Word Study for G1381 (δοκιμάζω)

dokimázō /dok-im-ad'-zo/ Ask about this word

Rootfrom δόκιμος

Meaningto test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve

KJV usageallow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dokimázō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word dokimázō, represented by G1381, means to test, try, or examine something to determine its genuineness. It appears 28 times across 21 unique verses. The word carries the strong implication of testing with the intention of approving the object if it passes, meaning to "allow," "discern," or "approve."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G1381 is used in several key contexts. It commands believers to engage in spiritual discernment, such as when they are told to prove what the will of God is Romans 12:2 and to try the spirits to see if they are from God 1 John 4:1. The term also applies to personal accountability, urging individuals to examine themselves before taking the Lord's supper 1 Corinthians 11:28 and to prove their own work Galatians 6:4. God himself is the one who trieth the hearts of believers 1 Thessalonians 2:4, and faith is tried with fire like precious gold 1 Peter 1:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Greek words clarify the concept of testing and approval:

G3985 peirázō: This word also means to test or try, but can carry the sense of scrutiny or discipline. It is used when the fathers tempted God in the wilderness, even after they proved him Hebrews 3:9.
G96 adókimos: As the opposite of approved, this term means unapproved, rejected, or reprobate. Those who do not like to retain God in their knowledge are given over to a reprobate mind Romans 1:28, and a believer must prove himself, lest he be a reprobate 2 Corinthians 13:5.
G1383 dokímion: This is the noun form, signifying a testing or trial. The trial of a believer's faith is considered more precious than gold and is tested by fire 1 Peter 1:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G1381 centers on the theme of authenticating faith and character.

Spiritual Discernment: Believers are called to actively prove all things and hold fast to what is good 1 Thessalonians 5:21. This includes discerning God's will Romans 12:2 and approving things that are excellent to remain sincere and without offence Philippians 1:10.
Authentic Faith: The word is central to self-examination. Believers are commanded to prove themselves to see if they are in the faith 2 Corinthians 13:5. This process ensures that one's profession is genuine.
Divine Testing: God is portrayed as the ultimate examiner who trieth the hearts of His people 1 Thessalonians 2:4. Furthermore, every person's work will ultimately be tried by fire to reveal its true quality 1 Corinthians 3:13.

Summary

In summary, G1381 is a critical term for understanding the biblical process of validation. It is not a test for the sake of failure, but a process of examination to confirm what is genuine, acceptable, and perfect. From a believer's responsibility to try the spirits to God's work of trying hearts, dokimázō underscores the importance of a proven faith that withstands scrutiny and is found worthy of approval.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 23 occurrences, inflected in 17 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

Present Active Infinitive 4×
Present Active Imperative 2nd Plural 3×
Present Active Imperative 3rd Singular 2×
Aorist Active Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Aorist Active Infinitive 1×
Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd Plural 1×
Dative Singular Feminine 1×
Future Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×
Perfect Passive Indicative 1st Plural 1×
Present Active Indicative 2nd Singular 1×
Present Active Indicative 3rd Singular 1×

+ 5 rarer forms

Dative: The indirect object — often "to" or "for".
Singular: One.
Plural: More than one.
Feminine: Feminine grammatical gender.
1st: First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd: Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd: Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present: Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Future: Action yet to take place.
Aorist: Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect: A completed act whose results continue.
Active: The subject performs the action.
Passive: The subject is acted upon.
Indicative: A plain statement of fact.
Imperative: A command or entreaty.
Subjunctive: Possibility or purpose — "might", "should".
Infinitive: The verb as a noun — "to do".

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 12 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Romans (4 verses); never once in the other 15.

Luke

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

1 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

Hebrews

1 Peter

1 John

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.