Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "tempt" in the Bible generally refers to the act of testing or trying someone, often with the implication of enticing them to do wrong. It can involve both external and internal challenges to one's faith, obedience, or moral integrity. The concept of temptation is significant in understanding human nature, sin, and the need for divine assistance.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "tempt" is "nāsâ," which can mean to test or prove. A notable instance is when God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac (
Genesis 22:1). Here, the purpose was not to lead Abraham into sin but to test his faith and obedience.
The Israelites also "tempted" God by doubting His provision and protection, as seen in the wilderness narratives.
Psalm 78:18 states, "They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved." This kind of temptation reflects a lack of trust in God's promises and power.
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, the Greek word "peirazō" is used, which can mean to test, try, or tempt. The most significant account of temptation is that of Jesus in the wilderness, where Satan attempts to entice Him into sin (
Matthew 4:1-11,
Luke 4:1-13). Jesus' resistance to temptation is a model for believers, demonstrating reliance on Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
James 1:13-14 provides insight into the nature of temptation: "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed." This passage clarifies that while God may test individuals, He does not tempt them to sin. Temptation arises from within, due to human desires.
Theological Implications:Temptation is a universal human experience, reflecting the fallen nature of humanity. It serves as a battleground for spiritual warfare, where believers are called to resist the devil and stand firm in their faith (
Ephesians 6:11-13). The Lord's Prayer includes a petition for deliverance from temptation: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (
Matthew 6:13).
The Bible assures believers that God provides the strength to overcome temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 states, "No temptation has seized 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."
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to be vigilant and prayerful to avoid falling into temptation. Jesus advised His disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (
Matthew 26:41). Engaging with Scripture, maintaining a strong prayer life, and relying on the Holy Spirit are essential practices for resisting temptation.
Conclusion:While temptation is an inevitable part of the Christian journey, it is also an opportunity for growth and reliance on God's grace. Through Christ's example and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome the trials and tests they face, remaining steadfast in their faith.
ATS Bible Dictionary
TemptTo make trial of,Luke 10:25, and usually to present inducements to sin. Satan is the great tempter, seeking thus most effectually to destroy men's souls,1 Chronicles 21:1Job 1:1-2:13Matthew 4:11 Thessalonians 3:5. Men are also led into sin by their own evil inclinations and by other men,James 1:14-15. God, being holy and desirous of men's holiness, does not thus tempt them,James 1:13; but he makes trial of them, to prove, exercise, and establish their graces,Genesis 22:1James 1:2-3. Christ stands ready to support his people under any possible temptation,11 Corinthians 10:13Hebrews 2:18 4:152 Peter 2:19. Yet they are not to rush into temptation unbidden,Luke 11:4. Men tempt God by presumptuously experimenting on his providence or his grace, or by distrusting him,Exodus 17:2,7Isaiah 7:12Matthew 4:7Acts 5:9 15:10. Sore afflictions are often called temptations or trials, as they are frequently the occasion of sin,Matthew 6:13Luke 8:13 22:28James 1:121 Peter 1:6,7.
Christ, at the outset of his public ministry, was violently assailed by the tempter, who thus displayed his effrontery and his blindness, hoping perhaps that the human soul of the Redeemer would be left unaided by his divinity,Matthew 4:1-25. The temptations are to be understood as real transactions, and not as visions. The tempter was baffled, and left him for a season, to meet a like rebuff on every future assault,Luke 4:13 22:53John 14:30. The Savior triumphed, and paradise was regained.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To put to trial; to prove; to test; to try.
2. (v. t.) To lead, or endeavor to lead, into evil; to entice to what is wrong; to seduce.
3. (v. t.) To endeavor to persuade; to induce; to invite; to incite; to provoke; to instigate.
4. (v. t.) To endeavor to accomplish or reach; to attempt.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TEMPT; TEMPTATIONtemt, tem-ta'-shun (nacah, "to prove" "try," "tempt" maccah, "a trial," "temptation"; peirazo, "to try" "prove" peirasmos "a trial," "proof"): The words have a sinister connotation in present-day usage which has not always attached to them. Originally the words were of neutral content, with the sense of "putting to the proof," the testing of character or quality. Thus, God is "tempted" by Israel's distrust of Him, as if the people were actually challenging Him to show His perfections (Exodus 17:2Psalm 78:18Acts 15:10Hebrews 3:9, and often); Abraham is "tempted," being called upon to offer up Isaac (Genesis 22:1); and Jesus is "tempted" to a spectacular Messiahship (Matthew 4 and parallel passages (see TEMPTATION OF CHRIST)). No evil is implied in the subject of these temptations. Temptation therefore in the Scripture sense has possibilities of holiness as well as of sin. For as all experience witnesses, it is one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall. To be tempted-one may rejoice in that (James 1:2), since in temptation, by conquering it, one may achieve a higher and nobler manhood.
"Why comes temptation but for man to meet
And master and make crouch beneath his foot,
And so be pedestaled in triumph?"
Holiness in its best estate is possible only under conditions which make it necessary to meet, resist and triumph over temptation. Thus, Jesus Himself became our Great High Priest in that, being tempted in all points like as we are, He never once yielded, but fought and triumphed (Hebrews 4:15).
One must not deceive one's self, however, in thinking that, because by the grace of God one may have profit of virtue through temptation as an instrument, all temptation is equally innocent and virtuous. It is noticeable in the case of Jesus that His temptation was under the direction of the Spirit (Mark 1:12); He Himself did not seek it, nor did He fear it. Temptations encountered in this way, the way of duty, the way of the Spirit, alone constitute the true challenge of saintship (James 1:12); but it is the mark of an ignoble nature to be perpetually the center of vicious fancies and tempers which are not of God but of the devil (James 1:13-15). One may not escape entirely such buffetings of faith, but by any sound nature they are easily disposed of. Not so easily disposed of are the trials (temptations) to faith through adversity, affliction, trouble (Luke 22:28Acts 20:19James 1:21 Peter 1:6); and yet there is no lack of evidence to the consoling fact that God does not suffer His own to be tempted above what they are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13) and that for every crisis His grace will be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9).
Charles M. Stuart
Greek
3985. peirazo -- to make proof of, to attempt, test,tempt... to make proof of, to attempt, test,
tempt. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
peirazo Phonetic Spelling: (pi-rad'-zo) Short Definition: I try,
tempt, test
...1598. ekpeirazo -- to test thoroughly,tempt
... to test thoroughly,tempt. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekpeirazo Phonetic
Spelling: (ek-pi-rad'-zo) Short Definition: I put to the test, make trial of...
374. anapeitho -- to persuade
... persuade. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anapeitho Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ap-i'-tho) Short Definition: I urge by evil persuasion, Itempt Definition:...
Strong's Hebrew
974. bachan -- to examine, try... examine, prove,
tempt, try trial. A primitive root; to test (especially metals);
generally and figuratively, to investigate -- examine
...5254. nasah -- to test, try
... adventure, assay, prove,tempt, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication,
to attempt -- adventure, assay, prove,tempt, try. 5253, 5254. nasah. 5255...
Library
Whether toTempt is Proper to the Devil?
... OF THE ASSAULTS OF THE DEMONS (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether totempt is proper to the
devil? Objection 1: It would seem that totempt is not proper to the devil....
Whether it is a Sin toTempt God?
... OF THE TEMPTATION OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is a sin totempt God?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not a sin totempt God....
Then Answered Certain of the Scribes and Pharisees, that they...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section XVI. Then answered certain of the scribes
and Pharisees, that they mighttempt him? [1] [1142...
Whether Temptation of God is Opposed to the virtue of Religion?
... Objection 3: Further, a gloss on Ps.77:18, "And they tempted God in their hearts,"
says that "totempt God is to pray to Him deceitfully, with simplicity in...
Whether the Temptation of God Consists in Certain Deeds, Wherein...
... power alone. Therefore, if the temptation of God consisted in such like
deeds, all who work miracles wouldtempt God. Objection...
Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... The sacred penman begins the narrative thus; verse 1. "And it came to pass, after
these things, God didtempt Abraham." After these things, that it, after he...
Whether a Demon who is Overcome by Man, is for this Reason...
... I answer that, Some say that when once a demon has been overcome he can no more
tempt any man at all, neither to the same nor to any other sin....
Whether it was Becoming that Christ Should be Tempted?
... Christ to be tempted. For totempt is to make an experiment, which is not
done save in regard to something unknown. But the power...
'Lead us not into Temptation'
... Totempt is to present inducements to sin, but a secondary significance is
to do so maliciously, and with desire that we should fall....
John the Baptist
... And there, when Jesus was tired and hungry, Satan came to Him"just as he came to
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden"totempt Him. Totempt means to try....
Thesaurus
Tempt (18 Occurrences)... 4. (vt) To endeavor to accomplish or reach; to attempt. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
TEMPT; TEMPTATION.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Tempt (18 Occurrences).
...Prove (83 Occurrences)
... 16, etc.). The Psalmist prays that God may prove him (Psalm 26:2). The
word is frequently rendered "tempt." SeeTEMPT. The word...
Tempting (12 Occurrences)
... n.) ofTempt.... James 1:13 Let no one say, being tempted -- 'From God I am tempted,'
for God is not tempted of evil, and Himself dothtempt no one, (See NIV)....
Tempted (25 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofTempt.... (KJV WBS). 1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let ustempt Christ,
as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. (KJV DBY WBS)....
Suggest (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To seduce; to prompt to evil; totempt. 4. (vt) To inform secretly. 5.
(vi) To make suggestions; totempt. Multi-Version Concordance...
Try (84 Occurrences)
... Wherefore do yetempt Jehovah? (See JPS YLT).... Deuteronomy 6:16 Ye shall nottempt
Jehovah your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. (See JPS YLT)....
Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... Thus God "tempted [Genesis 22:1; RV, `did prove'] Abraham;" and afflictions are
said totempt, ie, to try, men (James 1:2, 12; Comp....TEMPT; TEMPTATION....
Temporary (13 Occurrences)
Lack (86 Occurrences)
... unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and
prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn'ttempt you because of...
Useless (47 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 3:5 because of this also, I, no longer forbearing, did send to know
your faith, lest he who is tempting didtempt you, and in vain might be our...
Resources
How can I overcome temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are so many evangelical Christian leaders caught in scandals? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations? | GotQuestions.orgTempt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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