Using Biblical Analogies and Examples in Preaching
Christ's own teaching method establishes the pattern: He spoke in parables, placing earthly realities beside heavenly truths to illuminate divine mysteries [1, 3]. The Greek parabole means "a placing beside," a comparison that ranges from brief proverbs to extended allegories [1]. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew mashal encompassed proverbs, prophetic utterances, and enigmatic sayings [3], and God declared through Hosea, "I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables" [5, 7]. This divine precedent grounds the preacher's use of analogies and examples in proclamation.
The Function of Biblical Examples
Scripture itself employs examples to instruct and warn. The apostles point to Christ as the supreme example for believers (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15), to pastors as examples for their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12), and to the prophets as examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) [2]. The Jews serve as a warning example (Heb. 4:11) [2], demonstrating that biblical examples function both positively and negatively—showing what to emulate and what to avoid.
Principles for Effective Use
The preacher who feeds souls should follow Christ's method with the loaves: first taking the bread of life himself, lifting his soul to God for blessing, then breaking the word rightly and distributing portions suited to hearers' capacities and states [8]. Adam Clarke's exposition of Luke 9:16 outlines this sequence as a model for ministerial practice. The analogies and examples must serve the text, not replace it—they illuminate rather than obscure.
When using examples from Scripture, the preacher must handle them with precision. Augustine's principle applies: imitation of evil makes one a child of the devil "not by proper birth" but by resemblance [6]. Similarly, biblical examples teach through pattern and warning. The cross-references in Scripture itself model this method—Exodus 20:17's prohibition against coveting connects to Genesis 3:6, Job 31:1, Matthew 5:28, and Colossians 3:5 [4], showing how one text illuminates another through analogy.
The standard remains Christ's word and example, not comparison with other believers [9]. Analogies drawn from creation, history, or daily life follow the biblical pattern of using visible things to teach invisible realities—what Easton calls "a comparison of earthly with heavenly things" [3]. The preacher's task is to make these comparisons with the clarity and authority that marked prophetic speech, where similitudes and symbols fixed attention and drove hearers toward repentance [7].
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).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; a comparison; equivalent to the Heb. mashal, a similitude. In the Old Testament this is used to denote (1) a proverb (1 Sam. 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chr. 7:20), (2) a prophetic utterance (Num. 23:7; Ezek. 20:49), (3) an enigmatic saying (Ps. 78:2; Prov. 1:6). In the New Testament, (1) a proverb (Mark 7:17; Luke 4:23), (2) a typical emblem (Heb. 9:9; 11:19), (3) a similitude or allegory (Matt. 15:15; 24:32; Mark 3:23; Luke 5:36; 14:7); (4) ordinarily, in a more restricted sense, a comparison of earthly with heavenly things, "an eart”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Exodus 20:17 cross-references: Genesis 3:6, Genesis 14:23, Genesis 34:23, Joshua 7:21, 1 Samuel 15:19, 2 Samuel 11:2, Job 31:1, Job 31:9, Psalms 10:3, Psalms 119:36, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 6:24, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Isaiah 33:15, Isaiah 57:17, Jeremiah 5:8, Jeremiah 22:17, Ezekiel 33:31, Amos 2:6, Micah 2:2, Habakkuk 2:9, Matthew 5:28, Matthew 20:15, Luke 12:15, Luke 16:14, Acts 5:4, Acts 20:33, Romans 7:7, Romans 13:9, 1 Corinthians 6:10, Ephesians 5:3, Ephesians 5:5, Philippians 3:19, Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:6, Hebrews 13:5”
- Hosea “I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables. -- Hosea 12:10”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Hosea (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hosea 12:10: I have also spoken - I have used every means, and employed every method, to instruct and save you. I have sent prophets, who spake plainly, exhorting, warning, and beseeching you to return to me. They have had Divine visions, which they have declared and interpreted. They have used similitudes, symbols, metaphors, allegories, etc., in order to fix your attention, and bring you back to your duty and interest. And, alas! all is in vain; you have not profited by my condescension. This text St. Paul seems to have had full in view, when he wrote, Heb 1:1 (note): "God who”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 9:16: Then he took the five loaves - A minister of the Gospel, who is employed to feed souls, should imitate this conduct of Christ: 1. He ought to exhort the people to hear with sedate and humble reverence. 2. He should first take the bread of life himself, that he may be strengthened to feed others. 3. He ought frequently to lift his soul to God, in order to draw down the Divine blessing on himself and his hearers. 4. He should break the loaves - divide rightly the word of truth, and give to all such portions as are suited to their capacities and states. 5. What he cannot”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”