Evaluating Examples Through the Lens of Scripture
Evaluating examples through the lens of Scripture involves understanding the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God, which provides guidance for belief and conduct. The Scriptures are described as "given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16) and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:16; 2 Peter 1:21) [1]. This divine origin means that the Bible is considered the ultimate standard for assessing all other examples, whether historical, personal, or cultural.
The Bible itself presents numerous examples for believers to follow or avoid. Christ is presented as the ultimate example of diligence, as seen in passages like Mark 1:35 and Luke 2:49 [2]. Believers are called to imitate Christ's diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, and guarding their hearts [2]. Beyond Christ, the Scriptures offer accounts of individuals whose lives serve as both positive and negative examples. For instance, the diligence required by God is illustrated through figures like David (1 Chronicles 22:19) and through general exhortations to "follow every good work" (1 Timothy 5:10) and to "make our call, &c, sure" (2 Peter 1:10) [2].
The practice of reading and interpreting Scripture was central to both Jewish and early Christian communities. The public reading of Scripture, transferred from the synagogue to the Christian church, indicates its foundational role in shaping understanding and behavior [4]. The New Testament Gospels and Epistles were recognized as inspired and read alongside the Old Testament [4]. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 119:125, describes the "testimonies" (Scriptures) as "wonderful" because they testify of God, His will, and provide accounts of creation, providence, and miracles, all of which offer instruction and insight [3].
When evaluating examples, the "lens of Scripture" implies a process of discernment rooted in biblical principles. This means comparing actions, teachings, and attitudes against the revealed character of God and His commands. The Bible is referred to as "the Word," "Word of God," "Word of Christ," and "Word of truth," emphasizing its authoritative nature [1]. It is also called "Holy Scriptures" and "Scripture of truth" [1]. This authoritative status means that any example, whether from within or outside the biblical narrative, must be weighed against what the Scriptures teach.
The effectiveness of Scripture lies in its divine inspiration, described as "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) [5]. This concept affirms that God is fully responsible for the content of Scripture, even while acknowledging the active involvement of human authors [5]. This divine origin ensures that Scripture is not merely a collection of human writings but a reliable guide for life and doctrine. Therefore, when evaluating examples, one is not simply comparing them to ancient texts, but to the very utterance of God.
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”
- 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:”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”