Avoiding False Dichotomies Between Spiritual Truth and Allegory
The distinction between spiritual truth and allegory is crucial in biblical interpretation, as it helps believers discern between literal meaning, figurative language, and potentially misleading narratives. Allegory, by definition, is a figure of speech where a representation of one thing is intended to evoke the representation of another, carrying a meaning beyond or in addition to the literal [2]. While the Bible employs allegorical language, it also warns against focusing on "irreverent, silly myths" or "old wives' fables" at the expense of genuine godliness and sound doctrine [1, 7].
Jewish tradition, as exemplified by Rashi, acknowledges the use of allegory in understanding scripture. Rashi, commenting on Proverbs 1:6, explains that readers should direct their attention to understanding verses through both allegory and figure. He emphasizes that while the allegorical meaning (e.g., idolatry being represented by a "strange woman") is important, the literal figure itself should not be neglected, as it also requires understanding [4]. This perspective suggests a balanced approach where the figurative does not entirely supersede the literal, but rather enriches its comprehension.
However, there are cautions against an overreliance on or misapplication of allegorical interpretation. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:7, instructs believers to "reject irreverent, silly myths" and instead "train yourself for godliness" [1]. John Gill interprets these "profane and old wives' fables" as potentially referring to Jewish traditions, Gnostic teachings, or doctrines that forbid marriage and command abstinence from certain foods. He characterizes them as impious, ungodly, foolish, and impertinent, to be rejected in favor of "words of faith and good doctrine" [7]. This highlights a concern that speculative or ungrounded allegories can distract from core theological truths and practical godliness.
The danger of being "spoiled" or "robbed" of the Gospel's rich treasure by false teachers is a recurring theme. John Gill, commenting on Colossians 2:8, warns against those who would "despoil you; rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spiritual armour, take away from you the truths and doctrines of Christ, and divest you of your spiritual privileges and blessings" [3]. Such warnings suggest that an improper focus on allegories or speculative interpretations could lead believers astray from fundamental Christian teachings.
The concept of "lying" is also relevant to understanding the distinction. John Gill defines a lie as "a voluntary disagreement of the mind and speech, with a design to deceive; it is to speak that which is false, contrary to truth shining in the mind." He clarifies that "parables, fables, tropes, figures, hyperboles, &c. are not lies, because they are not used to deceive" [6]. This distinction is crucial: while allegories and figures of speech convey meaning indirectly, they are not inherently deceptive if their figurative nature is understood. The problem arises when figurative language is presented as literal truth, or when speculative allegories are elevated to the status of divine revelation.
Discerning between truth and error, and between the holy and the profane, is a responsibility of spiritual leaders and believers alike. Ezekiel 44:23 states that priests "shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane." John Gill interprets this as distinguishing "between truth and error; between the doctrine which is according to godliness, and that which is corrupt and unsound... between holy worship, and superstition; between holy duties, and profane and Heathen rites and ceremonies; and between persons sanctified by the Spirit and grace of God, and unconverted ones" [5]. This mandate extends to discerning valid spiritual truths from misleading allegories or fables.
The New Testament also cautions against being led astray by various "spirits" or teachings. 1 John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, believe not every spirit; but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Matthew Henry interprets this as a call to "caution and scrutiny about the spirits and spiritual professors that had now risen," urging believers not to "regard not, trust not, follow not, every pretender to the Spirit of God, or every professor of vision, or inspiration, or revelation from God" [9]. This underscores the need for careful discernment, which includes evaluating whether interpretations, allegorical or otherwise, align with established biblical truth.
Furthermore, the pursuit of wisdom must be grounded in humility and truth, not "jealousy and selfish ambition" [8]. This suggests that interpretations, including allegorical ones, should be approached with a sincere desire for truth rather than personal gain or intellectual pride. The Psalmist's prayer, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity," can be understood in this context, referring not only to worldly temptations but also to "all false doctrines, glided over with the specious pretence of truth; and all false worship and superstition, set off with pomp and pageantry" [10]. Such "vanity" can include interpretations that, while perhaps intellectually stimulating, divert attention from essential spiritual realities.
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:7 (BSB) — But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you,.... Or despoil you; rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spiritual armour, take away from you the truths and doctrines of Christ, and divest you of your spiritual privileges and blessings; suggesting, that the false teachers were thieves and robbers, and men of prey: or drive and carry you away as spoils, as the innocent harmless sheep are drove, and carried away by wolves, and by the thief that comes to steal, to kill, and destroy; intimating, that such as these were the heretics of those times; wherefore it ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 1:6: to understand an allegory and a figure That they should direct their attention to understand the verses through two methods: the allegory and the figure. They should understand what he compares to the figure, but they should not neglect the figure itself, for that, too, requires understanding. When he states, “To save you from a strange woman and a foreign one” (2:16), idolatry is meant; this is the allegory, and also the figure—for he expressed his allegory in terms of a woman—should be understood by it, [meaning that] you shall beware of a stra”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:23: And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane,.... Persons and things; not in a ceremonial, nor merely in a moral, but in an evangelical sense, between truth and error; between the doctrine which is according to godliness, and that which is corrupt and unsound, and eats as cloth a canker; between holy worship, and superstition; between holy duties, and profane and Heathen rites and ceremonies; and between persons sanctified by the Spirit and grace of God, and unconverted ones: and cause them to discern between the unclean and the c”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:23: Wherefore putting away lying,.... Which is one of the deeds of the old man, and a branch of the former conversation agreeable to him: a lie is a voluntary disagreement of the mind and speech, with a design to deceive; it is to speak that which is false, contrary to truth shining in the mind; and it is spoken knowingly and willingly, and with a design to impose upon others; hence a man may speak what is false, and not be a liar, if he does not know it to be so; and hence parables, fables, tropes, figures, hyperboles, &c. are not lies, because they are not used to de”
- 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”
- James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 3:14: 3:14 The truth is that wisdom cannot be associated with jealousy and selfish ambition. Only in humility can we receive God’s true word (1:18, 21).”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:1: The apostle, having said that God's dwelling in and with us may be known by the Spirit that he hath given us, intimates that that Spirit may be discerned and distinguished from other spirits that appear in the world; and so here, I. He calls the disciples, to whom he writes, to caution and scrutiny about the spirits and spiritual professors that had now risen. 1. To caution: "Beloved, believe not every spirit; regard not, trust not, follow not, every pretender to the Spirit of God, or every professor of vision, or inspiration, or revelation from God." Truth is the ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:35: Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,.... As the things of this world, the riches, honours, and pleasures of it, which are all vanity and vexation of spirit; and yet these catch the eye, and allure the heart: and all false doctrines, glided over with the specious pretence of truth; and all false worship and superstition, set off with pomp and pageantry, with which the eyes of the body or the eyes of the mind are taken, and by which the heart is ensnared; and therefore it is desirable to have the eyes turned away from such objects unto better; and quicken thou”