Applying Biblical Principles to Extrabiblical Examples

Biblical principles can be applied to extrabiblical examples by understanding the underlying truths conveyed in scripture and recognizing their broader applicability. The Bible frequently uses examples, parables, and historical accounts to illustrate spiritual and moral lessons ^[1]. These biblical examples serve as models or warnings, providing guidance that extends beyond their immediate context.

One significant way biblical principles are applied is through the concept of "example" itself. The New Testament highlights Christ as the ultimate example for believers, particularly in His self-denial and suffering ^{[2, 3]}. For instance, Christ's willingness to humble Himself and become obedient to death is presented as a pattern for believers to follow ^[2]. Similarly, pastors are called to be examples to their flocks, and the experiences of the Jews in the Old Testament serve as a warning for later generations ^[3]. The prophets also provide an example of patience in suffering affliction ^[3]. This demonstrates that the actions and experiences recorded in scripture are intended to instruct and guide individuals in various situations, even those not explicitly detailed in the Bible.

The principle of self-denial, exemplified by Christ, is presented as a test of devotion and a necessary component of following Him ^[2]. This principle is not limited to specific biblical scenarios but is broadly applied to denying ungodliness, controlling appetites, abstaining from fleshly lusts, and mortifying sinful desires ^[2]. Similarly, the principle of liberality, exemplified by Christ, is shown to be pleasing to God and characteristic of saints ^[4]. This principle is applied to various extrabiblical contexts, such as giving in the service of God, showing generosity toward saints, servants, the poor, strangers, and even enemies ^[4].

The application of biblical principles also involves discerning the core message or "doctrine" behind specific narratives or commands. For example, the apostle in Hebrews connects the superiority of Christ to the law given by angels, arguing that the gospel dispensation is more excellent than the legal one ^[5]. This doctrinal understanding then leads to an exhortation for believers to pay closer attention to the truths they have heard ^[5]. Similarly, the concept of a "new covenant" is understood as fundamentally different from the old, enabling obedience through the Spirit's inward impulse rather than merely through external adherence ^[6]. This principle of inward transformation, rather than outward observance, can be applied to various aspects of life not directly addressed by the Old Covenant.

Furthermore, biblical principles can be applied by recognizing the unchanging character of God and His consistent dealings with humanity. For instance, God's "repentance" in Jeremiah 18:8 is understood not as a change in God's nature, but as His adaptation to changing human circumstances, particularly when people turn from their evil ways ^[8]. This understanding allows for the application of God's consistent principles of justice and mercy to new situations. The emphasis on inward spiritual reality over outward observance is another recurring principle. The "Jew" is defined not by outward circumcision but by a circumcised heart, signifying holy devotedness to God ^[10]. This principle can be applied to any external religious practice, emphasizing that true devotion lies in the heart.

Even in seemingly mundane matters, biblical principles guide behavior. Jacob's instruction to his household to "put away the strange gods" highlights the principle of exclusive devotion to God and the removal of idolatry, a principle applicable to any form of spiritual compromise ^[11]. The warning against being "carried aside" by "divers and strange doctrines" underscores the importance of remaining established in grace and adhering to the truth centered on Christ, rather than being swayed by various teachings, especially those concerning dietary laws or ascetic practices ^{[7, 9]}. This principle encourages discernment and adherence to core Christian beliefs when encountering new ideas or practices.

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”
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 ”
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).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:1: The apostle proceeds in the plain profitable method of doctrine, reason, and use, through this epistle. Here we have the application of the truths before asserted and proved; this is brought in by the illative particle therefore, with which this chapter begins, and which shows its connection with the former, where the apostle having proved Christ to be superior to the angels by whose ministry the law was given, and therefore that the gospel dispensation must be more excellent than the legal, he now comes to apply this doctrine both by way of exhortation and argume”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 8:9: Not according to, &c.--very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant, which only "worked wrath" (Rom 4:15) through man's "not regarding" it. The new covenant enables us to obey by the Spirit's inward impulse producing love because of the forgiveness of our sins. made with--rather as Greek, "made to": the Israelites being only recipients, not coagents [ALFORD] with God. I took them by the hand--as a father takes his child by the hand to support and guide his steps. "There are three periods: (1) that of the promise; (2) that of the pedag”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 18:8: their evil--in antithesis to, "the evil that I thought to do." repent--God herein adapts Himself to human conceptions. The change is not in God, but in the circumstances which regulate God's dealings: just as we say the land recedes from us when we sail forth, whereas it is we who recede from the land (Eze 18:21; Eze 33:11). God's unchangeable principle is to do the best that can be done under all circumstances; if then He did not take into account the moral change in His people (their prayers, &c.), He would not be acting according to His own unch”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 34.10: made use of by Calvin on the Corinthians, vol. 1, pp. 150 , 373 , and vol. 2, p. 9 . — Ed. 393 “ Lesquelles on fait receuoir au poure monde sous la fausse couuerture de l’authorite des anges ;” — “Which they make the world receive under the false pretext of the authority of angels.” 394 “ La splendeur de la maieste de Christ ;” — “The splendor of Christ’s majesty.” 395 “ De seul vray but, qui est Christ ;” — “From the only true aim, which is Christ.” 396 See Calvin’S Institutes , vol. 1, p. 200. 397 “ A cause de l”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 2:28: he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, &c.--In other words, the name of "Jew" and the rite of "circumcision" were designed but as outward symbols of a separation from the irreligious and ungodly world unto holy devotedness in heart and life to the God of salvation. Where this is realized, the signs are full of significance; but where it is not, they are worse than useless. Note, (1) It is a sad mark of depravity when all that is designed and fitted to melt only hardens the heart (Rom 2:4, and compare Pe2 3:9; Ecc 8:11). (2) Amidst all the inequalitie”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 35:2: Then Jacob said unto his household . . . Put away the strange gods that are among you--Hebrew, "gods of the stranger," of foreign nations. Jacob had brought, in his service, a number of Mesopotamian retainers, who were addicted to superstitious practices; and there is some reason to fear that the same high testimony as to the religious superintendence of his household could not have been borne of him as was done of Abraham (Gen 18:19). He might have been too negligent hitherto in winking at these evils in his servants; or, perhaps, it was not till his”

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