πειράζω

I try, tempt, test

Definition

The Greek verb πειράζω (peirazō) carries three primary meanings in the New Testament: to test, to tempt, and to examine. In a neutral or positive sense, it means to test or prove the genuineness of something, as when God tested Abraham's faith (Hebrews 11:17) or when believers are encouraged to test themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). In a negative sense, it means to entice someone to sin, which is how Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1) and how believers are warned not to be led into temptation (Matthew 6:13). It can also mean to examine or try, as when the Pharisees tested Jesus with questions (Matthew 22:35).

Biblical Usage

Πειράζω is used 35 times in the New Testament, appearing most frequently in the Gospels and the writings of Paul. It is often used in narratives about conflict, where religious leaders test or trap Jesus with difficult questions (e.g., Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:3). The word is also central to the temptation narrative of Jesus by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). In the Epistles, it describes both God testing human faith (Hebrews 11:17) and believers being tempted by evil desires (James 1:13-14).

Etymology

The verb πειράζω derives from the noun πείρα (peira), meaning 'trial,' 'attempt,' or 'experience.' It is related to the verb πειράω (peiraō), meaning 'to attempt' or 'to try.' The core idea is making a trial of something to discover its quality or character. This root meaning developed to encompass both the neutral act of testing and the malicious act of tempting.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it distinguishes between testing from God and temptation from evil. God may test believers to strengthen genuine faith (as with Abraham), but He never tempts anyone to sin (James 1:13). The word is crucial for understanding the nature of Jesus's victory over Satan in the wilderness, where He was tested but did not sin. Recognizing the dual sense of πειράζω enriches reading by clarifying whether a passage describes a divine trial for refinement or a satanic enticement to evil.

In the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish world, 'testing' was a common motif for proving the worth of a person, metal, or idea. The concept of a divine test was familiar from the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g., God testing Abraham in Genesis 22). The malicious sense of 'tempting' or 'entrapping' someone in speech was a typical tactic in philosophical and rabbinic debates, which is the context for many of the Pharisees' questions to Jesus.

δοκιμάζω (dokimazō, G1381) — emphasizes testing to prove genuineness or approve, often with a positive outcome. ἐκπειράζω (ekpeirazō, G1598) — an intensified form meaning to test thoroughly or tempt excessively, often with a negative connotation of putting God to the test (e.g., Matthew 4:7).

Word Details

Scripture References