Continuously Testing Analogies and Examples in Biblical Studies
The concept of "proving" or "testing" oneself and one's faith is a recurring theme in biblical literature, often emphasizing diligence, examination, and endurance. This testing is not merely an external evaluation but frequently involves an internal scrutiny of one's spiritual state and actions [2, 3].
Scripture presents various facets of this concept. For instance, believers are called to diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, and striving for perfection [1]. This includes cultivating Christian graces, guarding against defilement, and making one's calling and election sure [1]. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interprets this as a call for self-examination, suggesting that believers should prioritize proving themselves rather than seeking proof of Christ speaking through an apostle [3]. This self-assessment helps individuals recognize Christ's presence within them through faith [3].
The testing of faith can also come through external circumstances. God sometimes allows afflictions to prove or try the faith and patience of His people [6]. The Canaanites, for example, served as a means for God to test Israel, to see "whether they would keep the way of the Lord, as their fathers did keep it, or not" (Judges 2:22) [6]. Similarly, the book of Hebrews challenges believers to endure in following Jesus, who is presented as the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating Him in suffering and enduring God's discipline [4]. The "huge crowd of witnesses" mentioned in Hebrews 12:1 refers to faithful followers of God whose lives bear witness to the truth that God blesses a life of faith [4].
The idea of God examining and trying the heart is also found in the Psalms. David prays, "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart" (Psalm 26:2). John Gill interprets this as a request for God to examine his integrity and trust, much like silver and gold are tested by a touchstone, which is the word of God [2]. This examination extends to the thoughts, desires, and affections of the heart, akin to how precious metals are refined in a furnace [2].
Diligence is a key component of this process. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists numerous areas where diligence is required, including keeping the soul, guarding the heart, engaging in "labours of love," and following every good work [1]. The Ephesian Christians are commended in Revelation for their perseverance and faithfulness, having "examined various claims, exercised discipline on evil people, could tell what is true and what is false, and had patiently suffered for their faith in Christ" (Revelation 2:2) [5]. This demonstrates a practical application of testing and proving in discerning truth and resisting evil.
The concept of proving oneself is not limited to individual spiritual growth but also extends to the collective body of believers. In Hebrews 12:14, the exhortation to "look diligently" (KJV) is interpreted by John Gill as a call for church officers or members to watch over one another, ensuring that no one "fail of the grace of God" [7]. This mutual oversight contributes to the overall spiritual health and perseverance of the community.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:2: Examine me, O Lord,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; and prove me; or "tempt me" (r); as Abraham was tempted by the Lord; and his faith in him, and fear of him, and love to him, were proved to be true and genuine; try my reins and my heart; the thoughts, desires, and affections of it, as gold and silver are tried in the furnace; and so God sometimes tries the faith and patience of his people by afflictive providences; and this examin”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine--Greek, "Try (make trial of) yourselves." prove your own selves--This should be your first aim, rather than "seeking a proof of Christ speaking in me" (Co2 13:3). your own selves--I need not speak much in proof of Christ being in me, your minister (Co2 13:3), for if ye try your own selves ye will see that Christ is also in you [CHRYSOSTOM], (Rom 8:10). Finding Christ dwelling in yourselves by faith, ye may well believe that He speaks in me, by whose ministry ye have received this faith [ESTIUS]. To doubt it would be the sin of Israel”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 2:2: 2:2-3 I know: This repeated refrain (2:9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15) shows Christ’s total knowledge of his people, their activities, and their circumstances. • The Ephesian Christians had a correct theology marked by perseverance and faithfulness. They had examined various claims, exercised discipline on evil people, could tell what is true and what is false, and had patiently suffered for their faith in Christ.”
- Judges (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Judges 2:22: That through them I may prove Israel,.... Afflict them by them, and so prove or try them, their faith and patience, which are tried by afflictions; and such were the Canaanites to them, as afflictions and temptations are to the spiritual Israel of God; or rather, whether they would keep in the ways of God, or walk in those the Canaanites did, as follows: whether they will keep the way of the Lord, as their fathers did keep it, or not; whether they would worship the true God their fathers did, or the gods of the Canaanites; not that the Lord was ignorant of what they”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 12:14: Looking diligently,.... Acting the part of bishops, or overseers, as the word signifies; and so this exhortation either respects officers of the church of the Hebrews, whose business it was more especially to inspect into the principles and practices of the members of it, and take care that they did not imbibe false doctrines, or live immoral lives; or rather the several members of the church, whose business it is to watch over one another, since this epistle seems to be written to the whole church. Lest any man fail of the grace of God; not the free favour and lo”