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Grounding Examples in Biblical Principles and Values

Biblical principles and values serve as foundational elements for Christian life and thought, much like the physical foundations upon which structures are built [1]. The concept of a "foundation" in scripture refers to the lowest part of a building, providing stability and support, and is applied metaphorically to the earth, mountains, and even kingdoms [1, 6]. Spiritually, this idea extends to the core tenets of faith and conduct.

One central principle is the glorifying of God, which is commanded throughout scripture and is due to God for His holiness, mercy, faithfulness, and wondrous works [4]. Believers are obligated to glorify God, and this is accomplished by relying on His promises, praising Him, and performing all actions to His glory [4]. Christ Himself is presented as an example of glorifying God [4].

Sincerity is another key biblical value. Christ exemplified sincerity, as did His ministers [3]. This quality is contrasted with fleshly wisdom and should characterize various aspects of a believer's life, including love for God and Christ, service to God, faith, love for one another, and overall conduct [3]. The preaching of the gospel should also be marked by sincerity [3].

Resignation, understood as submission to God's will, is also presented as a biblical principle. Christ demonstrated this through His submission to the Father's will, even in the face of suffering and death [5]. Believers are commanded to exhibit resignation in submitting to God's will, His sovereignty, the prospect of death, and in times of loss or chastisement [5]. Motives for such resignation include God's greatness and His love [5].

Diligence and early rising are also highlighted as biblical values. Christ Himself set an example of early rising, as did many biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David, and Mary [2]. This practice is requisite for devotion, executing God's commands, and discharging daily duties, while its neglect can lead to poverty [2]. It also illustrates spiritual diligence [2].

The concept of "foundation" is crucial in understanding spiritual growth. As Calvin noted, while one must never abandon the foundation, continually laboring in "laying the foundation" would be unproductive [7]. The author of Hebrews similarly admonishes believers to move beyond the "first principles of the doctrine of Christ unto perfection," rather than repeatedly laying the foundation [10, 12]. These foundational principles include repentance from dead works, faith toward God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment [13]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, emphasizes that "other foundation can no man lay" than Christ, who is the foundation laid by God the Father [11]. Any attempts to build on other foundations, such as fleshly privileges or self-righteousness, are ultimately futile [11].

The stability of a believer's life is likened to a well-laid and firm foundation [9]. Paul encourages believers to be "grounded" or "founded" and "settled" in their faith, not easily moved away by false teachings [14]. This grounding respects the foundation upon which believers rest and their own steadfastness [14]. The materials built upon this foundation can vary, with some being valuable like "gold, silver, precious stones" for their worth, purity, and durability, while others may be less substantial [8].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — The world in general -- Ge 1:2. The dry land as divided from waters -- Ge 1:10. God Created. -- Ge 1:1; Ne 9:6. Laid the foundation of. -- Job 38:4; Ps 102:25. Formed. -- Ps 90:2. Spread abroad. -- Isa 42:5; 44:24. Suspended in space. -- Job 26:7. Supports. -- Ps 75:3. Establishes. -- Ps 78:69; 119:90. Enlightens. -- Ge 1:14-16; Jer 33:25. Waters. -- Ps 65:9; 147:8. Makes fruitful. -- Ge 1:11; 27:28. Inspects. -- Zec 4:10. Governs supremely. -- Job 34:13; Ps 135:6. Reigns in. -- Ex 8:22; Ps 97:1. Shall be exalted in. -- Ps 46:10. Is the Lord's -- Ex 9:”
  7. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6 (introduction): WARNING AGAINST RETROGRADING, WHICH SOON LEADS TO APOSTASY; ENCOURAGEMENT TO STEADFASTNESS FROM GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS WORD AND OATH. (Heb 6:1-14) Therefore--Wherefore: seeing that ye ought not now to be still "babes" (Heb 5:11-14). leaving--getting further forward than the elementary "principles." "As in building a house one must never leave the foundation: yet to be always laboring in 'laying the foundation' would be ridiculous" [CALVIN]. the principles of the doctrine--Greek, "the word of the beginning," that is, the discussion ”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:12: Now if any man build upon this foundation,.... The different materials laid by one and the same man, on this foundation, or the different doctrines advanced upon it, are some of them comparable to gold, silver, precious stones; for their intrinsic worth and value; for the purity and sincerity of them; for their weight, importance, solidity, and substantiality; for their durableness; for the great esteem they are had in by those, who know the worth of them; and for the great usefulness they are of unto them, being rich in themselves, and enriching to them; and”
  9. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 10:25: (Compare Psa 1:4; Psa 37:9-10, Psa 37:36). righteous . . . foundation--well laid and firm (Mat 7:24-25).”
  10. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 6 (introduction): We must proceed from the first principles of the doctrine of Christ unto perfection, and not lay the foundation a second time, Heb 6:1-3. Those who were once enlightened, and have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost and the various blessings of the Gospel, if they apostatize from Christ, and finally reject him as their Savior, cannot be renewed again to repentance, Heb 6:4-6. The double similitude of the ground blessed of God, and bearing fruit; and of that ground which is cursed of God, and bears briers and thorns, Heb 6:7, Heb 6:8. The apostle's con”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay,.... Men may attempt to lay other foundations than Christ, and build upon them, but to no purpose; they will be of no avail; all besides him are sandy foundations; such as fleshly privileges, a carnal descent, a religious education, an external profession of religion, a man's own righteousness, and the absolute mercy of God; but men ought to lay no other, nor can they, that will be of any advantage to themselves or others: than that which is laid; by Jehovah the Father, both in his eternal counsels and covenant, when he set”
  12. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 5:12: for the time--considering the long time that you have been Christians. Therefore this Epistle was not one of those written early. which be the first principles--Greek, "the rudiments of the beginning of." A Pauline phrase (see on Gal 4:3; Gal 4:9). Ye need not only to be taught the first elements, but also "which they be." They are therefore enumerated Heb 6:1-2 [BENGEL]. ALFORD translates, "That someone teach you the rudiments"; but the position of the Greek, "tina," inclines me to take it interrogatively, "which," as English Version, Syriac, Vulga”
  13. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 6:1: We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews - that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their hearts, a”
  14. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:23: If--"Assuming that," &c.: not otherwise shall ye be so presented at His appearing (Col 1:22). grounded--Greek, "founded," "fixed on the foundation" (compare Note, see on Eph 3:17; Luk 6:48-49). settled--"steadfast." "Grounded" respects the foundation on which believers rest; "settled," their own steadfastness (Pe1 5:10). Co1 15:58 has the same Greek. not moved away--by the false teachers. the hope of the gospel-- (Eph 1:18). which ye have heard . . . which was preached to every creature . . . whereof I . . . am . . . a minister--Three arg”
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