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Prioritizing Scripture in Teaching and Illustration

The prioritization of Scripture in teaching and illustration is a foundational principle in Christian thought, rooted in the belief that "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 NASB) [5]. This divine inspiration means Scripture is "God-breathed," affirming God's full responsibility for its content while acknowledging the active involvement of human authors [10].

Scripture is consistently presented as the authoritative source for instruction and spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to "pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching" until his arrival, indicating the public reading and exposition of Scripture as a central practice in the early church [4, 8]. This practice was a continuation of the Jewish synagogue tradition, where the reading of the Law and Prophets was customary [8]. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them, teaching from them, and referring to them as "the Word of God" [1].

The Bible is described with various titles emphasizing its divine origin and purpose, such as "the Word of God," "the Word of Christ," "the Word of truth," and "Holy Scriptures" [1]. These descriptions underscore its unique status as a revelation from God. The Geneva Bible's translation of 2 Timothy 3:16 states that "the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teache, to conuince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse" [3]. This verse highlights the comprehensive utility of Scripture for all aspects of Christian life and doctrine.

Teaching from Scripture involves not only conveying its content but also illustrating its truths. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14 suggests that prophecy, which is superior to speaking in tongues, includes "explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting" them forth [7]. This implies that effective teaching goes beyond mere recitation to include clarification and application. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 119:125, describes God's testimonies (Scriptures) as "wonderful" because they testify of God, contain marvelous events of Providence, and declare surprising miracles [11]. These elements provide rich material for illustration in teaching.

The importance of Scripture extends to the instruction of children. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that "good children" know the Scriptures and are instructed in the ways of God [2, 6]. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the house of God early and to train them judiciously [6]. This emphasis on early scriptural instruction reflects the understanding that the Bible is essential for shaping character and fostering obedience to God [2, 6].

The efficacy of grace, as discussed by Calvin in his commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians, suggests that while God works effectively in the elect, human beings still need to be "stirred up by exhortations" [9]. These exhortations are drawn from God's commands, which are found in Scripture. Therefore, teaching and illustrating from Scripture serve as a means by which God's inward work is complemented by outward instruction.

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. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
  3. II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teache, to conuince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse,”
  4. 1 Timothy “Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. -- 1 Timothy 4:13”
  5. 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) — All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): SUPERIORITY OF PROPHECY OVER TONGUES. (1Co. 14:1-25) Follow after charity--as your first and chief aim, seeing that it is "the greatest" (Co1 13:13). and desire--Translate, "Yet (as a secondary aim) desire zealously (see on Co1 12:31) spiritual gifts." but rather--"but chiefly that ye may prophesy" (speak and exhort under inspiration) (Pro 29:18; Act 13:1; Th1 5:20), whether as to future events, that is, strict prophecy, or explaining obscure parts of Scripture, especially the prophetical Scriptures or illustrating and setting ”
  8. 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”
  9. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 67.5: the efficacy of grace, and extol the powers of free will, reason on false grounds. For although God works efficaciously in his elect, and does not merely present the light to them, but causes them to see, opens the eyes of their heart, and keeps them open, yet as the flesh is always inclined to indolence, it has need of being stirred up by exhortations. But what God commands by Paul’s mouth, He himself accomplishes inwardly. In the mean time, it is our part to ask from the Lord, that he would furnish oil to the lam”
  10. 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”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
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