Using Non-Scriptural Examples to Illustrate Biblical Truth
The use of non-scriptural examples to illustrate biblical truth is a practice rooted in the biblical concept of parables and comparisons, which serve to illuminate spiritual realities through relatable, earthly phenomena [2]. The Greek word parabole, from which "parable" derives, signifies "placing beside or together," indicating a comparison or illustration of one subject by another [2]. This method is evident throughout scripture, where divine truths are often conveyed through analogies drawn from everyday life or common understanding.
For instance, Jesus frequently taught using parables, such as those found in the Gospels, to explain complex spiritual principles in an accessible manner [2]. The New Testament also describes the Holy Spirit writing God's law not on stone tablets, but on the "fleshy tables of the heart," using a physical analogy to describe an internal spiritual transformation [5]. Similarly, the author of Hebrews states that "through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear," drawing a distinction between the visible and invisible to explain creation [4].
The Bible itself is referred to as "the Word of God," "the Word of Christ," and "the Word of truth," indicating its divine origin and inherent veracity [1, 10]. However, the communication of this truth often involves drawing parallels to human experience. For example, the concept of sincerity, a characteristic of gospel doctrines, is illustrated by Christ's own example and is expected in believers' love for God and one another, as well as in the preaching of the gospel [3]. Self-denial, another biblical principle, is exemplified by Christ and is shown to be necessary for following Him and for the spiritual warfare of saints [6].
Even in discussions of profound theological concepts like sin, biblical writers use illustrative language. While all human beings are born sinners, the distinction between the wicked indulging their sinful nature and the godly fighting against it is drawn [7]. The "great sin" is identified as rebellion [9]. Augustine, as cited by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, explains that while believers are "born of God," those who commit sin are "of the devil" not by generation but by imitation, becoming children of the devil by mimicking him [8]. These examples demonstrate how non-scriptural or experiential analogies are employed to clarify and deepen the understanding of biblical teachings.
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- 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; ”
- King James Version “[KJV] Hebrews 11:3 — Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 3:3 (Darby) — being manifested to be Christ's epistle ministered by us, written, not with ink, but [the] Spirit of [the] livingGod; not on stone tables, but on fleshy tables of [the] heart.”
- 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 ”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 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”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:41: And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,.... The Scriptures, which are by divine inspiration, come from the God of truth, contain nothing but truth in them, and are called "the Scriptures of truth", Dan 10:21. Or the Gospel, which is often so called, Eph 1:13; This comes from God, who cannot lie, and is a declaration of his mind and will concerning the salvation of men; in which Christ, who is the truth, is concerned, being the author, preacher, and substance of it; into which the Spirit of truth leads men, and makes it useful and effectual; which has”