Avoiding Biblical Moralizing Through Extrabiblical Examples in Personal Life
Avoiding Biblical Moralizing Through Extrabiblical Examples in Personal Life
The Bible warns against relying on extrabiblical examples or "profane and old wives' fables" when seeking to live a godly life [1, 3]. In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul instructs believers to "refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness" [1]. This warning is echoed in Colossians 2:8, where Paul cautions against being "spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" [2].
The danger of relying on extrabiblical examples is that they can lead to a form of moralizing that is not grounded in Scripture. For instance, Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the importance of self-denial, citing biblical examples such as Christ's example of denying himself for the sake of others [4]. In contrast, relying on extrabiblical examples can lead to a focus on human traditions and philosophies that may not be consistent with biblical teachings.
One tradition interprets Paul's warning in 1 Timothy 4:7 as a caution against Jewish fables and Gnostic teachings [8]. John Gill's commentary on this verse notes that the "profane and old wives' fables" refer to "Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world" [8]. Similarly, Adam Clarke's commentary on this verse suggests that the warning is against "the legends of the Romish Church" and other fables that are "profane and old wives' fables" [10].
To avoid biblical moralizing through extrabiblical examples, believers must focus on exercising themselves "unto godliness" [1]. This involves cultivating a deep understanding of biblical teachings and applying them to daily life. Torrey's Topical Textbook provides numerous examples of biblical teachings on various virtues, such as self-denial, care, and avoiding malice [4, 5, 6]. By grounding their moral instruction in Scripture, believers can avoid the pitfalls of moralizing based on human traditions or philosophies.
Moreover, the biblical emphasis on avoiding certain behaviors and attitudes is not limited to individual actions but also extends to communal and societal aspects. For example, the Bible warns against forming alliances with those who are enemies of God, citing the dangers of idolatry and defilement [7]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Ezekiel 16:43 notes that God's judgment on Israel's idolatry is a warning against spiritual unchastity [9].
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:7 (LITV) — But refuse the profane and old-womanish tales. And exercise yourself to godliness.”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (Geneva1599) — Beware lest there be any man that spoile you through philosophie, and vaine deceit, through the traditions of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 4:7 — But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”
- 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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Care, Overmuch — About earthly things, forbidden -- Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27. God's providential goodness should keep us from -- Mt 6:26,28,30; Lu 22:35. God's promises should keep us from -- Heb 13:5. Trust in God should free us from -- Jer 17:7,8; Da 3:16. Should be cast on God -- Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7. An obstruction to the Gospel -- Mt 13:22; Lu 8:14; 14:18-20. Be without -- 1Co 7:32; Php 4:6. Unbecoming in saints -- 2Ti 2:4. Uselessness of -- Mt 6:27; Lu 12:25,26. Vanity of -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Warning against -- Lu 21:34. Sent as a punishment to”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Malice — Springs from an evil heart -- Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19. Forbidden -- 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Eph 4:26,27. A hindrance to growth in grace -- 1Pe 2:1,2. Incompatible with the worship of God -- 1Co 5:7,8. Christian liberty not to be a cloak for -- 1Pe 2:16. Saints avoid -- Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:12-14. The wicked Speak with. -- 3Jo 1:10. Live in. -- Tit 3:3. Conceive. -- Ps 7:14. Filled with. -- Ro 1:29. Visit saints with. -- Ps 83:3; Mt 22:6. Pray for those who injure you through -- Mt 5:44. Brings its own punishment -- Ps 7:15,16. God requites -- Ps 10:14; Eze 36:5. Pun”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God — Forbidden -- Ex 23:32; 34:12; De 7:2,3; 13:6,8; Jos 23:6,7; Jdj 2:2; Ezr 9:12; Pr 1:10,15; 2Co 6:14-17; Eph 5:11. Lead to idolatry -- Ex 34:15,16; Nu 25:1-8; De 7:4; Jdj 3:5-7; Re 2:20. Have led to murder and human sacrifice -- Ps 106:37,38. Provoke the anger of God -- De 7:4; 31:16,17; 2Ch 19:2; Ezr 9:13,14; Ps 106:29,40; Isa 2:6. Provoke God to leave mean to reap the fruits of them -- Jos 23:12,13; Jdj 2:1-3. Are ensnaring -- Ex 23:33; Nu 25:18; De 12:30; 13:6; Ps 106:36. Are enslaved -- 2Pe 2:18,19. Are defiling -- Ez”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to th”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 16:43: (Eze 16:22; Psa 78:42). In gratitude for God's favors to her in her early history. fretted me-- (Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30). thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations--that is, this the wickedness (compare Zac 5:8), peculiarly hateful to God, namely, spiritual unchastity or idolatry, over and "above" (that is, besides) all thine other abominations. I will put it out of thy power to commit it by cutting thee off. FAIRBAIRN translates, "I will not do what is scandalous (namely, encouraging thee in thy sin by letting it pass with im”
- 1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables - This seems to refer particularly to the Jews, whose Talmudical writings are stuffed with the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect. It may with equal propriety be applied to the legends of the Romish Church. Let any man read the Aurea Legenda, and he will find of profane and old wives' fables what may stand, with considerable propriety, column for column with the Talmud. See Joseline's Life of St. Patrick for miracles, without rhyme or reason, abundantly more numerous and more stupendo”