Gr. adokimoi, literally, “test failers.” Failure to pass the test was evidence that Christ was not in them and that they were not genuine Christians.

 Beginning with v. 5, Paul directs the focus of attention away from himself and challenges the Corinthians to turn a critical eye upon themselves. Are they genuine Christians? Every follower of Christ can profitably examine his own life each day. If we would be more critical of ourselves, we would be less critical of others.

 In Greek this word stands in the emphatic position, as if Paul said, “It is yourselves you are to examine.” The second clause would similarly read, “It is your own selves you are to prove.” Many of the Corinthians were more ready to sit in judgment upon others than upon themselves (see 1 Cor. 11:31, 32; cf. Gal. 6:4). Before they are competent to judge others, men must put themselves to the test. The test we apply to others we should be willing to have applied to ourselves (see on Matt. 7:1-5). The beam must be removed from our own eyes. Men are generally disposed to take too favorable a view of themselves, of their own character, and of their own importance. They usually shrink from self-examination lest they discover that they are not all they may wish they were. Few men can endure seeing themselves as they really are. The sight is often too disturbing to their ego. Without the remedy of divine love and forgiveness such personal revelations may drive men to distraction, and even suicide. Rather than face themselves as they really are, they focus on the faults of others. Doing so, they lose sight of their own faults and they succeed in convincing themselves that they are far better than other men. Compare on 2 Cor. 10:12. For comment on steps that may appropriately follow self-examination see on ch. 7:9-11.

 Not in a doctrinal, but in a practical, sense. Paul refers to a deep conviction with respect to one’s personal relationship to God, to trust and holy fervor born of faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour. Many nominal Christians think it sufficient to test themselves on points of secondary importance such as church membership, church attendance, tithes and offerings, and Sabbath observance. To be sure, these are not to be neglected. But there are even weightier matters that demand consideration (see on Micah 6:8; Matt. 19:16-22; 23:23). Things that are of major consequence include personal experience with the saving, transforming grace of Christ, absolute loyalty to all the revealed will of God, sincerity of motives, and a selfless interest in, and service for, one’s fellow men.

 Gr. dokimazō, “to test,” “to scrutinize closely.” This is a much stronger word than “examine.” Dokimazō is used of assaying gold and silver (cf. Job 23:10).

 That is, living out the principles of His perfect life in your lives (see on Rom. 8:3, 4; Gal. 2:20).