Comparing Non-Scriptural Examples to Clear Scriptural Teachings
The Bible consistently presents itself as the authoritative standard for truth, contrasting its teachings with human wisdom or other doctrines. Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:3, warns against those who offer "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" [2]. This highlights a foundational principle: any teaching that deviates from Christ's words or sound doctrine is to be rejected.
The Scriptures are described as "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [1]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. This divine origin establishes their unique authority. The apostle Paul further emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 2:13, stating that believers speak "not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual" [3, 4]. This suggests that spiritual truths are best understood and interpreted through the lens of other spiritual truths revealed in Scripture [5]. John Chrysostom, an early church father, understood "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" to mean expounding Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture by comparing it with the Gospel revealed by the same Spirit, and illustrating Gospel mysteries by comparing them with Old Testament types [5, 6].
The concept of "strange doctrines" is also addressed in Hebrews 13:9, which warns against being "carried aside" by teachings that are "foreign to the truth" [8]. These strange doctrines often differ from the singular faith in Jesus Christ taught by established leaders [8]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, interprets 1 Timothy 6:3 as a warning against doctrines that differ from the Bible, including those that might encourage disobedience to authority [7].
The Bible is presented as a complete system of divine truths, to which nothing should be added or taken away [10]. Therefore, when evaluating non-scriptural examples or traditions, the primary measure is their alignment with the clear teachings of the Bible. Teachings that do not align with the "spirit of truth" found in God's word are to be discerned and rejected [9]. The emphasis is on the divine origin and comprehensive nature of Scripture as the ultimate guide for faith and practice.
Sources
- 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”
- 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,”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 2:13 — Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:13 (Webster) — Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: the deep things of God.” For the word “to search” is here indicative not of ignorance, but of accurate knowledge: it is the very same mode of speaking which he used even of God, saying, “He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit.” ( Rom. viii. 27 .) Then having spoken with exactness concerning the knowledge of the Spirit, and having pointed out that it is as fully equal to God’s knowledge, as the knowledge of a man itself to itself; and also, that we have learned all things from it and necessarily from it; he added, “whi”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 6:3: If any man teach otherwise,.... Or another doctrine, as the Syriac version renders it; a doctrine different from what the apostle had now taught, concerning the duty of servants to their masters; as did the false teachers, who despised dominion or government; not only civil government, and so spoke evil of rulers and magistrates; and church government, and therefore reviled the apostles, elders, and pastors of churches; but family government, and encouraged disobedience to parents and masters; see Pe2 2:10 or teach another doctrine, from that of the Bible, of Chris”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 4:6: We--true teachers of Christ: in contrast to them. are of God--and therefore speak of God: in contrast to "speak they of the world," Jo1 4:5. knoweth God--as his Father, being a child "of God" (Jo1 2:13-14). heareth us--Compare Joh 18:37, "Every one that is of the truth, heareth My voice." Hereby-- (Jo1 4:2-6); by their confessing, or not confessing, Jesus; by the kind of reception given them respectively by those who know God, and by those who are of the world and not of God. spirit of truth--the Spirit which comes from God and teaches truth. ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 13:8: For we know in part,.... Not that the Scriptures, the rule and measure of knowledge, and from whence spiritual knowledge is derived, are imperfect; so that there is need of unwritten traditions, and of enthusiastic revelations and inspirations, to inform of things otherwise unknown; for though they were at sundry times, and in divers manners delivered, yet now they contain a complete system of divine truths, to which nothing is to be added, and from which nothing is to be taken away; or that only a part of the saints know the things of God; for though there is ”