Biblical Truth Illustrated by Extrabiblical Examples
Biblical truth is frequently illustrated through examples, both within and outside of the scriptural narrative. The Bible itself employs various literary forms to convey truth through illustration, such as parables, which are comparisons or similitudes used to explain one subject by another [1]. These can range from short proverbs to expanded metaphors [1].
One significant way truth is illustrated is through the lives and actions of individuals. For instance, Christ is presented as an example of self-denial, sincerity, and zeal [4, 6, 7]. His self-denial is seen in events like resisting temptation in the wilderness and His submission to the Father's will [4]. Ministers are also called to be examples of sincerity [6]. The concept of "example" is a biblical proper name, indicating its significance in conveying moral and spiritual lessons [2].
Beyond individual conduct, broader theological truths are also illuminated through various means. The concept of "light," for example, is used to describe God as its sole source, its creation, and its separation from darkness [3]. This natural phenomenon then serves as an illustration for spiritual light. Afflictions, while difficult, are shown to be beneficial in promoting God's glory, revealing His power, teaching His will, and turning people to Him [8].
The "word of truth" or "Scripture of truth" refers to the Bible itself, which is considered divine inspiration and contains nothing but truth [10, 12]. This truth is not confined to abstract statements but is often made tangible through historical events and prophetic fulfillments. For instance, the history of the Jewish people, particularly their susceptibility to false Christs, is seen as a striking verification of biblical prophecy [9]. The idea that "truth shall spring out of the earth" (Psalm 85:11) can be interpreted as the Gospel emerging from the land of Judea or the growth of faith in individuals [5, 11].
Even the building of the Church is described as an illustration of God's grace, gathering believers from scattered and broken circumstances [13]. The testimonies within Scripture are considered "wonderful" because they reveal God's mind and will, recount creation and providence, and detail miracles [14]. These examples, whether through parables, personal conduct, natural phenomena, or historical events, serve to make abstract biblical truths comprehensible and relatable.
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”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: Example: — >”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Light — God the only source of -- Jas 1:17. Created by God -- Ge 1:3; Isa 45:7. Separated from darkness -- Ge 1:4. Sun, moon, and stars appointed to communicate to the earth -- Ge 1:14-17; Jer 31:35. Divided into Natural. -- Job 24:14; Isa 5:30. Extraordinary or miraculous. -- Ex 14:20; Ps 78:14; Ac 9:3; 12:7. Artificial. -- Jer 25:10; Ac 16:29. Communicated to the body through the eye -- Pr 15:30; Mt 6:22. Described as White and pure. -- Mt 17:2. Bright. -- Job 37:21. Shining. -- 2Sa 23:4; Job 41:18. Diffusive. -- Job 25:3; 36:30. Useful and precious. -- Ec 2:13. Ag”
- 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 ”
- Psalms “Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. -- Psalms 85:11”
- 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; ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Zeal — Christ an example of -- Ps 69:9; Joh 2:17. Godly sorrow leads to -- 2Co 7:10,11. Of saints, ardent -- Ps 119:139. Provokes others to do good -- 2Co 9:2. Should be exhibited In spirit. -- Ro 12:11. In well-doing. -- Ga 4:18; Tit 2:14. In desiring the salvation of others. -- Ac 26:29; Ro 10:1. In contending for the faith. -- Jude 1:3. In missionary labours. -- Ro 15:19,23. For the glory of God. -- Nu 25:11,13. For the welfare of saints. -- Col 4:13. Against idolatry. -- 2Ki 23:4-14. Sometimes wrongly directed -- 2Sa 21:2; Ac 22:3,4; Php 3:6. Sometimes not accord”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:43: if another shall come, &c.--How strikingly has this been verified in the history of the Jews! "From the time of the true Christ to our time, sixty-four false Christs have been reckoned by whom they have been deceived" [BENGEL].”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:41: And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,.... The Scriptures, which are by divine inspiration, come from the God of truth, contain nothing but truth in them, and are called "the Scriptures of truth", Dan 10:21. Or the Gospel, which is often so called, Eph 1:13; This comes from God, who cannot lie, and is a declaration of his mind and will concerning the salvation of men; in which Christ, who is the truth, is concerned, being the author, preacher, and substance of it; into which the Spirit of truth leads men, and makes it useful and effectual; which has”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 85:11: Truth shall spring out of the earth,.... Either the Gospel, the word of truth, which sprung up at once in the land of Judea, as if it came out of the earth; and from Zion and Jerusalem it came forth into the Gentile world: or else the truth of grace God desires in the inward parts, and which springs up in such who are like cultivated earth, or good ground, being made so by the Spirit and grace of God, particularly the grace of "faith"; by which some render the word (q) here, which springs up in the heart, and, with it, man believes to righteousness: or rather Christ ”
- Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 10:21: But I will show that which is noted in the Scripture of truth,.... Not in the written word, though there are many things relating to what should befall the Jews in the latter day, especially in Deu 28:1 but in the decrees and purposes of God, which are sometimes signified by a book, and things written in it; because so particular and distinct, and so sure and certain, and which will be most truly, infallibly, and punctually performed: these are "noted", marked, engraven, in the eternal mind of God; they are "in writing", and they are "truth" (b), as it may be rendere”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.7: its numbers, as if its dignity consisted in its multitude. If sometimes, in various places, Religion is less flourishing than could be wished, if the body of the pious is scattered, and the state of a well-regulated Church has gone to decay, not only do our minds sink, but entirely melt within us. On the contrary, while we see in this history of Moses, the building of the Church out of ruins, and the gathering of it out of broken fragments, and out of desolation itself, such an instance of the grace of God ought to raise us to firm”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”