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Evaluating Extrabiblical Examples Through Biblical Teaching

The Bible frequently uses examples, both positive and negative, to instruct believers. These examples serve as illustrations, comparisons, and warnings, guiding individuals in their faith and conduct [2, 3].

One significant category of biblical examples is the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is presented as the ultimate example for believers to follow [3]. For instance, Christ's self-denial, as seen in passages like Matthew 4:8-10 and Philippians 2:6-8, is highlighted as a model for devotedness to Him [1]. His actions, such as washing the disciples' feet, are given as an example for how His followers should treat one another (John 13:15) [3]. The Apostle Paul also points to Christ's self-offering as a better sacrifice, accommodating David's words in Psalm 40 to express Christ's sentiments [7].

Beyond Christ, other individuals and groups in Scripture serve as examples. Pastors, for instance, are called to be examples to their flocks (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3) [3]. This includes demonstrating self-denial in their ministry, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:4-5 [1]. The prophets are also presented as examples of patience in suffering affliction (James 5:10) [3].

Conversely, the Bible also provides negative examples, often as warnings. The experiences of the Jews, for example, are cited as a warning against unbelief and disobedience (Hebrews 4:11) [3]. The Old Testament contains numerous instances of God's judgments against nations and individuals, such as pestilence, famine, and destruction, which serve as cautionary tales [4]. The book of 2 Peter, for instance, uses three Old Testament examples of judgment—the angels who sinned (Genesis 6:1-5), the flood, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah—to demonstrate God's vindication of the faithful and condemnation of those who deny Him, including false teachers [6]. These false teachers are described as introducing "damnable heresies" and denying the Lord, leading many astray [8].

The concept of "example" (Greek: parabole) in the New Testament has a broad application, encompassing short proverbs, prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, and expanded metaphors [2]. This wide scope allows for diverse forms of instruction through illustrative narratives and comparisons. The purpose of these examples is not merely to inform but to provoke a response, whether it be imitation, repentance, or steadfastness.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses examples to make theological arguments. In 1 Corinthians, he appeals to the Corinthians' own judgment to understand that partaking in the Lord's Supper signifies fellowship with Christ, just as partaking in idol feasts implies fellowship with demons [10]. He also emphasizes that his preaching focused on "Christ crucified," not on worldly wisdom, setting an example for how the Gospel should be proclaimed [9].

The New Covenant itself is presented as a superior example to the Old Covenant. The author of Hebrews notes that the New Covenant is "very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant," which only brought wrath due to human disobedience. The new covenant, by contrast, enables obedience through the Spirit's inward impulse and the forgiveness of sins [5]. This highlights a progression in God's redemptive plan, with the New Covenant serving as a more perfect example of His grace.

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. 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”
  3. 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).”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgments — Are from God -- De 32:39; Job 12:23; Am 3:6; Mic 6:9. Different kinds of Blotting out the name. -- De 29:20. Abandonment by God. -- Ho 4:17. Cursing men's blessings. -- Mal 2:2. Pestilence. -- De 28:21,22; Am 4:10. Enemies. -- 2Sa 24:13. Famine. -- De 28:38-40; Am 4:7-9. Famine of hearing the word. -- Am 8:11. The sword. -- Ex 22:24; Jer 19:7. Captivity. -- De 28:41; Eze 39:23. Continued sorrows. -- Ps 32:10; 78:32,33; Eze 24:23. Desolation. -- Eze 33:29; Joe 3:19. Destruction. -- Job 31:3; Ps 34:16; Pr 2:22; Isa 11:4. Inflicted upon Nations. -- Ge 15:14;”
  5. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 8:9: Not according to, &c.--very different from, and far superior to, the old covenant, which only "worked wrath" (Rom 4:15) through man's "not regarding" it. The new covenant enables us to obey by the Spirit's inward impulse producing love because of the forgiveness of our sins. made with--rather as Greek, "made to": the Israelites being only recipients, not coagents [ALFORD] with God. I took them by the hand--as a father takes his child by the hand to support and guide his steps. "There are three periods: (1) that of the promise; (2) that of the pedag”
  6. 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”
  7. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 40 (introduction): In this Psalm a celebration of God's deliverance is followed by a profession of devotion to His service. Then follows a prayer for relief from imminent dangers, involving the overthrow of enemies and the rejoicing of sympathizing friends. In Heb 10:5, &c., Paul quotes Psa 40:6-8 as the words of Christ, offering Himself as a better sacrifice. Some suppose Paul thus accommodated David's words to express Christ's sentiments. But the value of his quotation would be thus destroyed, as it would have no force in his argument, unless regarded by h”
  8. 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 PETER 2 This chapter contains a description of false teachers, that were then in Christian churches, as there had been false prophets among the Jews; and they are described by the doctrines, which they privily introduced; in general, damnable heresies; in particular, denying the Lord that bought them; and by their success, having many followers of them in their pernicious ways; and by the sad effects following hereupon; with respect to the way of truth, that was blasphemed; with respect to their hearers, they, through the covetousness ”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2 (introduction): PAUL'S SUBJECT OF PREACHING, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, NOT IN WORLDLY, BUT IN HEAVENLY, WISDOM AMONG THE PERFECT. (1Co. 2:1-16) And I--"So I" [CONYBEARE] as one of the "foolish, weak, and despised" instruments employed by God (Co1 1:27-28); "glorying in the Lord," not in man's wisdom (Co1 1:31). Compare Co1 1:23, "We." when I came-- (Act 18:1, &c.). Paul might, had he pleased, have used an ornate style, having studied secular learning at Tarsus of Cilicia, which STRABO preferred as a school of learning to Athens or Alexandria; here, doubt”
  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”
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