📖 Biblical Definition
The self-examination Paul commands as part of Christian discipleship. Two key passages: 1 Corinthians 11:28 (before the Lord's Supper): But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (as ongoing discipleship): Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? The Greek dokimazo (to test, prove by examination) carries the sense of metallurgical assay — testing for genuineness rather than mere casual review. David models the prayer-form in Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Christian self-examination is not morbid introspection or self-flagellation; it is the disciplined honest reckoning with one's actual state before God, producing repentance where needed and assurance where genuine.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Spiritual self-examination, especially before communion.
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The disciplined self-testing Paul commands — examining oneself before participating in the Lord's Supper, and more broadly examining whether one is in the faith. The Greek dokimazō is a coin-testing metaphor: putting yourself to genuine test.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:28 — "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
2 Corinthians 13:5 — "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."
Psalm 139:23-24 — "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Replaced with 'don't be too hard on yourself'; Paul commands the harder discipline.
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Modern devotion runs from self-examination as legalism. Paul commands it. The unexamined life eats and drinks unworthily; the examined life finds the cross afresh. Distinguish self-examination (Spirit-led, gospel-grounded) from morbid introspection (self-flagellation). Both are real categories.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek dokimazō — to test, prove.
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['Greek', 'G1381', 'dokimazō', 'to test, examine']
['Hebrew', 'H974', 'bachan', 'to examine']
Usage
"Examine yourselves before communion."
"Search me, O God."