Expounding on Earthly Analogies for Spiritual Truth
The Bible frequently employs earthly analogies to communicate spiritual truths, recognizing that human understanding often grasps abstract concepts through concrete comparisons. This method is evident throughout scripture, from the Psalms to the teachings of Jesus and the Epistles.
One foundational principle for understanding spiritual truth through earthly means is found in Psalm 85:11, which states, "Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven" [1]. This verse suggests a connection between the tangible world and divine realities, implying that earthly observations can serve as a conduit for spiritual insight.
Jesus frequently utilized parables, which are stories that draw an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth [7]. For instance, the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9) uses the familiar act of planting seeds to illustrate the varied responses to Jesus' message [7]. To properly understand these parables, it is necessary to identify the central analogy, consider its historical context, and interpret it within the broader Gospel narrative, rather than seeking allegorical meanings in every detail [7].
The Apostle Paul also engaged with earthly analogies, particularly when discussing complex spiritual concepts like the resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15, he compares the differing glories of the sun, moon, and stars to explain the transformation of bodies in the resurrection [8]. This analogy is not primarily intended to suggest varying degrees of glory among the resurrected, but rather to demonstrate that just as celestial bodies, though similar in appearance, possess distinct glories, so too will resurrection bodies differ from present bodies while still remaining bodies [8]. Paul further elaborates on this by contrasting the "earthly man" (Adam) with the "heavenly man" (Christ), explaining that just as we currently bear the image of the earthly, we will one day bear the image of the heavenly, experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies [9].
The communication of spiritual truth, however, is not merely a rational exercise; it requires the dimension and power of the Holy Spirit [3]. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 2:13, stating that spiritual truths are communicated "using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths" [3]. This implies that the understanding and articulation of divine matters are guided by the Spirit, distinguishing them from human wisdom [3]. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, notes that the Spirit's ability to search and know the "deep things of God" is indicative of accurate and complete knowledge, comparable to God's own knowledge [2]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on 1 Corinthians 2:13 further clarifies that this involves both knowing by the Holy Spirit and speaking the things freely given by God, often by "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [4]. This can involve expounding Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture by comparing it with the Gospel revealed by the same Spirit, and vice versa, illustrating Gospel mysteries through Old Testament types [4].
It is crucial to distinguish between wisdom that "descends from above" and wisdom that is merely "earthly." James 3:15 describes a wisdom that "descendeth not from above," contrasting it with the true illumination and wisdom that comes from the "Father of lights" through the "Spirit of truth" [5]. This earthly wisdom is characterized as "sensual" or "animal-like," belonging to the "natural man" who lacks the Spirit, and can even be "devilish" in its origin [5]. This highlights that not all forms of understanding derived from earthly observations are aligned with divine truth; discernment is necessary.
The human experience, with its "grim realities" such as death, oppression, and loneliness, also serves as a backdrop against which spiritual truths are understood [6]. The book of Ecclesiastes, for instance, confronts these depressing descriptions head-on, incorporating them into realistic conclusions about existence [6]. These experiences remind humanity of the consequences of the Fall in Eden, providing a context for the need for spiritual redemption and hope [6].
Sources
- Psalms “Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. -- Psalms 85:11”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 2:13: 2:13 using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths: Just as spiritual wisdom is different from human wisdom, so the way spiritual wisdom is taught must be different from the way human wisdom is taught. The communicating and learning of spiritual truth must be done in the dimension and power of the Spirit; it is not simply a rational, human exercise.”
- 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:”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 3:15: This wisdom--in which ye "glory," as if ye were "wise" (Jam 3:13-14). descendeth not from above--literally, "is not one descending," &c.: "from the Father of lights" (true illumination and wisdom), Jam 1:17; through "the Spirit of truth," Joh 15:26. earthly--opposed to heavenly. Distinct from "earthy," Co1 15:47. Earthly is what is IN the earth; earthy, what is of the earth. sensual--literally, "animal-like": the wisdom of the "natural" (the same Greek) man, not born again of God; "not having the Spirit" (Jde 1:19). devilish--in its origin (from”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 1:13: 1:13 God has dealt a tragic existence: The grim realities of human experience remind us of the Fall in Eden (Gen 3). Ecclesiastes does not dodge depressing descriptions of death, oppression, and loneliness; it meets them head-on and incorporates them into realistic conclusions.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:41: one glory of . . . sun . . . another . . . of . . . moon--The analogy is not to prove different degrees of glory among the blessed (whether this may be, or not, indirectly hinted at), but this: As the various fountains of light, which is so similar in its aspect and properties, differ (the sun from the moon, and the moon from the stars; and even one star from another star, though all seem so much alike); so there is nothing unreasonable in the doctrine that our present bodies differ from our resurrection bodies, though still continuing bodies. ”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:49: 15:49 Like the earthly man, Adam, we have physical bodies in this life. But we will someday be like Christ, the heavenly man, experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies (cp. Rom 6:4-14).”