Examining Examples in Light of Scripture for Biblical Harmony
Scripture consistently presents examples of faithful living as patterns for believers to follow, grounding this practice in both Old and New Testament texts. The apostle Peter writes that "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21), while Jesus himself commanded, "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15) [2]. These examples extend beyond Christ to include pastors modeling godliness for their congregations (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3), and even the prophets as examples of patient suffering (James 5:10) [2].
The Pattern of Christ's Example
Christ's example establishes the standard for conformity in holiness, righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, obedience, self-denial, and benevolence [3]. Believers are called to imitate Christ in ministering to others (Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15), forgiving injuries (Colossians 3:13), and overcoming the world (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4) [3]. This conformity extends to suffering wrongfully, where Christ's guileless response provides the template for enduring unjust treatment [3].
Biblical Harmony Through Mutual Edification
The pursuit of biblical harmony finds expression in Paul's exhortation: "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" [4]. Psalm 133:1 celebrates this unity: "See how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to be living together in harmony!" [1]. The psalm's imagery of brothers dwelling together "even as one" emphasizes not merely the absence of conflict but active mutual delight and service [10]. According to Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, such peaceful and harmonious relationships manifest the presence of God, with "brothers" understood as those related by blood, profession, or commitment [6].
Communion and Conformity
Fitness for communion with God correlates directly with conformity to His law [5]. Those who dwell in God's courts and experience satisfaction with His goodness demonstrate this communion through their conduct [7]. The connection between reconciliation with God and acceptable worship appears throughout Scripture: when God is reconciled, material sacrifices become acceptable, as Isaiah 1:11-17 illustrates [8]. This principle extends to the mutual reconciliation Christ's kingdom produces, where metaphorical language describes how the gospel leads people "through mutual kindness, to become reconciled to each other" [9].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 133:1 (BBE) — See how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to be living together in harmony!”
- 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).”
- 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. --”
- King James Version “[KJV] Romans 14:19 — Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 15 (introduction): Those who are fit for communion with God may be known by a conformity to His law, which is illustrated in various important particulars. (Psa 15:1-5) abide--or, "sojourn" (compare Psa 5:4), where it means under God's protection here, as (Psa 23:6, Psa 27:4, Psa 27:6) communion. tabernacle--seat of the ark (Sa2 6:17), the symbol of God's presence. holy hill--(Compare Psa 2:6).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 133:1: Ps 133 In this wisdom psalm (see Ps 1), peaceful and harmonious relationships manifest the presence of God. 133:1-2 The psalmist tells of the joy of consecrated relationships. 133:1 Brothers are related by blood, by profession, or by commitment.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 65:4: dwell in thy courts; . . . [and] satisfied with the goodness . . . temple--denote communion with God (Psa 15:1; Psa 23:6; compare Psa 5:7). This is a blessing for all God's people, as denoted by the change of number.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 51:19: God reconciled, material sacrifices will be acceptable (Psa 4:5; compare Isa 1:11-17). Next: Psalms Chapter 52”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 8.16: sword.” But it is easy to reply to this; for the Prophet speaks metaphorically about the kingdom of Christ, which leads men, through mutual kindness, to become reconciled to each other. The Scriptures frequently employ a metaphor, in which the thing signified is denoted by a sign; as in that passage, He who hath not a sword, let him buy one. ( Luke 22:36 .) Christ certainly did not intend to induce his followers to fight, but intimated that the time of war was at hand. 0n the other hand, we are told that swords shall cease to exist, or shall ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 133:1: Here see, I. What it is that is commended - brethren's dwelling together in unity, not only not quarrelling, and devouring one another, but delighting in each other with mutual endearments, and promoting each other's welfare with mutual services. Sometimes it is chosen, as the best expedient for preserving peace, that brethren should live asunder and at a distance from each other; that indeed may prevent enmity and strife (Gen 13:9), but the goodness and pleasantness are for brethren to dwell together and so to dwell in unity, to dwell even as one (so some read i”