Reprobate is a word you do not hear outside Christian circles. Even within Christianity, it is used much less today than in previous generations.

When used in a Christian context, the word reprobate has the sense of–– “(of God) to reject (a person), as for sin; exclude from the number of the elect or from salvation” (Dictionary.com). Collins online dictionary online says, “Theology: to damn.” In other words, the reprobate are the unsaved, or even the especially wicked unsaved.

The word reprobate does not occur in most English translations. However, the KJV uses it six times in the NT (Rom 1:28; 2 Cor 13:5, 6, 7; 2 Tim 3:8; Titus 1:16).

The Greek word that the KJV translates as reprobate is adokimos. It occurs eight times in the NT. We will briefly consider five of those in part one and the other three in part two.

Romans 1:28. “God gave them over to a reprobate mind” (KJV, WEB. DARBY). Most other versions translate adokimos here as either “a depraved mind” (e.g., NASB, NIV, NET) or as “a debased mind” (e.g., NKJV, LEB, MEV; cf. RSV).ⁱ The idea here is that God gave them over to a mindset disapproved by God. It is a mindset that is bad for people. Hodges translates this as “a debased mind” (Romans, p. 49).

Most commentators think Paul is discussing unbelievers here. However, he is discussing anyone who ceases to keep God in his thinking, including believers.

1 Corinthians 9:27. “… lest ... when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (KJV). Most versions translate adokimos here as disqualified (CEB, ESV, HCSB, LEB, MEV, NASB, NET, NIV, RSV, WEB). Paul’s concern is well expressed by Hunt: “The apostle did not fear the loss of eternal life. He feared not having His Lord’s approval at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and not having the privilege of ruling with Christ which will come to all who have His approval (cf. Luke 19:17; 1 Cor 9:25)” (“1 Corinthians” in TGNTC, p. 741).

The KJV translation of a castaway is confusing at best and suggests loss of everlasting life at worst. Paul did not fear losing everlasting life. He knew that was impossible.

2 Corinthians 13:5, 6, 7. The KJV translates adokimos as reprobates in all three verses.

Verses 5-7 are properly understood only if one first reads verses 1-4. Some of the believers in Corinth were doubting that Paul spoke for God and was approved by Him. Paul turns the tables on them in verses 5-7. Instead of examining whether he was approved by God, they should examine whether they were approved. Lowery comments,

Paul’s question is usually construed with regard to positional justification: were they Christians or not? But it more likely concerned practical sanctification: did they demonstrate that they were in the faith (cf. 1 Cor. 16:13) and that Christ was in them by their obeying His will? (“1 Corinthians” in BKC, p. 584).

These five verses show that reprobate is a bad translation for adokimos. The better translation is disapproved, or in some cases, debased or rejected.

In part two, we will consider the other three verses in which adokimos is used.

ⁱ The HCSB reads “a worthless mind.”