Balanced Use of Examples in Biblical Teaching and Preaching
Christ's teaching method consistently employed concrete examples to illuminate spiritual truth. The New Testament records His use of parables—comparisons drawn from everyday life—to make abstract doctrines accessible [1]. This pattern of illustration, rooted in the Hebrew prophetic tradition where mashal could denote proverbs, enigmatic sayings, or extended metaphors [1], established a model for Christian instruction that balances propositional content with vivid demonstration.
The Biblical Precedent for Exemplary Teaching
Scripture itself presents Christ as the supreme example across multiple virtues. He modeled meekness in His earthly ministry [2], rose early for prayer [3], demonstrated liberality through His incarnational self-giving [4], maintained diligence in His Father's work [5], and practiced intercessory prayer for His disciples [6]. The apostolic writers consistently pointed to Christ's conduct as the pattern believers should follow, embedding example within doctrinal instruction rather than separating them.
This integration appears throughout the epistles. Paul's exhortation to "put away lying" immediately grounds the command in ecclesiology: "we are members one of another" [7]. The writer of Hebrews, after cataloging the faithful witnesses of chapter 11, urges readers to "strip off every weight" and run with endurance, "looking unto Jesus" as the supreme exemplar [9]. The examples function not as mere illustrations but as theological arguments—the cloud of witnesses demonstrates that God blesses faith, making their lives evidential rather than decorative.
Guarding Against Imbalance
Adam Clarke warns against deriving consolation from comparison with weaker believers rather than measuring oneself against Christ's standard [8]. The danger in teaching lies in substituting horizontal comparison for vertical conformity. When examples become the primary content rather than illuminations of doctrine, instruction devolts into moralism. Conversely, doctrine without concrete demonstration risks abstraction that fails to shape conduct.
The apostolic pattern suggests examples should emerge organically from doctrinal exposition. When Paul addresses liberality, he cites Christ's example within the same breath as the theological principle [4]. When addressing truthfulness, he anchors the command in the nature of the church as Christ's body [7]. The example serves the doctrine; the doctrine gives weight to the example. This reciprocal relationship prevents either element from collapsing into the other, maintaining the tension between indicative and imperative that marks mature Christian teaching.
Sources
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 4:25 cross-references: Leviticus 19:11, Judges 16:11, 1 Kings 13:18, Psalms 52:3, Psalms 119:29, Proverbs 6:17, Proverbs 8:7, Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 21:6, Isaiah 9:15, Isaiah 59:3, Isaiah 63:8, Jeremiah 9:3, Hosea 4:2, Zechariah 8:16, Zechariah 8:19, John 8:44, Acts 5:3, Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 7:14, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 5:30, Colossians 3:9, 1 Timothy 1:10, 1 Timothy 4:2, Titus 1:2, Titus 1:12, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 22:15”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”