What does Reprobate Mean?

Those who failed the test.

Photo by David Pupaza

Etymology

Greek: ἀδόκιμος

The word for reprobate is often translated in different ways, depending on the translation, though the meaning is the same.

Synonyms

Unrighteous

Failing the Test

Counterfeit

Given in to evil

Debased

Unapproved

Unacceptable

Disqualified

Immoral

Castaway

Information

The term reprebate refers to unrighteous people, those who are unrighteous, do not follow God and do not follow God's commandments. With the understanding that life is a test with obstacles to be overcome, the word ἀδόκιμος can also refer to giving into all temptation and thus failing the test. The opposite of reprobate is elect, those who follow God's commandments, resist evil, and pass the test. According to Abrahamic scriptures, the reprobate will be given multiple opportunities to hear God's word and to change their ways but remain hardened in their heart and refuse to repent. As a result, at the time of God's final judgement, they will be cast away from God's presence.

Scripture References

The Guilt of Humankind

The Rights of an Apostle

Further Warning

Godlessness in The Last Days

The Guilt of Humankind

Romans 1:13-32

13 Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. 17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 21 Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 28 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a ἀδόκιμος (reprobate, debased) mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. 1

The Rights of an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9:24

24 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. 26 So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; 27 but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be ἀδόκιμος disqualified.

Further Warning

2 Corinthians 13:5-8

5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, ἀδόκιμοί you fail to meet the test! 6 I hope you will find out that ἀδόκιμοί we have not failed. 7 But we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem ἀδόκιμος to have failed {the test}. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9

Godlessness in The Last Days

2 Timothy 3:1-8

1 But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. 6 For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, ἀδόκιμος reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. 2

1. New Revised Standard Version

2. World English Bible

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