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Ensuring Deep Understanding of Biblical Examples in Preaching

Preaching that effectively uses biblical examples aims to provide deep understanding, enabling listeners to grasp and apply scriptural truths. This requires not merely recounting biblical narratives but illuminating their significance and relevance [9]. The Bible itself emphasizes the importance of understanding God's precepts and testimonies [5, 7, 8].

Biblical examples serve various purposes in preaching. Christ himself is presented as the ultimate example in numerous aspects: in suffering affliction (1 Pet. 2:21), in diligence (Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49), in sincerity (1 Pet. 2:22), in early rising for devotion (Mark 1:35), and in meekness (Matt. 11:29) [1, 2, 3, 4, 6]. Pastors are also called to be examples to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3) [1]. Beyond individuals, the experiences of groups, such as the Jews, serve as warnings (Heb. 4:11) [1]. The prophets, too, are held up as examples of suffering affliction (James 5:10) [1].

To ensure deep understanding, preachers must move beyond simple narration to explication. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 119:130, notes that "the entrance of God's word gives light," meaning it provides understanding that is useful for navigating life. He emphasizes that God's testimonies are not only "wonderful" but also "useful, as a light in a dark place," and that the Spirit of God uses the word to enlighten the understanding of the sanctified [11]. This suggests that the preacher's role is to facilitate this "entrance" of the word, making its light accessible.

The process of gaining understanding is often linked to divine instruction and diligent seeking. David, in the Psalms, petitions God for understanding: "Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies" (Ps. 119:125) and "Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings" (Ps. 119:66). Matthew Henry interprets such prayers as a desire for God to make duty plain, especially in times of doubt or affliction [13]. This highlights that deep understanding is not merely intellectual assent but a practical grasp of one's duty and God's will.

Preaching, therefore, is not just about delivering information but about fostering comprehension and application. The book of Ecclesiastes notes that "the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to heare, and searched foorth, and prepared many parables" (Eccl. 12:9, Geneva1599) [9]. This implies that effective teaching involves careful preparation and the use of various methods, such as parables, to convey knowledge. Jeremiah 3:15 promises pastors who will "feed you with knowledge and understanding" [10].

The apostle Paul's approach to preaching also underscores the importance of clear communication. Adam Clarke, commenting on 1 Corinthians 2:1, observes that Paul declared the "testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric," but with a focus on the supreme excellence of the message itself [12]. This suggests that while eloquence can be a tool, the primary goal is the clear and faithful conveyance of the divine testimony, allowing the inherent power of the gospel to work.

Furthermore, deep understanding is often cultivated through the application of biblical truths to contemporary life. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Deuteronomy 4:1, describes the book as an "application of the foregoing history," serving as an inference from God's providences to quicken and engage people to duty and obedience [15]. Similarly, his commentary on Hebrews 2:1 notes that the apostle applies asserted truths "both by way of exhortation and argument," connecting doctrine to practical living [14]. This demonstrates that biblical examples are not just historical accounts but living principles that demand a response.

Sources

  1. 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).”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  3. 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; ”
  4. 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 ”
  5. Psalms “Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works. -- Psalms 119:27”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  7. Psalms “I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. -- Psalms 119:125”
  8. Psalms “Psalms 119:66 (BBE) — Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.”
  9. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 12:9 (Geneva1599) — And the more wise the Preacher was, the more he taught the people knowledge, and caused them to heare, and searched foorth, and prepared many parables.”
  10. King James Version “[KJV] Jeremiah 3:15 — And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
  11. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:130: Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begi”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 2:1: When I came to you - Acting suitably to my mission, which was to preach the Gospel, but not with human eloquence, Co1 1:17. I declared to you the testimony, the Gospel, of God, not with excellency of speech, not with arts of rhetoric, used by your own philosophers, where the excellence of the speech recommends the matter, and compensates for the want of solidity and truth: on the contrary, the testimony concerning Christ and his salvation is so supremely excellent, as to dignify any kind of language by which it may be conveyed. See the Introduction, Section 2.”
  13. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:124: Here is, 1. David's petition for divine instruction: "Teach me thy statutes; give me to know all my duty; when I am in doubt, and know not for certain what is my duty, direct me, and make it plain to me; now that I am afflicted, oppressed, and my eyes are ready to fail for thy salvation, let me know what my duty is in this condition." In difficult times we should desire more to be told what we must do than what we may expect, and should pray more to be led into the knowledge of scripture-precepts than of scripture-prophecies. If God, who gave us his statutes, d”
  14. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:1: The apostle proceeds in the plain profitable method of doctrine, reason, and use, through this epistle. Here we have the application of the truths before asserted and proved; this is brought in by the illative particle therefore, with which this chapter begins, and which shows its connection with the former, where the apostle having proved Christ to be superior to the angels by whose ministry the law was given, and therefore that the gospel dispensation must be more excellent than the legal, he now comes to apply this doctrine both by way of exhortation and argume”
  15. Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 4:1: This most lively and excellent discourse is so entire, and the particulars of it are so often repeated, that we must take it altogether in the exposition of it, and endeavour to digest it into proper heads, for we cannot divide it into paragraphs. I. In general, it is the use and application of the foregoing history; it comes in by way of inference from it: Now therefore harken, O Israel, Deu 4:1. This use we should make of the review of God's providences concerning us, we should by them be quickened and engaged to duty and obedience. The histories of the year”
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