Importance of Self-Examination in Christian Worship
The apostle Paul commands believers to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves" [2, 3]. This directive, given in 2 Corinthians 13:5, establishes self-examination as a biblical imperative rather than a mere spiritual suggestion. The practice involves scrutinizing one's own spiritual state, motivations, and conformity to Christ—a discipline that Scripture presents as both necessary and advantageous for Christian worship.
Biblical Foundation and Practice
Self-examination is "enjoined" in Scripture and "necessary before the communion" [1]. Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:28 requires believers to examine themselves before partaking of the Lord's Supper, testing their "own state of mind in respect to Christ's death" and their "capability of discerning the Lord's body" [8]. This examination is not intended to keep believers away from the table but to ensure they approach it with proper understanding and reverence [8]. The practice extends beyond the communion table to encompass the believer's entire spiritual condition, as Paul elsewhere urges the Galatians to "prove his own work" by reviewing heart and actions against "the rule of God's word" [9].
The Nature of Proper Examination
Scripture acknowledges the "cause of difficulty" in self-examination: "the heart is deceitful above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9) [1]. Because of this inherent limitation, self-examination must be "engaged in with holy awe" and "with prayer for divine searching" [1]. The psalmist models this approach: "Search me, O God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23-24) [1]. True worship occurs "as God's Spirit reveals God's truth and reality to the worshiper" [6], making self-examination a Spirit-enabled activity rather than mere introspection.
The examination should include assessing whether one "has a true sense of sin, sorrow and repentance," whether one is "a partaker of the true grace of faith," and whether love for Christ and the saints is evident [7]. Sacrifices offered in worship "come from a heart that is right with God and with others" [5], requiring believers to examine not only their vertical relationship with God but also their horizontal relationships within the community.
Advantages and Purpose
The advantages of self-examination include avoiding divine judgment ("if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged," 1 Corinthians 11:31) and gaining assurance (1 John 3:20-22) [1]. The practice should be undertaken "with purpose of amendment" [1], as part of the sanctifying work that "extends to the whole man" [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Examination — Enjoined -- 2Co 13:5. Necessary before the communion -- 1Co 11:28. Cause of difficulty in -- Jer 17:9. Should be engaged in With holy awe. -- Ps 4:4. With diligent search. -- Ps 77:6; La 3:40. With prayer for divine searching. -- Ps 26:2; 139:23,24. With purpose of amendment. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Advantages of -- 1Co 11:31; Ga 6:4; 1Jo 3:20-22.”
- 2 Corinthians “Test your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. -- 2 Corinthians 13:5”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 13:5 (BSB) — Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:19: 51:19 Sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others (see 15:2-5; 24:3-6; 50:14; Matt 5:23-24).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 11:27: But let a man examine himself,.... Whether he has a true sense of sin, sorrow and repentance for it; otherwise he will see no need of a Saviour, nor will he look to Christ for salvation, or be thankful to him for redemption by him; all which are necessary in a due observance of this ordinance; also, whether he is in the faith, whether he is a partaker of the true grace of faith, which is attended with good works, and shows itself by love to Christ, and to the saints; whereby a man goes out of himself to Christ for spiritual food and strength, peace and comfort”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:28: examine--Greek, "prove" or "test" his own state of mind in respect to Christ's death, and his capability of "discerning the Lord's body" (Co1 11:29, Co1 11:31). Not auricular confession to a priest, but self-examination is necessary. so--after due self-examination. of . . . of--In Co1 11:27, where the receiving was unworthily, the expression was, "eat this bread, drink . . . cup" without "of." Here the "of" implies due circumspection in communicating [BENGEL]. let him eat--His self-examination is not in order that he may stay away, but th”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:4: But let every man prove his own work,.... Not concern himself about the actions and works of others; let him review his own heart and actions; let him examine, try, and prove his whole conduct in life by the rule of God's word, when he will find enough at home, without bearing hard upon, and censuring others: and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another; which is either ironically said, he will then see what reason he has to rejoice and glory in his own works, and vaunt over others, and to boast of his performances, and despise others; so ”