Examine; Examination
Judicial Examination in the Old Testament
The Old Testament uses examination language primarily in legal and judicial contexts. The Hebrew word meaning "to inquire" or "make inquisition" describes the process by which judges and leaders investigated matters brought before them. Deuteronomy 13:14 instructs that when a report of idolatry is received, the people must "inquire, investigate, and examine it thoroughly" before taking action.
Ezra 10:16 describes a formal judicial process when Ezra and the heads of families "sat down to examine the matter" of intermarriage with foreign wives. This was not a hasty decision but a careful investigation that took three months to complete (Ezra 10:16-17). The thoroughness of the examination reflected the seriousness of the issue and the desire to act justly.
Testing and Proving in the Psalms
The Psalms introduce a deeply personal dimension to examination. David prays in Psalm 26:2, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind." Here the Hebrew word carries the sense of testing metals for purity, applying the metaphor of a refiner's fire to the inner life. David invites God to scrutinize his deepest motivations and loyalties.
Psalm 139:23-24 expresses the same desire: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." These prayers reveal a remarkable spiritual maturity, a willingness to submit to divine examination knowing that only God can see the truth about the human heart.
Legal Examination in the New Testament
The New Testament uses several Greek words for examination, reflecting the formal legal procedures of the Roman world. In Luke 23:14, Pilate tells the Jewish leaders, "I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him." The Greek word here means to conduct a judicial investigation, and Pilate's examination of Jesus constitutes one of the most significant legal proceedings in history.
In Acts, the same language describes various legal hearings. Peter and John were examined by the Sanhedrin after healing the lame man (Acts 4:9). Paul was about to be examined by scourging before he revealed his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:24, 29). Festus noted the need for a formal examination before sending Paul to Caesar (Acts 25:26).
Self-Examination in the Epistles
Paul transforms the concept of examination from a judicial procedure into a spiritual discipline. In 1 Corinthians 11:28, he instructs believers to "examine themselves" before participating in the Lord's Supper. The word here means to test or prove, implying that believers should assess whether they are approaching communion with proper reverence and right relationships.
In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul challenges the Corinthians even more directly: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." This call to self-examination asks believers to honestly assess the reality of their spiritual condition rather than assuming all is well. The goal is not morbid introspection but genuine self-awareness that leads to growth.
The Purpose of Examination
Throughout Scripture, examination serves the purpose of bringing truth to light. Whether a judge investigating a crime, a psalmist inviting God's scrutiny, or a believer assessing their own heart, the act of examination reflects the biblical conviction that truth matters and that hiding from reality is never the path to wholeness.
Hebrews 4:12-13 connects all these threads: "The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight." Divine examination is not optional; it is the inescapable reality of life before a God who sees all things.
Biblical Context
Examination appears in judicial contexts in Ezra 10:16, Deuteronomy 13:14, Luke 23:14, Acts 4:9, 22:24, and 25:26. The Psalms use examination language for spiritual self-scrutiny (Psalm 26:2; 139:23-24). Paul applies the concept to the believer's spiritual life in 1 Corinthians 11:28 and 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Theological Significance
Biblical examination reveals that God values truth at every level, from courtroom justice to the interior life of the believer. The call to self-examination teaches that authentic faith requires honest self-assessment, not self-deception. God's willingness to examine and be examined by his people reflects his commitment to transparent relationship and his holiness that cannot coexist with pretense.
Historical Background
The judicial systems reflected in the Bible drew on both ancient Near Eastern and Roman legal traditions. Israelite courts required thorough investigation before judgment, with Deuteronomy establishing rules for evidence and testimony. Roman legal procedure, including the right of citizens to a formal hearing, is reflected in the examination of Paul in Acts. The Greek words used for examination in the New Testament correspond to recognized legal terms in the Roman judicial system, reflecting Luke's familiarity with contemporary legal vocabulary.