New Testament Words Explained: Old - Prove

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Old.
Prayer, Request, Supplication.
These words are represented in Greek by six, three of which proseuchee, de-eesis, and enteuxis occur in 1 Tim. 2:11I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1), the other three are aiteema, iketeeria, and euchee.
This last word is only found once in the sense of prayer (James 5:1515And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)), but twice in that of" vow" (Acts 18:18; 21:2318And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. (Acts 18:18)
23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; (Acts 21:23)) which is its more proper meaning. Proscuchee is prayer in general, but always to God, whereas de-eesis means not only more particular requests made to Him, but petitions in general even when asked of men; it is however only used in the New Testament in the former sense. Enteuxis, occurring only in 1 Tim. 2:1;4. 5, does not mean strictly "intercession," but rather implies free familiar prayer such as boldly draws near to God. Aiteema means the various requests of which a prayer is composed (Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6); 1 John 5:1515And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:15)), or it may not be restricted to prayer, but refer to requests in general (Luke 23:2424And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. (Luke 23:24)). Iketeeria originally referred to the olive branch bound round with wool, which was held forth by a suppliant in token of his character. Hence it has come to mean a humble prayer. In the New Testament it is only used in Heb. 5:77Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (Hebrews 5:7).
Prove, Try, Examine.
Peirazo, and dokimazo are each rendered in the New Testament in all the three ways given here: "prove" in John 6:66And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (John 6:6); Luke 14:1919And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. (Luke 14:19), " try" in Rev. 2:2; 1 Cor. 3:1313Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:13); and "examine" in 2 Cor. 13:55Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5); 1 Cor. 11:2828But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28). The difference between the two words may be roughly expressed thus; peirazo is proving to find out or bring out the evil, dokimazo to bring out the good. Peirazo is thus often Satan's work (Matt. 4:11Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1); 1 Cor. 7:55Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (1 Corinthians 7:5) James 1:22My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (James 1:2); Rev. 2 o), but may be used of God (Heb. 11:1717By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, (Hebrews 11:17)), here meaning simply to make manifest what was in the person. Dokimazo however can never be used of the temptations of Satan, because he never tries with a view of finding out good. It often means not only means " proved" but " approved" (2 Cor. 8:88I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (2 Corinthians 8:8); 1 Thess. 2:44But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4); 1 Tim. 3 to), just as with us " tried" means not only " tested" but " trustworthy"; thus. "fireproof" means "that can withstand fire."
( To be continued.)