adokimos describes persons or things that do not stand up under testing and are treated as unsuitable or rejected.

The term most often marks people who fail an examination or prove unacceptable in relation to faith, truth, conduct, or ministry. It also describes a mind given over to what is not fitting and land that produces thorns and thistles rather than a useful crop.

1. Failing examination or proving unacceptable · dominant

   In 2 Corinthians 13:5 the plural nominative form occurs in the call to examine and test yourselves, where the APB renders the outcome as "fail the test." In 2 Corinthians 13:6 and 2 Corinthians 13:7 the same plural form contrasts Paul and his companions with seeming to fail the test; 1 Corinthians 9:27 applies the singular nominative form to Paul himself after preaching to others. In 2 Timothy 3:8, opponents of the truth are described in connection with minds that have been depraved and failure concerning the faith.

   2 Corinthians 13:52 Corinthians 13:62 Corinthians 13:71 Corinthians 9:272 Timothy 3:8
2. Unsuitable for what is fitting or productive · common

   In Romans 1:28 the accusative singular form modifies "mind" in the clause where God gives people up to a depraved mind for doing what is not fitting. In Titus 1:16 the plural nominative form stands with detestable and disobedient people, and the APB renders the clause "unfit for any good work." In Hebrews 6:8 the singular feminine form describes land bearing thorns and thistles, rendered "worthless" and headed toward burning.

   Romans 1:28Titus 1:16Hebrews 6:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term with "disqualified," "fail the test," "failing the test," "fail concerning the faith," "worthless," "depraved," and "unfit." These are renderings of whole clauses to the Greek term.