maas. God's ancient people in their condition of moral debasement are compared to 'reprobate silver,' or 'refuse silver' as in the margin, Jeremiah 6:30; or, as is read in Isaiah 1:22 , 'thy silver is become dross,' rejected.

In the N.T. the word is ἀδόκιμος, 'disapproved,' and is applied to the wicked, and to those also who having engaged in the race fail to reach the goal. Romans 1:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5-7; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:16 . The same word is translated 'rejected,' and is descriptive of such as, in spite of gracious ministry, produce only that which is natural to fallen man. Hebrews 6:8 . It is also translated 'castaway' in 1 Corinthians 9:27 , where the apostle Paul represents himself as keeping under his body, and bringing it into subjection, lest having preached to others he himself should be rejected. This appears to indicate the possibility of a man, after having preached the gospel to others, being himself disapproved; failing to reach the goal through lack of self-discipline.