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Comparing Teachings with Scripture for Biblical Accuracy

The practice of comparing teachings with Scripture for biblical accuracy is rooted in the understanding that the Bible is divinely inspired and serves as the ultimate authority for faith and life [10, 14]. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in 2 Timothy 3:16, stating that "Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness" [10]. This means that Scripture is not merely human wisdom but originates from God's own speech [14].

The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to adhere to sound doctrine and to discern false teaching. Paul instructs Timothy that "If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion," such teaching is to be rejected [2]. Similarly, Titus is told to ensure his "words be in agreement with true and right teaching" [5]. This highlights the importance of aligning all instruction with the established truth found in Christ's words and the teaching consistent with genuine faith.

The concept of "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:13 [13]. This phrase suggests a method of interpreting Scripture by using other parts of Scripture, allowing the Bible to illuminate itself [13]. This approach involves expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament by comparing it with the Gospel revealed by Jesus through the same Spirit, and conversely, illustrating Gospel mysteries by comparing them with Old Testament types [13]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, understood "searching the deep things of God" not as an indication of ignorance, but of accurate knowledge, emphasizing that all understanding comes from the Spirit [16].

The Bible itself provides examples of this comparative approach. Christ frequently sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them, as seen in Matthew 4:4, Mark 12:10, and John 7:42, and taught directly from them in Luke 24:27 [1]. The Old Testament is referred to as the "word of God," "word of Christ," and "word of truth" [1]. The practice of cross-referencing, where one passage is linked to others, demonstrates the interconnectedness of biblical themes and supports a holistic understanding of Scripture [3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11]. For instance, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides numerous cross-references for verses like Ephesians 1:17 and James 3:6, linking them to a wide array of other biblical texts [6, 7].

The diligence required in this process is akin to a "workman" who is "not to be ashamed," rightly handling the word of truth [17]. This involves careful study and earnest effort to present oneself as approved, tested by trial [17]. The goal is to know "the exact truth about the things you have been taught," as Luke states in his Gospel [8]. This pursuit of accuracy ensures that teachings are not based on "cunningly devised fables" but on the sure word of prophecy [12]. The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, and if those thoughts are vain, they are foolishness with God, underscoring the need for divine wisdom over human speculation [15].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  2. I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
  3. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.128.1 → 1Thess.4.1 (confidence: 12 votes)”
  4. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: 1Thess.4.3 → Ps.40.8 (confidence: 10 votes)”
  5. Titus “Titus 2:1 (BBE) — But let your words be in agreement with true and right teaching:”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:17 cross-references: Genesis 41:38, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 24:7, Psalms 24:10, Psalms 29:3, Proverbs 2:5, Isaiah 11:2, Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 10:1, Matthew 6:13, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 11:27, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 20:33, Luke 2:14, Luke 12:12, Luke 21:15, John 8:54, John 14:17, John 14:26, John 16:3, John 17:3, John 17:25, John 20:17, Acts 6:10, Acts 7:2, Romans 1:28, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:6, 2 Corinthians 12:1, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 3:5,”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “James 3:6 cross-references: Genesis 3:4, Leviticus 24:11, Numbers 25:2, Numbers 31:16, Deuteronomy 13:6, Judges 12:4, Judges 16:15, 1 Samuel 22:9, 2 Samuel 13:26, 2 Samuel 15:2, 2 Samuel 16:20, 2 Samuel 19:43, 1 Kings 21:5, 2 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 13:17, Psalms 64:3, Psalms 120:2, Psalms 140:3, Proverbs 1:10, Proverbs 6:19, Proverbs 7:5, Proverbs 7:21, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 16:27, Proverbs 26:20, Isaiah 30:27, Jeremiah 20:10, Jeremiah 28:16, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 12:24, Matthew 12:32, Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:15, Mark 7:20, Mark 14:55, Luke 16:24, Acts 5:3, Acts 6:13, Acts 20:30, Roman”
  8. Luke “Luke 1:4 (NASB) — so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”
  9. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: 1Thess.5.24 → Ps.138.2 (confidence: 15 votes)”
  10. 2 Timothy “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, -- 2 Timothy 3:16”
  11. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.34.1 → 2Thess.1.3 (confidence: 12 votes)”
  12. 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
  14. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
  15. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
  16. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: the deep things of God.” For the word “to search” is here indicative not of ignorance, but of accurate knowledge: it is the very same mode of speaking which he used even of God, saying, “He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit.” ( Rom. viii. 27 .) Then having spoken with exactness concerning the knowledge of the Spirit, and having pointed out that it is as fully equal to God’s knowledge, as the knowledge of a man itself to itself; and also, that we have learned all things from it and necessarily from it; he added, “whi”
  17. 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 2:15: Study--Greek, "Be earnest," or "diligent." to show--Greek, "present," as in Rom 12:1. thyself--as distinguished from those whom Timothy was to charge (Ti2 2:14). approved--tested by trial: opposed to "reprobate" (Tit 1:16). workman--alluding to Mat 20:1, &c. not to be ashamed--by his work not being "approved" (Phi 1:20). Contrast "deceitful workers" (Co2 11:13). rightly dividing--"rightly handling" [Vulgate]; "rightly administering" [ALFORD]; literally, cutting "straight" or "right": the metaphor being from a father or a steward (Co1 4:1”
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