incontinency (1 Co 7'). St. Paul is afraid lest the Thessalonians have yielded to the ' temptation' to apostasy (1 Th 3=). He exhorts the Galatians to be consitlerate towards those who have been over- taken in any trespass, lest they also should be ' tempted ' (U'). St. James describes the course which temiitation when unresisted takes. ' Each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin' (I"'-). In the sense of enticing to evil it is Satan that tempts men. He is the tempter. St. Paul is anxious lest ' the tempter' had 'tempted' the Thessalonians, and his labour should be in vain (1 Th 3*). Satan may 'tempt' the Corinthians (1 Co 7"). Men trans- gress by the suggestions of ' the adversary ' (Clem. Rom. li. 1). In this sense of the word God tempts no m.an (Ja 1'^). He rather so regulates the temptation that men may be able to resist it. ' God is faithful, who will not sutler you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation make also the w,ay of escape, that ye maybe able toendureit ' (1 Co 10"). He' knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation ' (2 P 2') ; and this is true also when ' temptation ' means ' distress.' The Mighty One hath not forgotten the house of Israel in 'temptation' {in tentatione, 4 Ezr li^"). Christ, too, succours the 'tempted.' Having been tempted Himself in all points like as we are, yet without sin (He 4"), having Himself sufiered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted (2'*).
Temptation, whether arising from trying circum- stances or from incitement to sin, if successfully encountered, leads to progress in the moral life and to blessedness. Among the Agrapha is the saying, 'A man is unproved (dSoKi^os) if he be untempted' (a.TvelpadTO's, Didosc. Syr. ii. 8). TertuUian reports one to the ettect that ' neminem intentatum regna coelestia consecuturum ' (de Bapt. 20). Faith tested results in patience (Ja I^'-). 'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation ; for when he hath been approved (SiSki^os), he shall receive the crown of life '(!'-). Those whose faith withstands mani- fold temptations shall receive praise and glory and honour (1 P 1"'-).
We have seen that the Or. words usually rendered 'temptation' and 'tempt' sometimes have the meaning of trying or testing. But words used more frequently with these meanings are doKi/xri and its cognates, and in the rest of this art. it is with these words that we shall deal. Men and things are ' tried ' in order to find out their true nature. Gold is 'tried' with fire (1 P 1'). Before partaking of the Lord's Supper a man must 'try' himself (1 Co IP*). Men must 'try' them- selves whether they are in the f.aith (2 Co 13*). Each man must ' try ' his own work (Gal 6^). ' Test all things ; hold fast that which is good ' (1 Th 5^'). Deacons must be ' proved ' before they are allowed to serve (1 Ti 3'"). Fire 'tests' the work of men (1 Co 3'*). God ' tests ' or ' examines' men's hearts (1 Th 2*). ' Prove the spirits, whether they are of God ' (1 Jn 4'). Sometimes it is evident that it is hoped that the testing will have a favour- able result, and it may be pointed out that Satan is never said to ' test ' men. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he might know the 'proof of them, whether they were obedient in all things (2 Co 2'). He ' proves ' through the earnestness of others the sincerity of their love (8*). Frequently it appears to be taken for granted that the object ' tested ' will be or has been found worthy. The Jew ' approveth ' the things that are excellent (?Ro 218). It is iioped that the Philippians will do the same (1'"). Men may 'approve' what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Ro 12-'). St. Paul has been ' approved ' of God ( 1 Th 2^).
TEN
TEKTULLUS
The Epliesians are exhorted to ' approve ' what is well-pleasing unto the Lord (5'"). Occasionally the word seems to mean ' to pass a verdict of worthiness upon.' 'Whomsoever yc shall ap|>rove by letters, them will I send ' (1 Co Hi'). ' Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approvetli' (Ko 14--).
One wlio conducts himself nohly under trial has advanced a step beyond patience (Ko S''). He has attained a trustworthy character (I'll 2--; cf. 2 Co 8--). He is 'approved' (Mdi/tos). If the result of the testing is unsatisfactory, he i.s ' rej^irobate ' {dSdKtfios). He who serves Christ in the Kingdom of God is 'approved' of men (Ko 14'*). Apelles is 'the approved in Christ' (Ro 16'"). One who refused to countenance divisions (aip^aeis) in the Cluirch is 'approved' (1 Co 11'"). 'Approval' means not self-commendation, but the commenda- tion of the Lord (2 Co 10'"). A workman needing not to be ashamed is ' approved ' unto God (2 Ti 2'^). Doing that which is honourable brings a person real, as distinguished from seeming, ' approval ' (2 Co 13').