ἐκπειράζω

I put to the test, make trial of, tempt

Definition

The verb ἐκπειράζω means to test, try, or tempt someone, often with the nuance of putting them to the test in a way that challenges or provokes. In the New Testament, it carries a strong negative connotation of testing God's patience or character, as seen when Jesus rebukes Satan by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16: 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test' (Matthew 4:7, Luke 4:12). This sense of provoking or challenging divine authority is also present in 1 Corinthians 10:9, where Paul warns against testing Christ as the Israelites did in the wilderness. In Luke 10:25, however, the word is used in a legal context, where a lawyer 'tests' Jesus with a question, indicating a probing or challenging inquiry without the same theological weight.

Biblical Usage

ἐκπειράζω is used four times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels and Pauline epistles. In Matthew 4:7 and Luke 4:12, it describes Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, specifically the challenge to test God's protection. In Luke 10:25, it refers to a lawyer testing Jesus with a question about eternal life, showing a more neutral, interrogative use. In 1 Corinthians 10:9, Paul uses it historically to warn the Corinthian church not to test Christ as the Israelites did, linking it to idolatry and rebellion. The pattern shows it often involves challenging divine authority or patience, except in Luke 10:25, where it is more about probing a teacher.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐκ (ek, meaning 'out of' or 'from') and the verb πειράζω (peirazō, G3985, meaning 'to test,' 'try,' or 'tempt'). The prefix ἐκ intensifies the root, giving ἐκπειράζω a sense of testing thoroughly or to the limit. Cognates include πειράζω, which can have a broader range from testing to tempting, and πείρα (peira, meaning 'trial' or 'experience'). The development emphasizes a provocative or exhaustive testing, often in a negative spiritual context.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant because it highlights the sin of testing God, which is portrayed as an act of unbelief or rebellion. In the temptation narratives (Matthew 4:7, Luke 4:12), Jesus uses it to reject Satan's challenge, affirming trust in God's provision without demanding signs. In 1 Corinthians 10:9, it serves as a warning against presuming on God's grace, linking to Israel's wilderness failures. Understanding ἐκπειράζω enriches Bible reading by clarifying that testing God is distinct from faith-based prayer; it involves provoking Him rather than trusting His character, a key concept in discipleship and obedience.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, testing deities was often seen as dangerous or impious, as it assumed one could manipulate divine power. Jewish tradition, based on passages like Deuteronomy 6:16, viewed testing God as a serious offense, associated with doubt and rebellion during events like the Massah incident (Exodus 17:1-7). This contrasts with modern casual uses of 'tempt' or 'test,' which may lack this spiritual gravity. The cultural context underscores that ἐκπειράζω implied a deliberate challenge to God's authority, not merely a personal trial.

πειράζω (peirazō, G3985) — A broader term for testing or tempting, used in both positive (e.g., testing faith) and negative contexts, without the intensive prefix ἐκ. δοκιμάζω (dokimazō, G1381) — Means to test with a view to approval, often in a positive sense like proving genuineness, unlike ἐκπειράζω's negative provocation.

Word Details

Scripture References