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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” (Galatians 6.4).
Our focus today will be on Paul’s commandment for believers to examine their own work. There is, as always, a context in which this command was given; the reader is strongly encouraged to consider this context as he/she seeks to fully understand and apply this verse to real-life situations. Our study today will primarily be a “word study” focused on the key verb, “examine.”
First, it is noteworthy that every word in Galatians 6.4 which has “number” inherent in it is singular as opposed to plural. The focus demanded by the verse is entirely upon the individual’s responsibility to self and to God as opposed to responsibility to others. This does not in any way take away from duties that we have to fellow believers or to unbelievers; it is just the focus of the verse.
Secondly, the word “examine” (Gr. dokimazo from dokimos) is an interesting word. Its literal meaning has to do with endeavoring to determine the purity, and hence worth, of precious metal. In other words, it is similar in meaning to our word “assay.” I know from watching western programs and movies as a kid, the importance of the “assayer” and the “assay office.” The value of a miner’s claim was completely dependent upon the assay report. All too often a miner’s dreams were shattered by a report that indicated the worthlessness of his “strike.” This quest for ore of value gave rise to the phrase “fool’s gold,” its meaning being all too obvious in this setting.
Hence, the admonition by Paul in our focus verse is one of great importance; it charges each believer to “assay” his own work to make doubly sure of its worth. Far from being a subjective evaluation of ones self-worth, it is just the opposite; it implies the application of an objective standard against which such moral, ethical, and spiritual traits are compared. We can know this from other of Paul’s writings which declare the foolishness of measuring ourselves by our selves and comparing ourselves among our selves (see 2 Corinthians 10.12). Like the assayer’s report, the valuation of the ore is not dependent upon the assayer; it is independent of the one doing the test because it is measured against a standard not given to change or fluctuation. The only standard by which man’s work can be evaluated is God’s word; it is the standard for time as well as eternity (see John 12.48)!
There is an oft quoted statement attributed to the late Donald Barnhouse of the early 20th century which deals with the word “examine” and how it is used in this as well as other texts. It is quoted here in its entirety: “In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called dokimos or approved.”
Self-examination of one’s true worth against God’s gold standard (His word) is an important and sometimes painful experience. It reveals the beauty of faith as well as the ugliness of sin and selfishness. The mirror of God’s word (James 1.23-24) is of value only when we look into it and rearrange our lives such that the reflection is one pleasing to God and hence to self!
Questions:
1. Why must each man examine his own work? Why is this not our job to judge others first?
2. How do we know that Paul is not here commending self evaluation by subjective standards?
3. What value is a mirror if we do not use it, or after using it, we go away without correcting the things in our appearance that need attention?
4. Does the requirement to evaluate self absolutely and in every circumstance prohibit the practice of examining others? Why or why not?
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