Balancing Allegories and Examples with Scripture's Authority

The Bible employs various literary devices, including allegories and examples, to convey spiritual truths. An allegory is a representation of one thing intended to excite the representation of another thing, often containing a twofold sense: the immediate or historic sense and the ultimate sense concerned with the things signified by the words ^[1].

The apostle Paul uses allegory in Galatians 4:24, where he refers to the history of Isaac and Ishmael, interpreting it allegorically to contrast the status of those under the law with those who have faith in Christ ^[3]. This allegorical interpretation is not meant to negate the historical meaning but to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth. Similarly, the parables of Jesus, such as the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9), are a form of allegory that convey spiritual truths through earthly comparisons ^[5].

The use of allegories and examples in Scripture raises questions about the authority and interpretation of the Bible. Some traditions interpret allegories and examples as having a fixed, determinate meaning, while others see them as open to multiple interpretations. According to Calvin, the interpretation of Scripture should be guided by the principle of seeking the author's original intention ^[4].

In contrast, some interpreters have been accused of reading speculative allegorical meanings into every element of a parable or example. For instance, the Tyndale House commentary on Matthew 13:3 cautions against finding speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended ^[5].

The balance between allegories, examples, and Scripture's authority is maintained by understanding that allegories and examples are used to illustrate and reinforce the main theological points, rather than to create new or independent meanings. As seen in Romans 7:2-3, Paul uses an illustration to make two basic points about the law and freedom, without intending every element of the story to have a theological counterpart ^[8].

The early church fathers and Reformers recognized the importance of balancing the literal and allegorical senses of Scripture. For example, Adam Clarke's commentary on 2 Corinthians 10:4 highlights the metaphorical language used by Paul to describe the Christian ministry, emphasizing the need to understand the context and intended meaning ^[6].

The authority of Scripture is not diminished by the use of allegories and examples; rather, it is reinforced by the understanding that these literary devices are used to convey deeper spiritual truths. As John Gill notes on 2 Peter 1:19, the word of prophecy (i.e., Scripture) is more sure than human testimonies or fables, emphasizing the reliability and authority of the biblical text ^[7].

The various traditions represented in the sources agree that the interpretation of allegories and examples must be grounded in the context of Scripture and guided by a commitment to understanding the author's original intention. By doing so, the balance between allegories, examples, and Scripture's authority is maintained, and the richness and depth of the biblical text are preserved.

The historical development of allegorical interpretation is also noteworthy. The use of allegory dates back to the Old Testament, where it is seen in passages such as Psalm 80, which describes Israel as a vine brought out of Egypt ^[2]. The New Testament writers, including Paul and the author of Hebrews, continue this tradition, using allegory to interpret Old Testament events and themes.

Sources

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”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.”
Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 4:24: 4:24-25 Paul connects Abraham’s human attempt to fulfill God’s promises (4:23) with the human attempt in Galatia and elsewhere to attain salvation by keeping the law. Hagar’s status as a slave-wife corresponds with Israel’s enslaved status under the law. This status contrasts with the status of those who have faith in Christ (4:26-27). 4:24 serve as an illustration (literally are being allegorized): In allegorical writing, every character and event is symbolic of a deeper meaning. Allegorical interpretations often ignore the historical meaning of the text and i”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 20.15: implied, (so that drunkards may not plead the example of the holy fathers as a pretext for their crime,) but an honorable and moderate liberality. I acknowledge, indeed, that the word has a double meaning, and is often taken in an ill sense; as in Genesis 9:21 , and in similar places: but in the present instance the design of Moses is clear. Should any one object, that a frugal use of food and drink is simply that which suffices for the nourishing of the body: I answer, although food is properly for the supply of our necessities”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:3: 13:3-9 This parable (interpreted in 13:18-23) addresses the mostly negative responses of the Jewish nation to Jesus and his message. • Parables (Greek parabolē) are stories that usually express an analogy between a common aspect of life and a spiritual truth. To understand a parable, it is necessary to locate the central analogy and understand it in its historical context and in the context of the Gospel text; then the central message can be understood. Speculative allegorical meanings that were not intended should not be found in every element of a parable.”
2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 10:4: The weapons of our warfare - The apostle often uses the metaphor of a warfare to represent the life and trials of a Christian minister. See Eph 6:10-17; Ti1 1:18; Ti2 2:3-5. Are not carnal - Here he refers to the means used by the false apostle in order to secure his party; he calumniated St. Paul, traduced the truth, preached false and licentious doctrines, and supported these with sophistical reasonings. But mighty through God - Our doctrines are true and pure, they come from God and lead to him, and he accompanies them with his mighty power to the hearts o”
2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 7:2: 7:2-3 These verses are not an allegory, in which every element of the story has a theological counterpart. Paul simply cites an illustration to make two basic points: Death can release a person from obligation to the law, and freedom from one relationship can allow a person to establish a new one. Paul applies the illustration in 7:4.”

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