Avoiding Unbiblical Allegories and Examples in Biblical Interpretation

Biblical interpretation sometimes employs allegories and examples to convey spiritual truths, but interpreters must exercise caution to avoid unbiblical applications. An allegory is a figure of speech where a representation of one thing is intended to excite the representation of another, carrying both an immediate, historical sense and an ultimate, signified meaning ^[1]. While the Bible itself uses allegorical language, as seen in Galatians 4:24 where Paul allegorizes the history of Isaac and Ishmael, or in Nathan's address to David (2 Samuel 12:1-4), not all allegorical interpretations are biblically sound ^[4].

The New Testament warns against "myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith" (1 Timothy 1:4 LEB) ^[2]. This caution extends to "profane and old wives' fables" (1 Timothy 4:7), which John Gill interprets as referring to Jewish traditions or Gnostic teachings that are "impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent" ^[7]. Adam Clarke similarly suggests these fables could refer to the "ridiculous and profane fables" found in Talmudic writings or the legends of the Roman Catholic Church ^[10]. Such warnings highlight the need to distinguish between legitimate biblical examples and speculative, ungrounded allegories.

Examples, unlike allegories, are typically direct illustrations or models for behavior or understanding. The Bible presents Christ as an example (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15), as well as pastors to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) ^[6]. The experiences of the Jews serve as a warning (Hebrews 4:11), and the prophets are examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) ^[6]. These examples are presented as straightforward lessons derived from historical events or the lives of individuals.

The danger arises when interpreters impose allegorical meanings onto texts that are intended to be understood literally or historically, or when they create allegories that lead to "divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9) ^[11]. Such doctrines can be varied and numerous, contrasting with the singular, uniform doctrine of Scripture ^[11]. For instance, the command in Exodus 23:13 to "make no mention of the name of other gods" is interpreted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown as a caution against familiar use in common conversation, which could lessen the horror of idolatry, rather than an allegorical command ^[8]. Similarly, Ezekiel 16:43, which speaks of Israel's "lewdness" and "abominations," is understood as referring to spiritual unchastity or idolatry, a wickedness "peculiarly hateful to God," rather than a symbolic representation of something else ^[9].

The emphasis in biblical interpretation should be on understanding the plain sense of the text first, allowing for figurative language where the text itself indicates it, such as in parables or explicit allegories ^[4]. The goal is to avoid interpretations that lead to "useless speculations" (1 Timothy 1:4) ^[2] or "strife" arising from "curious questions" (1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23) ^[5]. Instead, the focus should remain on "God’s plan that is by faith" (1 Timothy 1:4) ^[2]. The principle of avoiding false charges and not killing the innocent and righteous (Exodus 23:7) can be extended to interpretation, ensuring that the meaning derived from the text is not a "false charge" against its intended message ^[3].

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (LEB) — and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith.”
Exodus ““Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous: for I will not justify the wicked. -- Exodus 23:7”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to th”
Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 23:13: make no mention of the name of other gods, &c.--that is, in common conversation, for a familiar use of them would tend to lessen horror of idolatry.”
Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 16:43: (Eze 16:22; Psa 78:42). In gratitude for God's favors to her in her early history. fretted me-- (Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30). thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations--that is, this the wickedness (compare Zac 5:8), peculiarly hateful to God, namely, spiritual unchastity or idolatry, over and "above" (that is, besides) all thine other abominations. I will put it out of thy power to commit it by cutting thee off. FAIRBAIRN translates, "I will not do what is scandalous (namely, encouraging thee in thy sin by letting it pass with im”
1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables - This seems to refer particularly to the Jews, whose Talmudical writings are stuffed with the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect. It may with equal propriety be applied to the legends of the Romish Church. Let any man read the Aurea Legenda, and he will find of profane and old wives' fables what may stand, with considerable propriety, column for column with the Talmud. See Joseline's Life of St. Patrick for miracles, without rhyme or reason, abundantly more numerous and more stupendo”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”

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