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Applying Non-Scriptural Examples to Scripture in Daily Life

The Bible is considered by many traditions to be the inspired Word of God, given through the Holy Spirit [1]. It is referred to as the "Word of God," "Word of Christ," and "Holy Scriptures" [1]. The New Testament writers and Jesus himself frequently appealed to and taught from the Scriptures [1].

While the Bible is the primary source of divine revelation, believers often draw upon non-scriptural examples to understand and apply its teachings in daily life. These examples can take various forms, including personal experiences, historical accounts, or even fictional narratives, which serve to illustrate biblical principles.

One way non-scriptural examples are used is to clarify or emphasize a biblical concept. For instance, the concept of "parable" in the New Testament refers to a comparison or illustration of one subject by another [3]. While many parables are found within Scripture, the use of illustrative stories or analogies from everyday life can function similarly, helping to make abstract biblical truths more concrete and relatable.

The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:3, speaks of believers as "Christ's epistle ministered by us, written, not with ink, but [the] Spirit of [the] living God; not on stone tables, but on fleshy tables of [the] heart" [2, 6]. This imagery suggests that the lives of believers themselves become a testament to God's work, serving as living examples that can be "read" by others. These lived experiences, though not canonical Scripture, can powerfully demonstrate the transformative power of biblical principles.

Historical examples, both within and outside the biblical narrative, also serve as illustrations. The author of Hebrews points to the Jews as a warning, and the prophets as examples of enduring affliction [5]. Similarly, John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, noted that "all those things [in Scripture] were written, that if any one believe not that which is to come, he may, from what has already been, get certain proof of what shall be" [10]. He also observed that the virtues of saints, though not part of the biblical canon, can serve as powerful examples for believers [9].

The use of non-scriptural examples is not meant to supersede or add to the authority of the Bible. Rather, it is a means of applying scriptural wisdom to contemporary situations. John Gill, in his commentary on Matthew 4:4, explains that the passage "It is written" (referring to Deuteronomy 8:3) implies that while man lives by bread, the soul lives by the word of God [7]. This highlights the Bible's foundational role. However, the application of this "word of God" often involves discerning how its timeless truths intersect with the specific circumstances of one's life, which may be illuminated by non-scriptural parallels.

For example, the concept of self-denial, exemplified by Christ, is a test of devotion and necessary for following him [4]. While the biblical texts provide the core teaching, understanding what self-denial looks like in a modern context might involve observing or reflecting on non-scriptural instances of sacrifice or commitment. Similarly, the Bible encourages believers to "walk by faith, not by sight" [8]. This principle can be illustrated by countless stories of individuals who have acted on faith despite outward appearances, even if those stories are not found in the biblical canon.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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.”
  3. 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”
  4. 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 ”
  5. 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).”
  6. 2 Corinthians “being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh. -- 2 Corinthians 3:3”
  7. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 4:4: But he answered and said, it is written,.... The passage referred to, and cited, is in Deu 8:3 the manner of citing it is what was common and usual with the Jews; and is often to be met with in the Talmudic writings; who, when they produce any passage of scripture, say "as it is written". The meaning of this scripture is; not that as the body lives by bread, so the soul lives by the word of God, and doctrines of the Gospel; though this is a certain truth: or that man lives by obedience to the commands of God, as was promised to the Israelites in the wilderness, and in”
  8. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:7: we walk--in our Christian course here on earth. not by sight--Greek, "not by appearance." Our life is governed by faith in our immortal hope; not by the outward specious appearance of present things [TITTMANN, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]. Compare "apparently," the Septuagint, "by appearance," Num 12:8. WAHL supports English Version. Co2 4:18 also confirms it (compare Rom 8:24; Co1 13:12-13). God has appointed in this life faith for our great duty, and in the next, vision for our reward [SOUTH] (Pe1 1:8).”
  9. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: repetition, 448 , 451 ; the weakness of, shown, and they abolished ere Christ came, 451 ; of Christians, 420 ; all their rites heavenly, 434 ; their own souls, 420 ; shadowed out in Old Testament too, ib. ; the martyr's body and soul, ib. ; voluntary poverty is also a whole burnt-offering, ib. ; those of Cornelius, ib. Saint, every Christian a, in faith, 416 . Saints, if weighed against whole world, avail more, 475 , 489 ; some say we cannot be as the, 487 ; friends of God, 475 , 476 , 489 ; how great their virtue, 490 ; gladly wait for us, 491 , 49”
  10. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: all by actual experience? Yet for this purpose were all those things written, that if any one believe not that which is to come, he may, from what has already been, get certain proof of what shall be. Considering therefore these things, both the past and the future, let us at least take breath a little from this hard slavery, and make some account of our souls also, 1034 1034 i.e. as well as of earthly things. that we may obtain both present and future blessings; through the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father”
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