Avoiding Diluted Analogies in Biblical Teaching and Preaching
Paul warns Timothy against "fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith" [2]. The Greek term parabole, meaning "a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another" [3], describes legitimate biblical teaching through analogy. Yet Scripture repeatedly cautions against distortions of this method—what might be called diluted or profane analogies that obscure rather than illuminate divine truth.
The Biblical Warning Against Profane Illustrations
The apostle's concern centers on teaching that generates "arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith" [1]. John Gill identifies these as "profane and old wives' fables" that are "foolish and impertinent" [7], whether drawn from Jewish traditions, Gnostic cosmologies, or other sources that fail to edify. Adam Clarke extends this critique to "the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect," noting parallel problems in both Talmudic writings and later ecclesiastical legends [6]. The issue is not analogy itself but analogy untethered from scriptural substance.
Characteristics of Diluted Teaching
Paul's instruction to "refuse profane and old wives' fables" and instead "exercise thyself rather unto godliness" [7] establishes a clear contrast. Diluted analogies share common features: they multiply words without meaning, resembling the "vain repetitions" Jesus condemns—"not so much the repetition of the same words as a senseless multiplication of them" [9]. They introduce "divers and strange doctrines" that lack the uniformity of apostolic teaching, which "is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece" [4]. Matthew Henry warns against "idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edification" of hearers [5].
The Preacher's Responsibility
Calvin notes that Paul addresses those who "for the sake of ambition, brought forward a new doctrine," forbidding Timothy "to permit any new forms of teaching to be introduced" [8]. The standard is not novelty but fidelity to "the words of faith and good doctrine" [7]. Effective biblical teaching uses comparison to clarify revelation, not to obscure it with speculative tangents or culturally fashionable illustrations that generate debate rather than understanding. The test remains whether the analogy serves "that stewardship of God which is with faith" [1]—whether it builds up the church in truth or merely entertains with clever but empty speech.
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (Rotherham) — Not to be teaching otherwise, nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies,—the which, bring, arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith;—”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 1:4 — Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”
- 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”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 3:9: Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe, I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should shun, Tit 3:9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge; but idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edif”
- 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”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 4.4: is a compound, and, therefore, may either be translated, “to teach differently,” or after a new method, or, “to teach a different doctrine.” The translation given by Erasmus, ( sectari ,) “ to follow,” does not satisfy me; because it might be understood to apply to the hearers. Now Paul means those who, for the sake of ambition, brought forward a new doctrine. If we read it, “to teach differently,” the meaning will be more extensive; for by this expression he will forbid Timothy to permit any new forms of teaching to be introduce”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:7: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions--"Babble not" would be a better rendering, both for the form of the word--which in both languages is intended to imitate the sound--and for the sense, which expresses not so much the repetition of the same words as a senseless multiplication of them; as appears from what follows. as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking--This method of heathen devotion is still observed by Hindu and Mohammedan devotees. With the Jews, says LIGHTFOOT, it was a maxim, that "Every one w”