REPROBATE. In the KJV this word appears once in the OT (Jer 6:30) where the wicked are likened to “reprobate silver,” i.e., the dross from the silver, which is rejected. The ASV and RSV have “refuse silver.” In the NT the word occurs six times in both KJV and ASV, in the following passages: Romans 1:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6, 7; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:16. The RSV does not use “reprobate” in any of these cases, but has a similar word or phrase. Αδόκιμος, the Gr. word which occurs in these vv., also appears in 1 Corinthians 9:27 and Hebrews 6:8. Its basic meaning seems to be “not standing the test, and so rejected.” In the LXX it is used in Proverbs 25:4 and Isaiah 1:22 where the idea is similar to that in Jeremiah 6:30.

Paul says of the ungodly world, “Even as they refused (οὐκ ἐδοκίμασεν) to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate (ἀδόκιμον) mind” (Rom 1:28 ASV). RSV has “base mind” but this is inadequate. J. Murray (Comm. in loco) paraphrases it: “To a mind that is rejected because deemed worthless.” Paul uses athletic metaphors (1 Cor 9:27) in exhorting his readers to selfcontrol, and concludes by saying that he himself is not exempt from this need, for it is always possible that having preached to others, and not having heeded his own preaching, he might be “disqualified.” On the other hand, to those at Corinth who were suggesting that Paul was a counterfeit apostle who did not measure up to the standards of an apostle, he suggested that they examine themselves to see whether Christ is in them, otherwise they will fail to meet the test. Paul refers to some men who have a “counterfeit faith” (2 Tim 3:8) and to others who are “unfit for any good deed” (Titus 1:16). Hebrews 6:8 speaks of land which bears thorns and thistles which is “worthless.”

Bibliography J. Denney in HDB IV (1902), 228; M. R. W. Farrer in NDB (1962), 1085.