In the context of the Bible, "proving" often refers to the process of testing, examining, or demonstrating the truth, faithfulness, or quality of something or someone. This concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, where God tests His people, and believers are encouraged to test themselves and others to ensure alignment with divine truth and righteousness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "prove" is "nāsâ," which means to test or try. One of the most notable instances of proving is found in the account of Abraham. God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Genesis 22:1-2 states, "Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will show you.'" This test was not for God to learn something new about Abraham, but to demonstrate Abraham's faith and obedience.

The Israelites also experienced proving during their wilderness journey. In Deuteronomy 8:2 , Moses reminds them, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments." Here, proving served to reveal the Israelites' faithfulness and dependence on God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "dokimazō" is often used, meaning to test, examine, or approve. The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of proving in the context of Christian living and doctrine. In Romans 12:2 , Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This verse highlights the importance of discernment and the need for believers to align their lives with God's will through a process of testing and transformation.

Paul also encourages self-examination in 2 Corinthians 13:5 : "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?" This call to self-proving is a vital aspect of maintaining a genuine and vibrant faith.

Proving Others and Doctrine

The Bible also instructs believers to prove or test others, particularly in the context of teaching and prophecy. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 , Paul advises, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This directive underscores the necessity of discernment in evaluating teachings and prophecies to ensure they align with biblical truth.

Similarly, in 1 John 4:1 , believers are warned, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This testing is crucial for safeguarding the church against false teachings and maintaining doctrinal purity.

Proving Through Trials

The concept of proving is also linked to the trials and tribulations believers face. James 1:2-3 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Here, proving through trials is seen as a means of spiritual growth and maturity, refining believers' faith and character.

In summary, the biblical concept of proving encompasses testing, examining, and demonstrating faithfulness and truth. It is a multifaceted process involving self-examination, discernment of teachings, and enduring trials, all aimed at aligning with God's will and growing in spiritual maturity.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Prove.1382. dokime -- (the process or result of) trial, proving ...
... 1381b, 1382. dokime. 1383 . (the process or result of) trial, proving, approval.
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dokime Phonetic Spelling: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1382.htm - 7k

1381b. dokimasia -- a testing, a proving
... 1381a, 1381b. dokimasia. 1382 . a testing, a proving. Transliteration:
dokimasia Short Definition: testing. Word Origin from dokimazo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381b.htm - 5k

1384. dokimos -- tested, approved
... 1383 (). 1384 () was used for the proving (testing) of coins, ie confirming
they were (not counterfeit, corrupted).]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1384.htm - 7k

1381a. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... to approve NASB Word Usage analyze (2), approve (3), approved (1), approves (1),
examine (4), examines (1), prove (1), proving (1), see fit (1), test (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381a.htm - 5k

1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
... 46), happening (5), happens (3), has (3), join* (1), joined (3), made (15), occur
(3), occurred (18), performed (4), prove (7), proved (6), proving (1), put (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1096.htm - 15k

4822. sumbibazo -- to join together, hence to consider, by ext. to ...
... to teach NASB Word Usage concluded (1), concluding (1), held (1), held together
(1), instruct (1), knit together (1), proving (1), together* (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4822.htm - 8k

4742. stigma -- a bed of leaves or rushes
... [Brand-marks (4742 ), like "tatoos" (Gk ), were burned into the skin of slaves
in NT times -- proving they a particular owner.]. mark, brand ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4742.htm - 6k

4531b. massah -- a test, trial, proving
... a test, trial, proving. Transliteration: massah Short Definition: trials. Word Origin
from nasah Definition a test, trial, proving NASB Word Usage trials (3). ...
/hebrew/4531b.htm - 5k

Of the Proving of the True Lover
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER VI Of the proving of the true lover.
"My Son, thou art not yet strong and prudent in thy love." ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter vi of the proving.htm

The Sixth Chapter: the Proving of a True Lover
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Sixth Chapter: The Proving of a True Lover.
The Voice of Christ MY CHILD, you are not yet a brave and wise lover. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the sixth chapter the proving.htm

Examples from Nature Proving that Bodies May Remain Unconsumed and ...
... Book XXI. Chapter 4."Examples from Nature Proving that Bodies May Remain
Unconsumed and Alive in Fire. If, therefore, the salamander ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 examples from nature proving.htm

But We, in Proving the Facts Related of Our Jesus from the ...
... Chapter XXIII. But we, in proving the facts related of our Jesus from the
prophetic Scriptures? But we, in proving the facts related ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxiii but we in.htm

Proving God's Faithfulness (1902-1908)
... VI PROVING GOD'S FAITHFULNESS (1902-1908). "The safest place . . . is the path
of duty.". ONE of the results of our gracious and merciful ...
/.../how i know god answers prayer/vi proving gods faithfulness 1902-1908.htm

Conclusion. This Treatise Forms a Preface to the Other Work, "On ...
... This Treatise Forms a Preface to the Other Work, "On the Resurrection of the Flesh,"
Proving the Reality of the Flesh Which Was Truly Born, and Died, and Rose ...
/.../ on the flesh of christ/chapter xxv conclusion this treatise forms.htm

A Presumption that all Things were Created by God Out of Nothing ...
... Things to Nothing. Scriptures Proving This Reduction Vindicated from Hermogenes'
Charge of Being Merely Figurative. Besides, [6489 ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xxxiv a presumption that all.htm

Faith Tested and Crowned
... Temptation says: 'Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it
is wrong.' Trial, or proving, says: 'Do this right and noble thing; do not be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/faith tested and crowned.htm

part 2
... There is an explanation to all things right here in the Word of God, too. "Proving
God". Now let us come at closer grips with the text itself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... 4. Striking passages of Scripture, proving that God acts in both ways, and disposing
of the objection with regard to prescience. Confirmation from Augustine. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

Proving (14 Occurrences)
... n.) of Prove. Multi-Version Concordance Proving (14 Occurrences). John 8:6 But this
they said proving him, that they might have something to accuse him of. ...
/p/proving.htm - 10k

Evidently (4 Occurrences)
... the evidence of things not seen," the English Revised Version "proving," margin,
"or test," better, as the American Standard Revised Version, "conviction ...
/e/evidently.htm - 10k

Evidence (41 Occurrences)
... the evidence of things not seen," the English Revised Version "proving," margin,
"or test," better, as the American Standard Revised Version, "conviction ...
/e/evidence.htm - 21k

Evident (26 Occurrences)
... the evidence of things not seen," the English Revised Version "proving," margin,
"or test," better, as the American Standard Revised Version, "conviction ...
/e/evident.htm - 16k

Probation
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of proving; a period of time during
which one's character or fitness is tested. 2. (n.) Any ...
/p/probation.htm - 7k

Provincial (7 Occurrences)

/p/provincial.htm - 9k

Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 8:8 I do not speak as commanding it, but through the zeal
of others, and proving the genuineness of your love. (DBY). ...
/z/zeal.htm - 21k

Keilah (16 Occurrences)
... David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-8); but the
inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver him up to ...
/k/keilah.htm - 15k

Nain (1 Occurrence)
... height above the village. There are many ancient remains, proving that the
place was once of considerable size. It was never enclosed ...
/n/nain.htm - 8k

Note (129 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A mark, or sign, made to call attention, to point out something to notice,
or the like; a sign, or token, proving or giving evidence. ...
/n/note.htm - 37k

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