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Evaluating Examples for Consistency with Biblical Doctrine

Evaluating examples for consistency with biblical doctrine involves discerning whether a particular action, belief, or pattern of life aligns with the teachings and principles found in Scripture. This process often requires careful examination of both the example itself and the relevant biblical texts, with Christ serving as the ultimate standard [1, 7, 13].

The Bible frequently presents examples for believers to follow or to avoid. The life of Jesus Christ is consistently held up as the perfect example in numerous aspects. Believers are called to conform to Christ's example in holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16), righteousness (1 John 2:6), purity (1 John 3:3), and love (John 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1 John 3:16) [1]. His humility (Luke 22:27; Phil 2:5, 7), meekness (Matt 11:29), obedience (John 15:10), and self-denial (Matt 16:24; Rom 15:3) are also presented as patterns for Christian living [1, 2]. Christ's diligence in seeking God (Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49) and His sincerity (1 Pet 2:22) further illustrate the comprehensive nature of His example [3, 5]. He exemplified ministering to others (Matt 20:28; John 13:14-15), benevolence (Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 8:7, 9), and forgiving injuries (Col 3:13) [1]. Even in suffering wrongfully, Christ is the example (1 Pet 2:21-22) [1]. The author of Hebrews challenges believers to endure by imitating Jesus, "the supreme example of faithfulness" [13].

Beyond Christ, the Bible offers other examples. Pastors are to be examples to their flocks (Phil 3:17; 2 Thess 3:9; 1 Tim 4:12; 1 Pet 5:3) [6]. The prophets serve as examples of enduring affliction (James 5:10) [6]. Conversely, some examples serve as warnings, such as the Jews in the wilderness (Heb 4:11) [6]. The Old Testament also provides "three Old Testament examples of judgment show that God will vindicate those who remain faithful to him and will condemn those who deny him," including the angels who sinned (Gen 6:1-5) [9].

The process of evaluating examples involves "proving" or "testing" them against biblical standards. Paul exhorts believers to "prove what is acceptable unto the Lord" (Eph 5:10), which involves "accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial" [8]. This suggests an active, discerning engagement with both Scripture and the example in question. John Gill, in his commentary on Philippians 1:10, explains that believers should "approve things that are excellent," or "try things that differ" [12]. This means distinguishing between morality and grace, earthly and heavenly, carnal and spiritual, temporal and eternal, law and Gospel, and the doctrines of men versus the doctrines of Christ [12]. These distinctions are not to be received without examination but should be "examined, which is right and best to be chosen and preferred" [12].

Adam Clarke emphasizes that the "only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ" [7]. He warns against comparing oneself with others, as they are not the standard [7]. This highlights the centrality of Christ's example and the biblical text as the ultimate touchstone for evaluation. The apostle Paul also appeals to the Corinthians' "own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument" concerning participation in idol feasts, asserting that believers cannot divest themselves of the responsibility of "judging" for themselves [10]. This implies that individual believers are expected to exercise discernment.

The concept of "diligence" is also presented with Christ as an example (Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49) [3]. This diligence is required in seeking God (1 Chron 22:19; Heb 11:6), obeying Him (Deut 6:17; 11:13), hearkening to Him (Isa 55:2), striving after perfection (Phil 3:13-14), cultivating Christian graces (2 Pet 1:5), and guarding against defilement (Heb 12:15) [3]. Similarly, "early rising" is presented with Christ as an example (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) and is linked to devotion (Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9) and the discharge of daily duties (Prov 31:15) [4]. These examples demonstrate that biblical consistency extends to practical aspects of daily life, not just abstract theological concepts.

In cases where there might be contention or differing opinions, the apostle Paul appeals to the "universal custom of the churches" (1 Cor 11:16) [11]. This suggests that while individual judgment is important, the broader consensus and practice of the Christian community can also serve as a guide, particularly when an individual might be "contentious and thinks himself right in being so" [11]. However, this appeal to custom is not to override clear biblical teaching but to address disputatiousness within the community.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  2. 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 ”
  3. 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:”
  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. 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; ”
  6. 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).”
  7. 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 ”
  8. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:10: Proving--construed with "walk" (Eph 5:8; Rom 12:1-2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.”
  9. 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 2:4: 2:4-10 Three Old Testament examples of judgment show that God will vindicate those who remain faithful to him and will condemn those who deny him, including the false teachers (see 2:3). 2:4 The first example of judgment is the angels who sinned: The widespread Jewish tradition was that “the sons of God” in Gen 6:1-5 (understood as angels) had intercourse with women and were therefore judged by God at that time (see 1 Enoch 6–10; cp. 1 Pet 3:19-20; Jude 1:6). • in gloomy pits of darkness: This description of the underworld was popular in the ancient world and is p”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:16: A summary close to the argument by appeal to the universal custom of the churches. if any . . . seem--The Greek also means "thinks" (fit) (compare Mat 3:9). If any man chooses (still after all my arguments) to be contentious. If any be contentious and thinks himself right in being so. A reproof of the Corinthians' self-sufficiency and disputatiousness (Co1 1:20). we--apostles: or we of the Jewish nation, from whom ye have received the Gospel, and whose usages in all that is good ye ought to follow: Jewish women veiled themselves when in pub”
  12. Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 1:10: That ye may approve things that are excellent,.... Or "try things that differ". There are some things that differ one from other; as morality and grace, earthly things, and heavenly things, carnal and spiritual, temporal and eternal things, law and Gospel, the doctrines of men, and the doctrines of Christ; all which differ as much as chaff and wheat, as gold, silver, precious stones, and wood, hay, stubble. These are to be tried and proved; they are not to be received without distinction, but should be examined, which is right and best to be chosen and preferred;”
  13. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”
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