Using Extrabiblical Examples to Support Biblical Truth
The use of extrabiblical examples to support biblical truth is evident in various theological discussions and interpretations, often serving to illustrate or reinforce concepts found within Scripture. For instance, when discussing the nature of sin, Augustine, as cited in Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 1 John 3:8, distinguishes between being "born of the devil" and becoming a "child of the devil by imitating him." Augustine clarifies that the devil does not beget, but rather corrupts, and imitation leads to being a child of the devil, not birth [3]. This distinction uses an extrabiblical philosophical concept of generation versus corruption to illuminate the biblical understanding of sin's origin and transmission.
Similarly, the concept of a "parable" itself, while central to biblical teaching, draws on a broader understanding of comparison and illustration. Smith's Bible Dictionary defines a parable (Greek parabole) as "placing beside or together, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another" [2]. This definition highlights the inherent use of relatable, often extrabiblical, scenarios to convey spiritual truths. The New Testament applies this widely, from short proverbs to dark prophetic utterances [2].
In the context of enduring faith, the author of Hebrews challenges believers to imitate Jesus, the "supreme example of faithfulness," by enduring suffering and God's discipline [6]. This exhortation is framed with an extrabiblical metaphor of a race, where "extra weight hinders a runner" just as sin "trips us up" [6]. This comparison to Greco-Roman athletic contests helps to convey the need for endurance and self-denial in the Christian life, a concept also found in biblical passages like 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, which speaks of striving for a perishable wreath [1].
Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:20, cites an extrabiblical source to support the biblical truth that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." John Gill's commentary notes that Paul, for "further confirmation and illustration," adds a testimony from the Psalms (Psalm 94:11) to a statement from Eliphaz, a figure outside the direct lineage of Israelite prophets [5]. This demonstrates a willingness to draw upon wisdom from various sources to underscore divine truth. Even the concept of God's anger is understood not as a "spontaneous emotional outburst," but as a "holy God’s necessary response to sin," a theological understanding that can be informed by broader philosophical considerations of divine attributes [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- 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”
- 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”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”