Defining The Term “Reprobate”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedA querist asks, “There are several passages in the New Testament in which the word ‘reprobate’ or phrase ‘reprobate mind’ is used. Can you please provide me a definition of the word reprobate?”
In all of the New Testament passages where the word “reprobate” is used, we find the transliterated Greek word “adokimos.” The word literally means “not standing the test” or “not approved.”
The “test” refers to the testing of coinage in ancient times as to its integrity or purity. Through this testing process, the assayer determined the purity of the coin. If the coin was found impure, the assayer rejected the coin.
As an illustration, in Jeremiah 6:27-30 ESV, God gives the prophet Jeremiah the responsibility of an assayer when He instructs him:
“I have made you a tester of metals among my people, that you may know and test their ways. They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on, for the wicked are not removed. Rejected silver they are called, for the Lord has rejected them.”
Thus through His refining Word (Jeremiah 1:7-9 ESV; Jeremiah 5:14 ESV; Jeremiah 23:29 ESV), God in the above passage, “tests” the spiritual integrity or purity of His people and has found them “reprobate” (Jeremiah 6:30 KJV) or “rejected” (Jeremiah 6:30 ESV) — “not standing the test.”
The evil habits and dispositions of the Israelites were so ingrained that they would not yield to God’s generous offer of restoration. Thus God pronounces them as being like “reprobate” silver — not pure sterling, but a metal full of alloy having neither the superscription of God on their hearts or conduct. Thus God gives them up as incorrigible, and as a result, their adversaries would prevail against them (Jeremiah 6:18-25 ESV).
This should be a warning to all Christians whether Jew or Gentile — God will not tolerate a stubborn and rebellious people (Romans 11:1-22 ESV).
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