Encouraging Others to Test Analogies Against Scripture
The New Testament frequently encourages believers to test and examine spiritual claims, including analogies and teachings, against the standard of Scripture. Paul, for instance, admonishes the Corinthians not to "go farther than what is in the holy Writings" [1]. This principle suggests that any teaching or analogy should align with biblical revelation.
The concept of "parable" in Greek (παραβολή, parabolē) literally means "placing beside or together," implying a comparison or illustration of one subject by another [4]. While parables and analogies are valuable teaching tools, their interpretation and application must be carefully weighed. John Gill, commenting on Matthew 4:6, highlights how Jesus countered the devil's misapplication of Scripture by opposing it with another passage, thereby showing that "scripture... could never contradict itself" [6]. This demonstrates the importance of using Scripture to interpret Scripture and to correct misinterpretations or misleading analogies.
The apostle Paul also warns against "myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith" [5]. This caution extends to analogies that might lead to unproductive or unbiblical speculation. Similarly, in Galatians, Paul issues a strong warning: "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!" [3]. The term "anathema" (ἀνάθεμα), translated as "under a curse," signifies something devoted to God, often for destruction, if it is contrary to His will [2]. This underscores the seriousness of adhering to sound doctrine and rejecting teachings that deviate from the established gospel.
Believers are called to "prove your own selves" [9] and to "examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ" [7]. This self-examination extends to the teachings one accepts. John Calvin, in his commentary on 1 Timothy, criticizes those whose teachings lack "sincerity" and fail to contribute to "the solid edification of godliness" [10]. He also notes that even among those who claim to be religious, there can be "morose professors of the Gospel, who not only perpetually supply new materials for fomenting discords, but by their restlessness disturb the peace" [8]. This highlights the need for discernment when evaluating analogies and teachings, ensuring they promote unity and truth rather than division or error. The ultimate standard for testing any analogy or teaching remains the revealed word of God.
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:6 (BBE) — My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Anathema — which literally means a thing suspended, is the equivalent of the Hebrew word signifying a thing or person voted. Any object so devoted to Jehovah was irredeemable. If an inanimate object, it was to be given to the priests, (Numbers 18:14) if a living creature or even a man, it was to be slain. (Leviticus 27:28,29) The word anathema frequently occurs in St. Paul's writings, and is generally translated accused. An examination of the passages in which it occurs shows that it had acquired a more general sense as expressive either of strong feeling, (Romans 9:3”
- Galatians “Galatians 1:9 (BSB) — As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!”
- 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”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (BSB) — or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 4:6: Jesus saith unto him, it is written again,.... Christ takes no notice of the false and wrong citation of scripture made by the devil, nor of any misapplication of it; but mildly replies, by opposing another passage of scripture to him, Deu 6:16 ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, thereby tacitly showing, that he had produced scripture to a very wrong purpose, since that could never contradict itself; and also, that for a person to neglect the ordinary means of safety, and to expect, that as God can, so he will, preserve without the use of such means, is a tempting ”
- 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 ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 3.8: who, by open violence, fall upon the pious to destroy them, and utterly to blot out their memory; but of certain morose professors of the Gospel, who not only perpetually supply new materials for fomenting discords, but by their restlessness disturb the peace which holy and learned men gladly cultivate. We see that with the Papists, although in some things they maintain deadly strife among themselves, 27 27 Combien qu’en tout le reste, ils s’entrebatent comme chiens et chats . — Though in everything else they quarrel together like ”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine--Greek, "Try (make trial of) yourselves." prove your own selves--This should be your first aim, rather than "seeking a proof of Christ speaking in me" (Co2 13:3). your own selves--I need not speak much in proof of Christ being in me, your minister (Co2 13:3), for if ye try your own selves ye will see that Christ is also in you [CHRYSOSTOM], (Rom 8:10). Finding Christ dwelling in yourselves by faith, ye may well believe that He speaks in me, by whose ministry ye have received this faith [ESTIUS]. To doubt it would be the sin of Israel”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 29.6: the sincerity of the apostles, it is, on that account, an absolute profanation of real theology. What, I ask, do they teach about faith, or repentance, or calling on God; about the weakness of men, or the assistance of the Holy Spirit, or the forgiveness of sins by free grace, or about the office of Christ, that can be of any avail for the solid edification of godliness? But on this subject we shall have occasion to speak again in expounding the Second Epistle. Undoubtedly, any person who possesses a moderate share of understand”