Avoiding Human Wisdom in Analogies and Examples in Biblical Teaching
Biblical teaching often cautions against relying on human wisdom, fables, or traditions when communicating divine truth. The Apostle Paul, for instance, warns against "stories and endless genealogies" that lead to "arguings, rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith" [1]. Similarly, Titus is instructed to avoid "Jewish fables and commandements of men, that turne away from the trueth" [2]. This emphasis suggests that teaching should be grounded in God's revelation rather than speculative or human-derived narratives.
The book of Colossians further advises believers to "Beware lest any man make a prey of you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" [3]. This highlights a concern that human philosophical systems and traditions can detract from the centrality of Christ in teaching. The concept of "simplicity" in teaching is presented as being "opposed to fleshly wisdom" [4]. This simplicity is necessary for understanding the gospel and should be exhibited in preaching, acts of benevolence, and all conduct [4].
Jesus himself demonstrated a carefulness in his teaching, not seeking "fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors" or "descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them," but rather striving to be understood and to make "necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities" [5]. This approach suggests that the goal of biblical teaching is clarity and instruction in faith and holiness, rather than intellectual display or humanly constructed analogies that might obscure the message [5].
The contrast between human wisdom and divine wisdom is a recurring theme. Paul encourages believers to be willing to appear foolish in the eyes of the world to be truly wise in God's eyes, drawing on Old Testament quotations to make this point [7]. The "wisdom" personified in Proverbs, which "crieth without," is understood by some to represent Jesus Christ, emphasizing that true wisdom originates from God [6]. Therefore, avoiding human wisdom in biblical teaching means prioritizing divine revelation and clarity over human constructs or rhetorical flourishes.
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;—”
- Titus “Titus 1:14 (Geneva1599) — And not taking heede to Iewish fables and commandements of men, that turne away from the trueth.”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (Webster) — Beware lest any man make a prey of you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Simplicity — Is opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Necessity for -- Mt 18:2,3. Should be exhibited In preaching the gospel. -- 1Th 2:3-7. In acts of benevolence. -- Ro 12:8. In all our conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. Concerning our own wisdom. -- 1Co 3:18. Concerning evil. -- Ro 16:19. Concerning malice. -- 1Co 14:20. Exhortation to -- Ro 16:19; 1Pe 2:2. They who have the grace of Are made wise by God. -- Mt 11:25. Are made wise by the word of God. -- Ps 19:7; 119:130. Are preserved by God. -- Ps 116:6. Made circumspect by instruction. -- Pr 1:4. Profit by the correction o”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 4:30: Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? - How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of his word! He is not solicitous to seek fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them: but studies only to make himself understood; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of faith and holiness; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 1:20: Wisdom crieth without,.... Here the person instructing throughout this whole book is represented under the name of "Wisdom"; by which we are to understand not the attribute of divine wisdom displayed in the works of creation; nor the light of nature in man; nor the law of Moses given to the Israelites; nor the revelation of the divine will in general, as it is delivered out in the sacred Scriptures; nor the Gospel, and the ministry of it, in particular; but our Lord Jesus Christ; for the things spoken of Wisdom, and ascribed to it in this book, especially in the eig”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:18: 3:18-20 Here Paul returns to the contrast between human wisdom and divine wisdom (see 1:18-25). Using Old Testament quotations, Paul encourages the Corinthians to be willing to appear foolish in the eyes of the world so that they may be truly wise in God’s eyes.”