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Christ's Work as Sufficient for Understanding Human Examples in Scripture

Christ's earthly life provides the definitive pattern for Christian conduct, yet Scripture insists that his work transcends mere example. The tension between Christ as exemplar and Christ as redeemer shapes how believers understand both his person and the human figures presented throughout the biblical narrative.

The Necessity of Christ's Human Nature

The incarnation was not incidental to Christ's mission but essential to his mediatorial office. Paul writes that "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5), establishing that Christ's humanity was "necessary to his mediatorial office" [2]. His human nature is demonstrated through concrete historical realities: conception in the virgin's womb, birth, circumcision, growth in wisdom and stature, weeping, hunger, thirst, sleep, and weariness [2]. These are not theatrical performances but authentic human experiences, proving that "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14) in the fullest sense [2].

This genuine humanity qualified Christ to serve as both sacrifice and pattern. Hebrews 2:17 indicates he had to be "made like unto his brethren" to become "a merciful and faithful high priest" [2]. The same nature that allowed him to suffer made him capable of showing others how to suffer. Yet the order matters: Christ's work as mediator precedes and enables his function as example.

Christ as Example in Scripture

The New Testament explicitly presents Christ as a model for conduct. In matters of good works, "Christ [is] an example" (John 10:32; Acts 10:38), and these works are "by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God" [1]. His pattern extends to practical disciplines: "Christ set an example of" early rising for prayer and ministry (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) [5]. The apostle Peter declares that "Christ's example [is] a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God," noting that believers are "called" to this pattern because "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example" [10]. Matthew Henry observes that "the example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings," particularly because "Jesus Christ himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though he had no guilt of his own" [11].

Yet even in these exhortations, Christ's substitutionary work frames the exemplary function. Peter's language—"Christ also suffered for us"—embeds the example within the atonement [10]. The suffering is not merely instructive but redemptive, and the instruction derives authority from the redemption.

The Insufficiency of Human Examples Alone

Adam Clarke's commentary on Galatians 6:4 articulates a crucial principle: "Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone" [9]. Clarke continues: "The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard" [9]. This establishes Christ as the singular normative example, relativizing all other human patterns.

The reason for this exclusivity lies in Christ's unique sinlessness and divine mission. Other biblical figures—Abraham, Moses, David, Paul—offer instructive examples in particular virtues (Abraham's faith, Moses' intercession, David's repentance), but none can serve as comprehensive moral templates because all sinned and required the redemption Christ provided. The Gospels themselves were composed to proclaim "the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world" [3], not merely to record the life of a moral teacher. The "central fact of Christian preaching" was Christ's saving work [3], which contextualizes every narrative detail.

Justification and the Limits of Example

The doctrine of justification by faith exposes the fundamental inadequacy of treating Christ merely as example. Galatians 2:16 states that "a person is not justified by the works of the law, if not by faith in Jesus Christ," concluding that "by the works of the law no human being will be justified" [6]. Romans 3:20 and Galatians 2 similarly teach that "justification [is] unattainable by" works [1]. James 2:24 complicates this by asserting that "by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith" [8], but the broader canonical witness subordinates human works to the prior work of Christ.

John Chrysostom notes that "the Cross removed the curse, Faith brought in righteousness, righteousness drew on the grace of the Spirit" [13]. This sequence—curse removed, righteousness imputed, Spirit given—depends entirely on Christ's atoning work, not on his exemplary life. Believers are "wrought by God in us" to perform good works (Isaiah 26:12; Philippians 2:13) [1], and "they alone, who abide in Christ can perform" them (John 15:4-5) [1]. The example becomes operative only after the redemptive work establishes the relationship.

The Interpretive Framework for Human Examples

This Christological priority governs how Scripture presents other human figures. Abraham's faith, celebrated in Romans 4 and Galatians 3, points forward to the faith that justifies through Christ. David's psalms of lament and trust anticipate the suffering and vindication of the Messiah. The prophets' obedience and suffering foreshadow Christ's perfect obedience unto death. These figures are not self-contained moral lessons but participants in a narrative that culminates in Christ's person and work.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown observe that Christ "had a precise work to do upon earth, with every particular of it arranged and laid out to Him," and that "all He did upon earth was just 'the works of God'" [12]. This purposeful mission distinguishes Christ from every other biblical character. Where human examples illustrate particular virtues or failures, Christ's life constitutes the redemptive event itself. His works were not merely good deeds to imitate but the accomplishment of salvation.

The Westminster tradition and other Reformed sources emphasize that Scripture was "given by inspiration of God" and "given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [4], designed to reveal Christ and lead believers to good works through him. The Bible's human examples serve this revelatory purpose, not as autonomous moral exemplars but as witnesses to the necessity and sufficiency of Christ's work. Ephesians 4:13 speaks of believers coming "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" [7], indicating that maturity is measured by conformity to Christ alone, not by composite imitation of biblical heroes.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  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 ”
  6. Galatians “Galatians 2:16 (LEB) — but knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the law, if not by faith in Jesus Christ, and we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law ⌞no human being will be justified⌟.”
  7. King James Version “[KJV] Ephesians 4:13 — Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
  8. James “You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. -- James 2:24”
  9. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
  10. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
  11. 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 3:18: Here, I. The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. Jesus Christ himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though he had no guilt of his own and could have declined all suffering if he had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was suffered to expia”
  12. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 9:4: I must work the works of him that sent me, &c.--a most interesting statement from the mouth of Christ; intimating, (1) that He had a precise work to do upon earth, with every particular of it arranged and laid out to Him; (2) that all He did upon earth was just "the works of God"--particularly "going about doing good," though not exclusively by miracles; (3) that each work had its precise time and place in His programme of instructions, so to speak; hence, (4) that as His period for work had definite termination, so by letting any one service pass by its ”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: back to the subject of verse 2 : the gift of the Holy Ghost came through faith in Christ.”—Ellicott.—G.A.] As the grace of the Spirit could not possibly descend on the graceless and offending, they are first blessed the curse having been removed; then being justified by faith, they draw unto themselves the grace of the Spirit. Thus the Cross removed the curse, Faith brought in righteousness, righteousness drew on the grace of the Spirit. Ver. 15 . “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet ”
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