Balancing Extrabiblical Examples in Preaching for Clarity
Preachers often use extrabiblical examples to clarify biblical truths, but this practice requires careful balance to ensure the sermon remains grounded in Scripture. The goal is to illuminate the biblical text, not to overshadow it with external illustrations. The preacher, like the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, seeks "to find out pleasant words, and an upright writing, even the words of truth" [6].
One key principle is that extrabiblical examples should always serve the biblical text, not compete with it. The apostle Paul, for instance, in Romans 12:3, speaks with authority "through the grace given unto me" as an apostle, exemplifying his own precept by grounding his instruction in his divinely appointed office [7]. Similarly, any illustration should derive its authority and meaning from the scriptural message it supports. Jesus himself frequently used parables, which are essentially comparisons or illustrations of one subject by another, to convey spiritual truths [4]. These parables, though drawn from everyday life, were integral to his teaching and revealed "the will of God as it contrasts with traditions" [8].
The use of extrabiblical material should not introduce "different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion" [5]. This means that while illustrations can be drawn from history, contemporary events, personal anecdotes, or even fiction, they must align with and reinforce biblical doctrine. For example, when discussing purification, a preacher might reference various Old Testament rituals for purification, such as those for priests or individuals who were ceremonially unclean [1]. These examples from within the biblical narrative itself serve as powerful illustrations of spiritual cleansing.
Extrabiblical examples can be particularly effective in making abstract theological concepts more relatable. For instance, the concept of diligence, which is required by God in seeking Him, obeying Him, and striving for perfection [2], can be illustrated by stories of perseverance from various fields. Similarly, sincerity, exemplified by Christ and expected in believers' love for God and one another [3], can be made tangible through real-life accounts. However, the primary source for understanding these virtues remains the biblical text itself, such as Christ's example of sincerity [3] or his diligence in prayer [2].
The danger lies in allowing the illustration to become the main point, or for it to subtly introduce ideas not fully supported by Scripture. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Malachi 2:6 highlights the role of the priest in teaching "the law of truth... in all its fulness," emphasizing that the priest's walk "with me" (God) was characterized by "peace" resulting from obedience to the covenant [9]. This underscores that the authority and clarity of the message come from its fidelity to God's revealed word.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Purifications — Of Israel at the exodus -- Ex 14:22; 1Co 10:2. Of Israel before receiving the law -- Ex 19:10. Of priests before consecration -- Ex 29:4. Of Levites before consecration -- Nu 8:6,7. Of high priest on day of atonement -- Le 16:4,24. Of things for burnt-offerings -- 2Ch 4:6. Of individuals who were ceremonially unclean -- Le 15:2-13; 17:15; 22:4-7; Nu 19:7-12,21. Of the healed leper -- Le 14:8,9. Of Nazarites after vow expired -- Ac 21:24,26. Used by the devout before entering God's house -- Ps 26:6; Heb 10:22. Multiplied by traditions -- Mt 15:2; Mr 7:”
- 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: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
- 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”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (BBE) — If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:10 (Geneva1599) — The Preacher sought to finde out pleasant wordes, and an vpright writing, euen the wordes of trueth.”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:3: For I say--authoritatively through the grace given unto me--as an apostle of Jesus Christ; thus exemplifying his own precept by modestly falling back on that office which both warranted and required such plainness towards all classes. to every man that is among you, not to think, &c.--It is impossible to convey in good English the emphatic play, so to speak, which each word here has upon another: "not to be high-minded above what he ought to be minded, but so to be minded as to be sober-minded" [CALVIN, ALFORD]. This is merely a strong way of chara”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:21: 5:21-47 You have heard. . . . But I say: Jesus contrasts his own teaching to six misinterpretations of the law. Each antithesis provides an example of the surpassing righteousness of Jesus. Jesus reveals the will of God as it contrasts with traditions. 5:21 our ancestors were told: The expression refers to the traditional interpretation of the teachers of religious law and Pharisees. Though their traditions prohibited murder, they did not prohibit hatred. The surpassing righteousness of Jesus demands reconciliation (5:23-24); merely refraining from committing mur”
- Malachi (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Malachi 2:6: law of truth was in his mouth--He taught the people the truths of the law in all its fulness (Deu 33:10). The priest was the ordinary expounder of the law; the prophets were so only on special occasions. iniquity . . . not found--no injustice in his judicial functions (Deu 17:8-9; Deu 19:17). walked with me--by faith and obedience (Gen 5:22). in peace--namely, the "peace" which was the fruit of obeying the covenant (Mal 2:5). Peace with God, man, and one's own conscience, is the result of "walking with God" (compare Job 22:21; Isa 27:5; Jam 3:18)”