[Greek] πειράω (peiraō), [Latin] temptare: to rob, to attempt, to make an attempt, to try, to test (someone or something), to put to the test, to strive, to make an effort; Acts 9:26, Acts 26:21, Heb.4:15
The Trial of the Apostle Paul: painting by Nikolai Bodarevsky (1875)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to make a hostile attack against someone (or something), to test someone (or something), to attempt, to endeavor, to persuade, to make an attempt on a woman’s honor, to take a chance, to try, to make proof of, and to tempt a god.
Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War 6.92: To actively join its worse enemies in attacking the country.
Herodotus’ The Histories 6.82: To make an attempt on the city.
Plutarch’s Brutus 10: To conspire against Caesar.
Herodotus’ The Histories 1.46: To test the knowledge of the oracle.
Homer’s Iliad 2.193: To smite the sons of the Achaeans.
Herodotus’ The Histories 6.86: To question the oracle whether to he should have seized the money.
Herodotus’ The Histories 6.86: To tempt the god and to do the deed had the same effect.
Old Testament (religious and secular scriptural examples):
Man is tempted: This becomes the first instance where God makes demands, requiring man’s faith, fear, and confidence. Man, in his attempt to seek to be like God, rebels against God’s commandment, transgresses it, and becomes guilty. Man is subject to constant threat through trial, whether it be that God tests (proves) him or that the adversary (Satan) is at work. The best known scripture is Abraham being tested by God. Wisdom provides many references to testing.
Man tempts God: Man testing God becomes a recurrent theme in the Old Testament. To test or to tempt God is the failure to see His glory or His signs and wonders. To test God is to challenge Him. It is an expression of unbelief, doubt, and disobedience. If we love God and keep His commandments, we cannot test Him or question His power by an attitude of doubt and unbelief. Not to tempt God is to believe in Him, to trust Him, and not to doubt His power.
Take your son Isaac and go the land of Morah. There you shall offer up as a holocaust (Gen.22:2). Do not be afraid, for God has come to you only to test you and put His fear upon you, lest you sin (Exo.20:20). Thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions aor not (Exo.16:4). Through these nations the Israelites were to be made to prove whether or not they would keep to the way of the Lord (Jdgs.2:22). But Ahaz answered, ‘I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!’(Isa.7:12). They tested God in their hearts, demanding the food they craved (Psa.77:17). Because He is found by those who test Him not, and He manifests Himself to those who do not disbelieve Him (Sol.1:2)
New Testament: This term means to attempt, to try, and to be tested. After his conversion experience, Paul finds himself in the position as an apostate by the Jews and as a suspect person by the Christian community in Jerusalem. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were suspicious about his intentions. Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he was brought before King Agrippa. Paul, in speaking to the king, relates that the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him. Jesus is the High Priest who understands our weaknesses and has been tested in every way, yet with sin.
Scripture:
“When he arrived in Jerusalem, Paul tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.” Acts 9:26
Since the disciples had known the former Pharisees Saul as a persecutor of Christians, the disciples were very wary of Paul’s intentions.
“That is why the Jews seized me when I was in the temple and tried to kill me.” Acts 26:21
The Jews felt that Paul had become an enemy in abandoning his Pharahistic ways. The Jews sought to avenge Paul.
“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet with out sin.” Heb.4:17
Jesus is a High priest superior to the Old Testament priests. Jesus, also tested, can sympathize with our struggles.
Etymology: It is interesting to note that the words pirate and piracy are derived from this term. Piracy is an act of robbery and criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers with the intent of stealing cargo. The Greek peirates and Latin pirata are ones who attacks ships. The rocky Mediterranean coasts, not suitable for agriculture or large populations, were populated with pirates. The Greek leistes, similar to the pirate, is the corresponding land-based criminal (bandit). This Greek term diamachomai consists of the dia- prefix which indicates intensity. The base verb machomai means to quarrel or to dispute.
Conclusion:
Pirate, piracy, tempt, temptation, tempted, attempt
This is quite an interesting term that is present and applicable in any period of history. At first, I had wondered if being a pirate had any connection to this term. In my ‘attempt’ to look into this, I was eventually proven correct.
It was perhaps not surprising that there are many uses and applications of this term. In any time in history, we know what a pirate, bandit, or criminal is. History has been replete with terrorists, revolutionaries, rioters, and looters. People had often questioned or tested the gods to ascertain whether to make an important decision (to attack a city, to make a journey, etc.). Likewise, tempting or questioning a god could bring serious consequences. Not surprisingly, this notion also continues in the Old Testament and New Testament cultures.
So pirates and piracy are associated with this term. One can also see that there is the land-based form of piracy. They also could be called rioters and looters.
In the Old Testament, man can be tempted or tested by God in order for God to understand his character, trust, and obedience. Satan may also test or tempt man (as part of God’s providence). The Wisdom books provide numerous examples of instructive testing.
Many of us at times often try, test, tempt, and question God. In a sense, we are the ones challenging Him. This perhaps show more of our lack of trust. (You can count me in this group!) Trusting is oftentimes not easy for me to do. This becomes an on-going challenging process.
Perhaps it was not surprising that the disciples would be cautious or fearful of associating with this former Pharisee Saul. This Pharisee developed an infamous reputation as a persecutor of Christians. Because of own his conversion experience, Paul also has created Jewish enemies. These Jews felt Paul had abandoned his Jewish ways. Jesus is the High Priest, also tested, who understands our weaknesses.
Unfortunately, these rioters and looters are taking advantage of these protesters’ efforts concerning George Floyd. Perhaps, in their anger, even some feel justified in destroying property and businesses. Nonetheless, these rioters and looters, like pirates, are hijacking the earnest protesters’ movement and cause. And in Seattle, there is CHAZ, an occupation zone in which the police were ordered to leave by city officials in order to “de-escalate tensions”. Some have even called this location a street festival or a block party. Good luck with that idea that everything is just fine!
I am finished with this post. I do not want to further try or test your patience.