Biblical Examples Addressing Extrabiblical Issues and Texts

The Bible frequently addresses issues and texts that exist outside its immediate narrative, often by providing examples, warnings, or theological frameworks for understanding broader human experience. These extrabiblical concerns can range from ethical dilemmas to the nature of human existence and divine interaction with the world.

One significant way the Bible engages with extrabiblical issues is through the presentation of examples, both positive and negative. For instance, Christ is presented as the ultimate example for believers (1 Peter 2:21; John 13:15), and pastors are encouraged to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) ^[1]. The prophets serve as examples of enduring affliction (James 5:10) ^[1]. Conversely, the experiences of the Jews are cited as a warning (Hebrews 4:11) ^[1].

The concept of sin is a pervasive extrabiblical issue that the Bible addresses comprehensively. All human beings are considered born sinners (Psalm 58:3), though the godly strive against their sinful nature while the wicked indulge it (Romans 7:19-23; James 4:1-10) ^[5]. Sin is not merely an action but can also be an attitude, such as the insolence or arrogance associated with deliberate sins (Psalm 19:13) ^[9]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 John notes that "he that committeth sin is of the devil" (1 John 3:8), contrasting this with those who do righteousness. Augustine, as cited in the same commentary, clarifies that while one can be "born of God," the devil "begets none," but rather individuals become children of the devil by imitating him ^[7]. The first sin of Adam and Eve is described not merely as eating an apple, but as a profound act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience ^[8]. The Bible also addresses the universal nature of sin, stating that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" (Romans 1:18-32; 2:1–3:8; 3:9-20) ^[10]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 John distinguishes between having "no sin" (1 John 1:8), referring to the guilt of a corrupt nature, and "have not sinned" (1 John 1:10), referring to the commission of actual sins even after conversion ^[11].

The Bible also provides guidance on human responses to various life circumstances. For example, it addresses despair, noting that it can be produced in the wicked by divine judgments (Deuteronomy 28:34, 67; Revelation 9:6; 16:10) and can lead to continued sin or blasphemy (Jeremiah 2:25; 18:12; Isaiah 8:21; Revelation 16:10, 11) ^[3]. While saints may be tempted to despair (Job 7:6; Lamentations 3:18), they are enabled to overcome it (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9) through trust in God (Psalm 42:5, 11) ^[3]. Biblical figures like Cain, Ahithophel, and Judas are presented as examples of those who succumbed to despair (Genesis 4:13, 14; 2 Samuel 17:23; Matthew 27:5) ^[3].

Other extrabiblical issues touched upon include the concept of "vanity," which the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Proverbs interprets as encompassing "all sorts of sinful acts" (Proverbs 30:8) ^[6]. The Bible also discusses the long-suffering of God, which is part of His character (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15) and should lead to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) ^[2]. This divine attribute is exercised towards both His people (Isaiah 30:18; Ezekiel 20:17) and the wicked (Romans 9:22; 1 Peter 3:20), though there are limits to it (Genesis 6:3; Jeremiah 44:22) ^[2].

The Bible also addresses practical matters, such as the importance of early rising, with Christ himself setting an example (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) ^[4]. This practice is deemed requisite for devotion (Psalm 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isaiah 26:9), executing God's commands (Genesis 22:3), and discharging daily duties (Proverbs 31:15) ^[4]. Neglecting early rising can lead to poverty (Proverbs 6:9-11) ^[4].

The Bible's engagement with extrabiblical issues demonstrates its comprehensive scope, offering moral, theological, and practical guidance that extends beyond its immediate historical and narrative contexts.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Despair — Produced in the wicked by divine judgments -- De 28:34,67; Re 9:6; 16:10. Leads to Continuing in sin. -- Jer 2:25; 18:12. Blasphemy. -- Isa 8:21; Re 16:10,11. Shall seize upon the wicked at the appearing of Christ -- Re 6:16. Saints sometimes tempted to -- Job 7:6; La 3:18. Saints enabled to overcome -- 2Co 4:8,9. Trust in God, a preservative against -- Ps 42:5,11. Exemplified Cain. -- Ge 4:13,14. Ahithophel. -- 2Sa 17:23. Judas. -- Mt 27:5.”
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 ”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”

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