Avoiding Self-Glorification in Sermon Illustrations from History

Paul's declaration "It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory" ^[3] establishes a foundational tension for Christian communicators: the necessity of testimony against the danger of self-promotion. When preachers draw on historical examples—whether from church history, biography, or their own experience—they navigate this same tension, risking the very self-glorification they are called to renounce.

The Biblical Prohibition

Scripture consistently warns against vainglory. Paul writes, "Let us not be full of self-glory, making one another angry, having envy of one another" ^[2]. The apostle's own practice demonstrates restraint even when recounting spiritual experiences: "It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable, but I will proceed to visions and revelations of the Lord" ^[1]. His reluctance is instructive. Even when compelled to defend his apostolic authority, Paul frames his account as "not expedient" ^[3], acknowledging that such self-reference, though sometimes unavoidable, carries inherent spiritual risk.

John Gill observes that Paul's statement "we commend not ourselves again to you" was meant to "give you occasion to glory on our behalf" rather than to promote himself ^[6]. The apostle's concern was to equip the Corinthians to answer false teachers "which glory in appearance, and not in heart" ^[6]—those whose self-promotion was merely external show. This distinction between necessary self-reference and vainglorious display remains crucial for preachers using historical illustrations.

The Danger of Comparative Boasting

When preachers illustrate from history, they often implicitly position themselves within a narrative of faithfulness. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown note that true self-examination means having "his (matter for) glorying in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another (namely, not in regard to his neighbor, by comparing himself with whom, he has fancied he has matter for boasting as that neighbor's superior)" ^[7]. The preacher who recounts the courage of Reformers or the devotion of missionaries may subtly invite comparison—either elevating himself by association or diminishing contemporary believers by contrast.

Gill reinforces this when he writes that one should "not concern himself about the actions and works of others; let him review his own heart and actions" ^[9]. Historical illustrations can become vehicles for implicit censure, where the preacher's knowledge of exemplary figures functions as a claim to superior discernment or spiritual sensitivity.

Christ's Example and Ministerial Self-Denial

The pattern of Christ's ministry offers the corrective. Torrey's compilation notes that "Christ set an example of" self-denial in refusing worldly glory and living without self-promotion ^[4]. Ministers are "especially called to exercise" this same discipline ^[4]. Humility is "necessary to the service of God" ^[5], and those who practice it "are heard by God" and "exalted by God" ^[5]. The preacher's task is not to secure his own reputation through learned references or impressive historical knowledge, but to direct attention toward God's work in history.

John Chrysostom's treatment of David's humility before Absalom illustrates this principle: "Absalom exalted himself, David humbled himself; which of the twain was raised up, which became glorious?" ^[10]. The preacher who recounts such stories must embody the humility he commends, not merely display erudition about it.

Practical Safeguards

Gill's commentary on John 8:47 provides a model: Christ "was not over solicitous of his own character, and of retrieving his honour, and of securing glory from man; he knew that Wisdom was justified of her children, and he committed himself to God that judgeth righteously" ^[12]. The preacher using historical illustrations should ask whether the example serves the text and congregation, or whether it serves to establish his own learning or spiritual pedigree.

Matthew Henry's note that we must "give glory to God, and not to ourselves" ^[8] applies directly to sermon construction. Historical illustrations should function as windows to divine action, not mirrors reflecting the preacher's breadth of reading. The test is whether the congregation leaves marveling at God's faithfulness through history or impressed by the preacher's command of that history. When Paul wrote "we ourselves glory in you," Gill clarifies that he gloried "not as of themselves, or as owing to us" but as evidence of God's grace ^[11]. Historical examples should similarly point beyond both the historical figure and the preacher to the God who works through frail instruments across centuries.

Sources

II Corinthians “II Corinthians 12:1 (LEB) — It is necessary to boast; it is not profitable, but I will proceed to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
Galatians “Galatians 5:26 (BBE) — Let us not be full of self-glory, making one another angry, having envy of one another.”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 12:1 — It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 5:11: For we commend not ourselves again to you,.... We have no need to do so, being well known to you; nor do we intend it when we thus speak of ourselves, and of our ministrations: but give you occasion to glory on our behalf; suggest some things to you which you may make use of in our favour, for the vindicating of our characters and conduct: that you may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart; by whom are meant the false apostles who gloried in an outward show, in their learning, eloquence, and popular applause they had acqui”
Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 6:4: his own work--not merely his own opinion of himself. have rejoicing in himself alone--Translate, "Have his (matter for) glorying in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another (namely, not in regard to his neighbor, by comparing himself with whom, he has fancied he has matter for boasting as that neighbor's superior)." Not that really a man by looking to "himself alone" is likely to find cause for glorying in himself. Nay, in Gal 6:5, he speaks of a "burden" or load, not of matter for glorying, as what really belongs to each man. But he r”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 115 (introduction): Many ancient translations join this psalm to that which goes next before it, the Septuagint particularly, and the vulgar Latin; but it is, in the Hebrew, a distinct psalm. In it we are taught to give glory, I. To God, and not to ourselves (Psa 115:1). II. To God, and not to idols (Psa 115:2-8). We must give glory to God, 1. By trusting in him, and in his promise and blessing (Psa 115:9-15). 2. By blessing him (Psa 115:16-18). Some think this psalm was penned upon occasion of some great distress and trouble that the church of God was in, when the enem”
Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:4: But let every man prove his own work,.... Not concern himself about the actions and works of others; let him review his own heart and actions; let him examine, try, and prove his whole conduct in life by the rule of God's word, when he will find enough at home, without bearing hard upon, and censuring others: and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another; which is either ironically said, he will then see what reason he has to rejoice and glory in his own works, and vaunt over others, and to boast of his performances, and despise others; so ”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: execute judgment. did he not hold him up to scorn? held he not his head bruised under his feet? did he not with much boldness beg of God that others too might do the same? Why am I saying? Absalom exalted himself, David humbled himself; which of the twain was raised up, which became glorious? For what could be a more evident proof of humility than these words which that blessed Prophet spoke of Shimei, “Let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him.” ( 2 Sam. xvi. 11 .) And if you please, we will examine the very cases themselves. ”
2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 1:4: So that we ourselves glory in you,.... Or "of you"; for though they were the subject concerning which, yet not the object in which they gloried; the apostle elsewhere advises not to glory in men, but only in the Lord; nor was this his practice contrary to his advice, for he did not boast of these persons with respect to their carnal things; he did not glory in their flesh, nor in their riches, nor wisdom, nor strength, nor any external gift; he gloried indeed of their graces, and of the exercise and increase of them; but of these not as of themselves, or as ow”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 8:47: I seek not mine own glory,.... In his doctrine, or in his miracles; which showed that he was no impostor, but a true, faithful, and upright person; and though he was so very much reproached and abused, he was not over solicitous of his own character, and of retrieving his honour, and of securing glory from man; he knew that Wisdom was justified of her children, and he committed himself to God that judgeth righteously, who would take care of his glory, and vindicate him from all the unjust charges and insults of men: there is one that seeketh and judgeth; meaning God h”

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