Using Non-Biblical Examples in Biblical Interpretation
Biblical interpretation often involves drawing connections between different parts of Scripture, but it can also incorporate non-biblical examples to illuminate meaning. One common method is cross-referencing, where a verse is understood in light of other biblical passages [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. For instance, the concept of "example" itself is found in Scripture, referring to Christ's life, the conduct of pastors, or the experiences of the Jews as warnings [8].
However, interpreters also look beyond the immediate biblical text. The term "parable" in Greek (parabole) signifies a comparison or illustration of one subject by another, indicating that the biblical authors themselves used illustrative methods [7]. Early Christian writers, such as Augustine, used non-biblical reasoning to clarify theological points. For example, in discussing sin, Augustine is cited as explaining that "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" [10]. This distinction clarifies that becoming a "child of the devil" is through imitation, not a literal begetting, a concept not explicitly detailed in the biblical text itself but illuminated by logical reasoning.
Similarly, John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, is noted for his homilies on various biblical books, where he would often compare Gospel mysteries with Old Testament types [12, 13]. While this is still a form of intra-biblical comparison, the method of drawing parallels and illustrations extends to broader cultural or philosophical concepts when necessary for explanation. The use of "versions" or translations of the Holy Scriptures, such as the Targums, also represents an engagement with non-biblical linguistic and cultural contexts to aid in interpretation, as these translations were created to make the Scriptures accessible to those no longer familiar with ancient Hebrew [9].
The practice of using non-biblical examples is not about replacing biblical authority but about enhancing understanding. It can involve drawing on general human experience or logical reasoning to explain biblical concepts, such as the idea that God's anger is not a "spontaneous emotional outburst" but a "necessary response to sin," a point clarified by academic commentary [11]. This approach helps to articulate biblical truths in ways that resonate with the audience's existing knowledge and frameworks.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 2:3 cross-references: Psalms 37:7, Psalms 69:7, Micah 7:9, Mark 15:21, Luke 8:15, Luke 14:27, Luke 18:1, Luke 21:19, John 15:21, Romans 2:7, Romans 5:3, Romans 8:25, Romans 12:12, Romans 15:4, Romans 16:12, 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 16:16, 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:16, 2 Corinthians 5:9, 2 Corinthians 6:5, 2 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:9, Philippians 2:16, Philippians 4:3, Colossians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, 1 Timothy 4:”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 12:28 cross-references: Leviticus 10:3, Psalms 2:11, Psalms 19:14, Psalms 89:7, Proverbs 28:24, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 56:7, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:27, Matthew 25:34, Luke 1:33, Luke 17:20, Romans 11:20, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 5:10, Philippians 4:18, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 5:7, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 Peter 1:17, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:20, Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 15:4”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 11:8 cross-references: Genesis 11:31, Genesis 12:1, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 15:7, Genesis 17:8, Genesis 20:13, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 26:3, Numbers 10:30, Deuteronomy 9:5, Joshua 24:3, Nehemiah 9:7, Psalms 105:9, Isaiah 41:2, Isaiah 51:2, Ezekiel 36:24, Matthew 2:21, Matthew 7:24, Acts 7:2, Romans 1:5, Romans 6:17, Romans 10:16, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 11:33, James 2:14, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 4:17”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.33.22 → Ps.13.5 (confidence: 12 votes)”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 14:7 cross-references: Genesis 22:12, Exodus 20:11, Joshua 7:19, 1 Samuel 6:5, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalms 33:6, Psalms 36:1, Psalms 89:7, Psalms 95:5, Psalms 124:8, Psalms 146:5, Proverbs 8:22, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 40:6, Isaiah 40:9, Isaiah 42:12, Isaiah 44:23, Isaiah 52:7, Isaiah 58:1, Jeremiah 10:10, Ezekiel 7:2, Ezekiel 7:6, Daniel 8:19, Hosea 8:1, Malachi 2:2, Matthew 25:13, Luke 17:18, John 5:25, Acts 14:15, Acts 17:23, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation 4:9, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 8:10, Revelation 11:13, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 15:4, Revelation 16:9, Revelation 18:”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 11:22 cross-references: Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 32:39, Joshua 23:15, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 78:49, Psalms 136:15, Isaiah 66:14, Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 18:24, Ezekiel 33:17, Matthew 3:9, Luke 8:15, John 8:31, John 15:2, John 15:4, Acts 11:23, Acts 14:22, Romans 2:4, Romans 2:7, Romans 9:22, 1 Corinthians 15:2, Galatians 6:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 10:35, 1 John 2:19, Jude 1:20, Revelation 2:5”
- 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: Version — A translation of the holy Scriptures. This word is not found in the Bible, nevertheless, as frequent references are made in this work to various ancient as well as modern versions, it is fitting that some brief account should be given of the most important of these. These versions are important helps to the right interpretation of the Word. (See SAMARITAN [653]PENTATEUCH.) 1. The Targums. After the return from the Captivity, the Jews, no longer familiar with the old Hebrew, required that their Scriptures should be translated for them into the Chaldaic or Ar”
- 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”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: sections are numbered throughout: where the division seemed to be inconvenient, the number is given in the margin. In the earlier Homilies a second series of numbers is employed to mark the sections in the translation; this was discontinued as unnecessary, and the Benedictine only retained. In some of the references to the Psalms, where the Septuagint differs much from the Hebrew, the numbers given are those of the Greek. Care will be taken in the Index of Texts to give always the reference to the Psalm and Verse according to the Hebrew reckoning fo”
- 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:”