The Greek verb anakrínō (ἀνακρίνω) means to examine, investigate, question closely, or judge. It is used in both legal contexts (judicial examination) and spiritual contexts (discernment of spiritual things).
Anakrínō spans several vital theological contexts. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 'examined the Scriptures every day' — a model of teachable, rigorous engagement with God's word. Paul insists in 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 that 'the person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God' because they are 'discerned only through the Spirit.' Spiritual examination requires the Spirit's illumination. Yet Paul also states 'I do not even judge myself' (1 Cor 4:3), surrendering self-judgment to God. The word appears in legal examination of prisoners — highlighting how the same God who examines all things perfectly is also the one who declares believers 'not guilty' in Christ.