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Balancing Non-Biblical Examples with Biblical Text in Exegesis

Exegesis, the critical interpretation of biblical texts, primarily relies on the biblical text itself. However, non-biblical examples can play a supporting role in understanding and illustrating biblical concepts, though they must be handled with care to avoid misinterpretation.

One common way non-biblical examples are used is in cross-referencing. Tools like the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info provide extensive cross-references, linking verses to other biblical passages that share similar themes, words, or historical contexts [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. For instance, Ephesians 2:12, which speaks of being "without Christ," is cross-referenced with numerous Old Testament passages that describe Israel's covenant relationship with God, such as Genesis 15:18 and Jeremiah 31:31, highlighting the concept of covenant and its absence [1]. Similarly, Ephesians 4:26, "Be angry and do not sin," is linked to Psalms 4:4 and Proverbs 14:29, demonstrating a consistent biblical teaching on managing anger [2]. These cross-references, while internal to the Bible, function as a form of "non-biblical example" in the sense that they draw from different books, authors, and historical periods within the biblical canon to illuminate a particular verse.

Beyond direct biblical cross-references, exegetes may draw upon broader historical, cultural, or linguistic contexts. For example, John Chrysostom, an influential Eastern Orthodox Father, is noted for his remarkable position in exegesis, avoiding both allegorizing and overly dogmatic tendencies prevalent in his time [9]. His approach often involved careful attention to the "general cast, both of the phraseology and the structure of the sentences" in the Greek New Testament, sometimes noting classical constructions found more frequently in certain writers [10]. While Chrysostom's exegesis was primarily focused on the biblical text, his awareness of broader linguistic patterns reflects an engagement with non-biblical linguistic examples to better understand the biblical text [10]. However, it is also noted that Chrysostom's lack of Hebrew knowledge sometimes led him to rely solely on the Septuagint (LXX), occasionally missing nuances present in the Hebrew text [11].

Another type of non-biblical example comes from the New Testament's use of Old Testament quotations. These are not always made according to a uniform method. For instance, Luke 20:37 refers to Exodus 3:6 by quoting "Moses at the bush," indicating a section rather than a precise verse number, and Mark 2:26 refers to 1 Samuel 21:1-6 as occurring "in the days of Abiathar" [8]. These examples show how biblical authors themselves interpreted and applied earlier sacred texts, providing a model for how later exegetes might draw connections across different parts of the scriptural tradition.

The use of non-biblical examples can also extend to illustrating moral or theological concepts. Torrey's Topical Textbook, for instance, compiles biblical passages to define and exemplify concepts like "Self-Denial," pointing to Christ's example in Matthew 4:8-10 and Philippians 2:6-8 as a model for believers [7]. While these are biblical examples, the topical organization itself functions as a non-biblical framework for understanding a concept.

Sources

  1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:12 cross-references: Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7, Exodus 12:45, Exodus 24:3, Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 15:3, Ezra 4:3, Psalms 89:3, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 45:20, Isaiah 61:5, Jeremiah 14:8, Jeremiah 17:13, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 33:20, Ezekiel 13:9, Ezekiel 37:26, Hosea 3:4, Luke 1:72, John 4:22, John 10:16, John 15:5, Acts 3:25, Acts 14:15, Acts 28:20, Romans 1:28, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:8, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 10:19, Galatians 3:16, Galatians 4:8, Ephesians 4:18, Colossians 1:5, Colossians 1:21, Colossians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 2 Thessalonian”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 4:26 cross-references: Exodus 11:8, Exodus 32:21, Numbers 20:10, Numbers 20:24, Numbers 25:7, Deuteronomy 24:15, 1 Samuel 20:34, Nehemiah 5:6, Psalms 4:4, Psalms 37:8, Psalms 106:30, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 25:23, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Matthew 5:22, Mark 3:5, Mark 10:14, Romans 12:19, Ephesians 4:31, James 1:19”
  3. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.20.5 → Exod.17.15 (confidence: 13 votes)”
  4. OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.30.11 → Eccl.3.4 (confidence: 12 votes)”
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:3 cross-references: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 14:20, Genesis 22:18, 1 Chronicles 4:10, 1 Chronicles 29:20, 2 Chronicles 31:8, Nehemiah 9:5, Psalms 72:17, Psalms 72:19, Psalms 134:3, Isaiah 61:9, Daniel 4:34, Luke 2:28, John 10:29, John 14:20, John 15:2, John 17:21, John 20:17, Romans 12:5, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 12:12, 2 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 2 Corinthians 11:31, Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 2:11, Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 9:23, 1 Peter 1:3,”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 4:6 cross-references: Genesis 14:19, Numbers 16:22, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 95:3, Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 40:21, Isaiah 63:16, Jeremiah 10:10, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 5:18, Malachi 2:10, Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:13, John 14:23, John 17:26, John 20:17, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 8:6, 1 Corinthians 12:6, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:3, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 2:22, Ephesians 3:17, Ephesians 6:23, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:24, 1 John 4:12, Revelation 4:8”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Quotations — From the Old Testament in the New, which are very numerous, are not made according to any uniform method. When the New Testament was written, the Old was not divided, as it now is, into chapters and verses, and hence such peculiarities as these: When Luke (20:37) refers to Ex. 3:6, he quotes from "Moses at the bush", i.e., the section containing the record of Moses at the bush. So also Mark (2:26) refers to 1 Sam. 21:1-6, in the words, "in the days of Abiathar;" and Paul (Rom. 11:2) refers to 1 Kings ch. 17-19, in the words, "in Elias", i.e., in the port”
  9. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew: I. The Place of Chrysostom in the History of Exegesis. The position held by Chrysostom in the history of exegesis is remarkable. Owing to a peculiar combination of circumstances he, more than any of the Fathers, was enabled to avoid the errors alike of the allegorizing and dogmatic tendencies. The former tendency was the prevalent one in the Christian Church in the Ante-Nicene period; the latter, especially in the West, became dominant during the Post-Nicene period, using for its own ends the earlier erroneous theory. Chrysostom represents the Antiochian r”
  10. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: particular words and constructions, as of the general cast, both of the phraseology and the structure of the sentences; but that this similarity arises, not from the identity of the writers, but from the fact that both wrote in somewhat better Greek than is found in the rest of the New Testament. The grammars of the New Testament Greek continually refer to the fact, that certain classical constructions are found only, or at least more frequently, in these writers than elsewhere. But this does not prove more than that the author of this Epistle, as m”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew: Owing to his ignorance of Hebrew, Chrysostom was not properly equipped for the work of expounding the Old Testament. He treats the LXX. as though it were of final authority, save in a few instances where the variations of other Greek versions have occasioned discussion. Frequently he makes use of verbal suggestions of the Greek that have no warrant in the Hebrew text. Yet, where he is not thus misled, his comments on the Old Testament present the same characteristics as those on the New. The most marked peculiarity of Chrysostom as an exegete is his compar”
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