Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To show to be real or true; to prove. 2. (v. t.) To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically. 3. (v. t.) To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial. 4. (v. t.) To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration. 5. (v. t.) To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance. 6. (v. t.) To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; -- said esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia APPROVE a-proov': This word, as ordinarily used, means "to entertain a favorable opinion concerning" (Psalm 49:13 Lamentations 3:36). Its Biblical and archaic use conveys a much stronger meaning and is equivalent to its use in legal formalities of today, "to approve a bill," i.e. by some act, generally a signature, to express approval. In New Testament, a number of times, for Greek dokimazo, "to test, try, make proof of," and its derivative, dokimos, "tested," "tried." The word will, in almost every ease, imply that the proof is victoriously demonstrated, the proved is also approved, just as in English we speak of "tried men" (Trench, Greek Synonyms of New Testament). It is the word most frequently used for the testing of ores. That which does not stand the test is adokimos, "reprobate." Compare Jeremiah 6:30 King James Version: "reprobate silver." That which stands the test is dokimos, "approved." "Salute Apelles the approved in Christ" (Romans 16:10); "they that are approved" (1 Corinthians 11:19); "Present thyself approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15); when he hath been "approved" (James 1:12). See also Romans 14:18, 22 1 Thessalonians 2:4. H. E. Jacobs

Multi-Version Concordance Approve (14 Occurrences) Matthew 17:4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we are thankful to you that we are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (WEY) Luke 11:48 It follows that you bear testimony to the actions of your forefathers and that you fully approve thereof. They slew, you build. (WEY NAS NIV) Romans 1:28 And, according as they did not approve of having God in knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mind, to do the things not seemly; (YLT) Romans 1:32 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. (WEB RSV NIV) Romans 2:18 and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Romans 12:2 Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. (See NIV) Romans 14:22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in that which he approves. (Root in WEB ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Corinthians 16:3 When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (Root in KJV ASV WBS YLT) Philippians 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV) 1 Samuel 29:6 "For Yahweh has driven great and strong nations out from before you. But as for you, no man has stood before you to this day. (See RSV NIV) Psalms 49:13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS NIV) Lamentations 3:36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord doesn't approve. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV) Hosea 8:4 They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn't approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off. (WEB)