Evaluating Non-Biblical Examples for Consistency with Scripture
Scripture itself provides the standard by which all teaching, tradition, and example must be measured. Paul commends the Bereans for examining "the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11), establishing the pattern that even apostolic preaching required verification against revealed truth. The Scriptures are "given by inspiration of God" and "given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [1], making them the authoritative touchstone for evaluating any claim or practice.
The Primacy of Biblical Authority
When assessing non-biblical examples—whether from church tradition, contemporary teaching, or personal experience—the test is consistency with the whole counsel of Scripture. Paul warns against being "carried aside" by "divers and strange doctrines" that differ from "the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ" [2]. The criterion is not novelty or popularity but alignment with what has been "taught by them who had the rule over you" [2] in accordance with Scripture.
The process requires comparing spiritual things with spiritual [4]. This means expounding Scripture by Scripture, allowing clearer passages to illuminate more difficult ones, and testing interpretations against the broader biblical witness. When John Gill discusses the "word of prophecy," he notes that comparison must be made between testimony and Scripture, not between Scripture and unreliable sources [5]. The sacred writings possess inherent authority that demands they serve as the measuring standard, not the measured.
Practical Application
Examining one's conduct requires using "the words and example of Christ" as the touchstone [3]. The standard is not comparison with other believers—"they are not his standard"—but conformity to Christ as revealed in Scripture [3]. This prevents the error of deriving consolation from relative righteousness rather than biblical faithfulness.
The universal custom of the churches [6] provides secondary guidance, but even established practice must yield to scriptural warrant. Paul's appeal to church custom in 1 Corinthians 11:16 follows extensive biblical argumentation; custom reinforces but does not replace scriptural reasoning. Similarly, Old Testament types and prophecies find their fulfillment and interpretation in the Gospel [4], demonstrating how earlier revelation illuminates later without contradicting it.
The test, then, is straightforward: Does the example, teaching, or practice align with Scripture's explicit commands, reflect its principles, and harmonize with its overall testimony? Where Scripture speaks clearly, it governs absolutely. Where it remains silent, wisdom drawn from biblical principles—not mere human tradition—must guide judgment.
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”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- 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 ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”
- 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”