Grounding Analogies and Examples in Scripture Properly
Grounding Analogies and Examples in Scripture Properly
The Bible employs various analogies and examples to convey spiritual truths, making it essential to understand how to ground them properly in Scripture. One common method is to identify recurring imagery and metaphors throughout the biblical text.
The creation narrative in Genesis provides a rich source of analogies, with the image of God forming humanity from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7) being a prime example [1]. This metaphor is later echoed in Psalm 103:14 and Isaiah 64:8, emphasizing humanity's dependence on God. Similarly, the concept of being created in God's image (Genesis 1:26) is reinforced by cross-references to Psalm 8:4, Psalm 100:3, and Colossians 1:15 [2].
Agricultural imagery is another prevalent theme, with passages like Hosea 10:12 using the metaphor of sowing and reaping to convey spiritual principles [5]. The writer of Hebrews also employs this imagery, contrasting productive land with that which bears thorns and thistles (Hebrews 6:7-8) [6]. This analogy is rooted in Old Testament passages such as Isaiah 5:1-7 and is used to illustrate the consequences of apostasy.
The New Testament writers frequently use building and construction metaphors to describe the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, Paul compares the church to a building, with Christ as the foundation and believers as the builders [7]. The quality of the materials used (gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, stubble) determines the reward at the judgment. Similarly, in Ephesians 2:20, the church is described as being "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone" [4].
To properly ground these analogies and examples in Scripture, it is essential to consider their original context and how they are used throughout the biblical narrative. This involves examining the cross-references and connections between different passages, as well as understanding the cultural and historical background in which they were written.
For instance, the image of the cornerstone is used in Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 28:16, before being applied to Christ in the New Testament (Matthew 21:42, 1 Peter 2:6-7) [3]. Recognizing these connections helps to deepen our understanding of the analogies and examples used in Scripture.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 2:7 cross-references: Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:19, Genesis 3:23, Genesis 7:22, Numbers 16:22, Numbers 27:16, Job 4:19, Job 27:3, Job 33:4, Job 33:6, Psalms 100:3, Psalms 103:14, Psalms 139:14, Proverbs 20:27, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Ecclesiastes 3:20, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Isaiah 2:22, Isaiah 64:8, Ezekiel 37:5, Ezekiel 37:6, Zechariah 12:1, John 20:22, Acts 17:25, Romans 9:20, 1 Corinthians 15:45, 1 Corinthians 15:47, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 12:9”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 1:26 cross-references: Genesis 3:22, Genesis 5:1, Genesis 9:2, Genesis 9:6, Genesis 11:7, Job 5:23, Job 35:10, Job 39:11, Psalms 8:4, Psalms 8:7, Psalms 100:3, Psalms 104:20, Psalms 149:2, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 27:6, John 5:17, John 14:23, Acts 17:20, Acts 17:26, Acts 17:28, 1 Corinthians 11:7, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 3:10, Hebrews 2:6, James 3:7, James 3:9, 1 John 5:7”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:20: Translate as Greek, "Built up upon," &c. (participle; having been built up upon; omit, therefore, "and are"). Compare Co1 3:11-12. The same image in Eph 3:18, recurs in his address to the Ephesian elders (Act 20:32), and in his Epistle to Timothy at Ephesus (Ti1 3:15; Ti2 2:19), naturally suggested by the splendid architecture of Diana's temple; the glory of the Christian temple is eternal and real, not mere idolatrous gaud. The image of a building is appropriate also to the Jew-Christians; as the temple at Jerusalem was the stronghold of Judaism; a”
- Hosea (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hosea 10:12: Sow to yourselves in righteousness - Let the seed you sow be of the best kind, and in just measure. Reap in mercy - By the blessing of God on this ploughing, sowing, and harrowing, you may expect a good crop in harvest. Break up your fallow ground - Do not be satisfied with a slight furrow; let the land that was fallowed (slightly ploughed) be broken up again with a deep furrow. For it is time to seek the Lord - This should be immediately done: the season is passing; and if you do not get the seed in the ground, the early rain will be past, and your fields will be u”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:7: 6:7-8 ground: Good, productive land is an image of blessing, contrasted with the curse of unproductive land that bears thorns and thistles. To burn such a field is an image of judgment (2 Sam 23:4-7; Isa 10:17; 33:12; Ezek 19:12-13; Matt 3:10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:9: Translate, as the Greek collocation of words, and the emphasis on "God" thrice repeated, requires, "For (in proof that "each shall receive reward according to his own labor," namely, from God) it is of God that we are the fellow workers (laboring with, but under, and belonging to Him as His servants, Co2 5:20; Co2 6:1; compare Act 15:4; see on Th1 3:2) of God that ye are the field (or tillage), of God that ye are the building" [ALFORD]. "Building" is a new image introduced here, as suited better than that of husbandry, to set forth the different ”