Avoiding Trivial Illustrations in Biblical Communication
Biblical communication, particularly in teaching and preaching, benefits from avoiding trivial illustrations and focusing on substantive spiritual truths. The Apostle Paul frequently cautioned against distractions that detract from the core message of faith and godliness [2, 3].
One significant aspect of this principle is found in Paul's instruction to Timothy "not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith" (1 Timothy 1:4 LEB) [2]. Similarly, he advised Timothy to "refuse the profane and old-womanish tales" and instead to "exercise yourself to godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7 LITV) [3]. These admonitions highlight a concern for content that builds up faith rather than diverting attention to matters of little spiritual profit. Matthew Henry, commenting on Titus 3:9, notes that while "needful questions" can clarify and improve useful knowledge, "idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edif" should be avoided [6]. This suggests a distinction between illustrations or discussions that genuinely serve to illuminate biblical truth and those that merely entertain or lead to unproductive speculation.
The author of Hebrews similarly encourages believers to move beyond "the elementary message about Christ" and to "move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God" (Hebrews 6:1 LEB) [1]. This implies a progression in understanding and a focus on deeper spiritual realities rather than perpetually revisiting foundational, or potentially superficial, aspects. John Gill, in his commentary on Hebrews, emphasizes practical exhortations such as brotherly love, hospitality, sympathy, and purity, and warns against covetousness, which he describes as an "immoderate desire, of riches, an over anxious care for worldly things" [5, 9]. These are substantive matters of Christian living that demand serious attention, contrasting with trivial concerns. Gill also highlights "doing good and to communicate" as a sacrifice under the Gospel dispensation, specifically referring to acts of beneficence to the poor, saints, and ministers [10]. Such practical applications of faith underscore the importance of focusing on actions that demonstrate genuine godliness.
The concept of "simplicity" in communication is also relevant. Torrey's Topical Textbook defines simplicity as being "opposed to fleshly wisdom" and emphasizes its necessity in preaching the gospel, acts of benevolence, and all conduct [4]. This simplicity is not a lack of depth but a directness and clarity that avoids unnecessary complexity or triviality. It suggests that the message itself, and the illustrations used to convey it, should be straightforward and focused on spiritual truth, rather than being obscured by elaborate or distracting elements.
John Calvin, in his commentaries, often prioritized the clear and faithful exposition of scripture. For instance, in his commentary on Genesis, he states his aim to make "the doctrine of the Law, the obscurity of which has heretofore repelled many, may become familiarly known" [8]. This reflects a commitment to making profound biblical truths accessible without resorting to trivialities. He also expressed pleasure in relating experiences that "quicken your zeal, and may stimulate you to perform those things which you have undertaken" [7], indicating a preference for illustrations that genuinely motivate and encourage spiritual growth.
The emphasis across these texts and commentaries is on communication that is purposeful, edifying, and directly related to "God's plan that is by faith" [2]. It means avoiding anything that might lead to "useless speculations" [2] or "profane and old-womanish tales" [3], and instead focusing on what builds up believers in maturity and godliness [1, 3].
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (LEB) — Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (LEB) — and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:7 (LITV) — But refuse the profane and old-womanish tales. And exercise yourself to godliness.”
- 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”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:5: Let your conversation be without covetousness,.... Which is an immoderate desire, of riches, an over anxious care for worldly things, attended with dissatisfaction, and discontent with their present state: it discovers itself many ways; in preferring the world to religion; in laying up treasure for a man's own self, without being any ways useful to others; in withholding from himself the necessaries of life, and in making no use of his substance for the glory of God, and the interest of religion: this is a very great evil; it is called idolatry, and is said to be the”
- 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”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 3.3: when you brought your family, and settled down permanently here for the express purpose of assisting the efforts of the godly by your skill and industry. These things I take pleasure in relating, in order that, by calling to remembrance what you have experienced, I may quicken your zeal, and may stimulate you to perform those things which you have undertaken, and of which it will be impossible for you ever to repent, and may give a fresh impulse even to your cheerful and willing exertions. Proceed then, my dear Crispin, in assisting by your di”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.9: far I have treated briefly, as the occasion required, of the utility of this History. 29 29 Touchant l’utilite de l’histoire contenue au livre de Genese . — Touching the utility of the history contained in the Book of Genesis. — French Tr. As for the rest, I have labored — how skilfully I know not, but certainly faithfully — that the doctrine of the Law, the obscurity of which has heretofore repelled many, may become familiarly known. There will be readers, I doubt not, who would desire a more ample explication of particular passag”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 13 The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, closes it with practical exhortations to these Hebrews, puts up prayers for them, and sends salutations to them. The exhortations are to brotherly love, and the continuance of it, Heb 13:1 to hospitality, by which some have entertained angels unawares, Heb 13:2, to sympathy with those that are in bonds, and in, afflictions, Heb 12:3 to purity and chastity in the honourable state of marriage, urged by the judgment of God on unclean persons, Heb 13:4 to avoid covet”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:16: But to do good and to communicate forget not,.... Which is to be understood, not of doing good works in general, but of acts of beneficence, or communicating to "the poor", as the Syriac version renders it: the apostle proceeds to take notice of another sort of sacrifice, which continues under the Gospel dispensation; and that is, alms; which should be attended to: alms should be given, or beneficence be exercised to all men in need, even to our enemies, as well as to our friends and relations; and especially to poor saints, and ministers of the Gospel: and this bel”