (6), tested (2),testing (7), tried (2...
Strong's Hebrew
976. bochan -- atesting... 975, 976. bochan. 977 . a
testing. Transliteration: bochan Phonetic Spelling:
(bo'-khan) Short Definition: tested. Word Origin from
...5254. nasah -- to test, try
... root Definition to test, try NASB Word Usage make a test (1), proved (1), put (1),
put to the test (2), tempted (3), test (13), tested (9),testing (3), tried...
4531. maccah -- despair
... temptation, trial From nacah; atesting, of men (judicial) or of God (querulous) --
temptation, trial. see HEBREW nacah. 4530, 4531. maccah. 4531a ....
Library
TheTesting
... JUDGEMENT. L. THETESTING. . Daw dydd o brysur bwyso. 6,6,7,6,6,6,7,6. A day for
solemn trial. Of men is drawing near,. Who has the hidden substance,....
The True Gold and ItsTesting
... THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER THE TRUE GOLD AND ITSTESTING. 'That the trial...
later. II. Note, again, thetesting of the wealth. I need...
TheTesting of Joseph's Brothers
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THETESTING OF JOSEPH'S BROTHERS. When Jacob learned that
there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons...
The Foundation of God
... stone. There are two kinds oftesting"thetesting from the assaults of enemies,
and thetesting by the building upon it of friends....
For the Candid and Thoughtful
... Put the mildest sense you like on the word "tempt" and it will retain the idea of
an unfriendlytesting; yet nothing could be more hearty in the end than the...
Approbation and Blessing.
... TheTesting Present is another part of the reason for this prayer. The Church
of Thessalonica was suffering persecutions and afflictions...
God's Promises Tests
... The word which it employs to designate the manner oftesting or trying, is one drawn
from the smelting operations of the goldsmith, by which, heat being applied...
D. The Temptation of Jesus. Ch. 4:1-13
... world. This was a fitting climax to thetesting of the King. Luke... trust.
It forms a true climax in thetesting of the ideal Man. The...
God's Fellow-Workers
... THETESTING FIRE.... There are three things here that I wish to say a word about"the
patchwork building, thetesting fire, the fate of the builders....
The Character of Christ's People
... Let me tell you, there are always certaintesting moments when you can tell of what
kind of stuff a man is made. Two men are walking.... They aretesting moments....
Thesaurus
Testing (46 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Test. 2. (n.) The act of
testing or proving; trial; proof.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Testing (46 Occurrences).
...Proof (38 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any effort, process, or operation designed to
establish or discover a fact or truth; an act oftesting; a test; a trial....
Test (105 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, andtesting him, asked him
to show them a sign from heaven. (Root in WEB BBE NAS RSV NIV)....
Tested (80 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 16:1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came and,testing him, made
a request to him to give them a sign from heaven. (See NIV)....
Trial (45 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of trying ortesting in any manner....
3. (n.) The act oftesting by experience; proof; test....
Cleaning (8 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 13:9 And I will make the third part go through the fire, cleaning them
as silver is made clean, andtesting them as gold is tested: and they will...
Asking (111 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:3 Pharisees came to him,testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful
for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" (See NAS RSV)....
Lawful (38 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:3 Pharisees came to him,testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a
man to divorce his wife for any reason?" (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Sign (181 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees
came, andtesting him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven....
Question (153 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:35 One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question,testing him.... John 8:6
They said thistesting him, that they might have something to accuse him of....
Resources
What does the Bible have to say that would apply to animal testing? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God test us? | GotQuestions.orgIs carbon dating a reliable method for determining the age of things? | GotQuestions.orgTesting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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