Distinguishing Between Biblical Examples and Doctrine in Scripture
Distinguishing Between Biblical Examples and Doctrine in Scripture
The Bible contains various literary forms, including historical narratives, parables, and teachings that convey doctrine. Understanding the distinction between biblical examples and doctrine is crucial for interpreting Scripture accurately.
Biblical examples are instances or events recorded in the Bible that serve as illustrations or precedents for certain behaviors, attitudes, or consequences. These examples can be found in historical narratives, biographical accounts, or parables. For instance, the parables of Jesus are considered examples that convey spiritual truths [1]. The Bible also provides examples of individuals who demonstrated faith, obedience, or perseverance, such as the prophets, who are cited as examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) [2].
In contrast, doctrine refers to the teachings or principles derived from Scripture that guide Christian belief and practice. Doctrine is often explicitly stated in the form of commands, exhortations, or explanations. The Bible itself distinguishes between doctrine and examples, as seen in the warning against being "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9) [3]. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of adhering to sound doctrine, contrasting it with "fables and endless genealogies" (1 Timothy 1:4) [8].
The distinction between examples and doctrine is not always clear-cut. Some passages may contain both illustrative examples and doctrinal teachings. For example, the account of the Israelites' disobedience in the wilderness serves as a warning against unbelief (Hebrews 4:11), illustrating a doctrinal principle [2]. Similarly, Jesus' teachings often used examples or parables to convey deeper spiritual truths.
To distinguish between biblical examples and doctrine, interpreters must consider the context, literary form, and purpose of the passage. The historical and cultural setting, as well as the author's intent, are essential factors in determining whether a passage is conveying doctrine or providing an example. The early Christian church recognized the importance of Scripture in shaping doctrine, as seen in the practice of reading Scripture in public worship (1 Timothy 4:13) [5].
The distinction between biblical examples and doctrine has implications for Christian theology and practice. By understanding the different ways in which Scripture conveys truth, believers can more accurately interpret and apply biblical teachings to their lives.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary, emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between doctrine and examples, highlighting the need to derive doctrine from clear and explicit teachings of Scripture [4, 6]. Similarly, the Presbyterian tradition, as seen in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary, notes the importance of understanding the context and literary form of Scripture in interpreting doctrine [7, 9].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
- 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).”
- 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”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 4:2: For I give you good doctrine,.... Whose author, matter, use, and tendency, are good, and therefore should be received; so the Gospel is called, Ti1 4:6; and no other is here meant: it is the doctrine concerning Wisdom or Christ, as the following verses show; which serves to exalt him, and makes for the good and welfare of immortal souls; and such is the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ and his apostles, even all the doctrines and truths of the Gospel; forsake you not my law; or "doctrine" (o); not the law given on Mount Sinai, as Gersom interprets it; but the ”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”