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Non-Scriptural Examples as Wisdom in Christian Living

Christian wisdom for living is primarily rooted in the Scriptures, which are considered inspired by God and able to make one wise unto salvation through faith [6, 14]. However, the Bible also presents numerous examples of individuals and even Christ himself as models for Christian conduct, offering non-scriptural examples that guide believers in practical living.

The person of Christ stands as the preeminent example for Christian living. He exemplified sincerity, meekness, self-denial, and diligence [3, 4, 7, 8]. For instance, Christ's meekness is highlighted in passages like Matthew 11:29 and 1 Peter 2:21-23, where he is presented as the ultimate model [4]. His self-denial is seen in his willingness to forgo worldly power and comfort, as described in Matthew 4:8-10 and Philippians 2:6-8 [7]. Similarly, his diligence in carrying out his Father's will is noted in Mark 1:35 and Luke 2:49 [8]. These aspects of Christ's character are not merely abstract theological concepts but concrete patterns for believers to emulate.

Beyond Christ, the New Testament frequently calls for believers to be examples to one another. Peter exhorts elders not to lord over God's heritage but to be "examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3) [1]. Ministers, in particular, are encouraged to be examples of sincerity (Titus 2:7) [3]. This emphasis on personal example extends to the broader Christian community, where individuals are to "put on" meekness and exhibit it in their conduct (Colossians 3:12-13, James 3:13) [4]. The concept of "prudence" is also connected with wisdom, exemplified by Christ and characteristic of the wise who understand God's ways and look well to their goings (Proverbs 8:12, 14:15, 16:21) [2].

The wisdom imparted through these examples is not merely "wisdom of words" that might make the cross of Christ void (1 Corinthians 1:17) [5]. Instead, it is a practical wisdom that guides daily actions and interactions. This practical Christian prudence is essential for believers in their dealings with those outside the Christian brotherhood, encouraging them to "redeem the time" and avoid being a stumbling block to conversion (Colossians 4:5) [15].

The fear of the Lord is a foundational element of this wisdom, counteracting inner turmoil and bringing peace (Proverbs 15:16) [11]. It is a wisdom that enables individuals to understand their own ways and foresee and avoid evil (Proverbs 14:8, 22:3) [2]. This fear of the Lord is contrasted with the fear of people; fearing the Lord makes Him a sanctuary, while fearing people can lead to destruction (Isaiah 8:11-15) [9, 10]. To "sanctify" or honor God's holy name means regarding Him as the only hope of safety, and fearing Him prevents provoking His wrath through fear of man [12].

Early Christian thinkers also emphasized the importance of Christ's example. John Chrysostom, for instance, highlighted Christ's "example of patient endurance" [13]. He also noted that the grace of the Spirit descends upon those who are justified by faith, with the Cross removing the curse and faith bringing in righteousness, which then draws the grace of the Spirit [16]. This suggests a dynamic interplay between Christ's example, faith, and the indwelling Spirit in shaping Christian living.

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 5:3 (Webster) — Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being examples to the flock.”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  5. 1 Corinthians “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void. -- 1 Corinthians 1:17”
  6. 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”
  7. 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 ”
  8. 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:”
  9. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:11: 8:11-15 This text reveals the heart of Isaiah’s message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see 7:9; 8:6). When an individual fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (cp. Prov 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured.”
  10. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
  11. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
  12. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 538 ; values men's souls as His purchase, 524 ; makes God's wisdom apparent, 535 ; His example of patient endurance, 536 ; He executes punishment, 34 ; His passion foretold, 55 ; and the punishment denounced, 58 ; "the Prophet like unto Moses," 55 ; and more than Moses, 59 ; "The Prince of Life," 57 ; works "by the Spirit of God," 72 ; "sent from God," 37 sq. ; in what sense He "knew not that day and hour," 12 ; the Angel in the burning bush, 103 ; Giver of the Law, 107 ; unwritten sayings of, 214 . Christians, to fight the good fight, 154 ; and so w”
  14. 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 3:15: from a child--literally, "from an infant." The tender age of the first dawn of reason is that wherein the most lasting impressions of faith may be made. holy scriptures--The Old Testament taught by his Jewish mother. An undesigned coincidence with Ti2 1:5; Act 16:1-3. able--in themselves: though through men's own fault they often do not in fact make men savingly alive. wise unto salvation--that is, wise unto the attainment of salvation. Contrast "folly" (Ti2 3:9). Wise also in extending it to others. through faith--as the instrument of this ”
  15. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 4:5: (See on Eph 5:15-16.) in wisdom--practical Christian prudence. them . . . without--Those not in the Christian brotherhood (Co1 5:12; Th1 4:12). The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an indiscreet act or word of a brother; the world will make none. Therefore be the more on your guard in your intercourse with the latter, lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion. redeeming the time--The Greek expresses, buying up for yourselves, and buying off from worldly vanities the opportunity, whenever it is afforded you, of good to y”
  16. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: back to the subject of verse 2 : the gift of the Holy Ghost came through faith in Christ.”—Ellicott.—G.A.] As the grace of the Spirit could not possibly descend on the graceless and offending, they are first blessed the curse having been removed; then being justified by faith, they draw unto themselves the grace of the Spirit. Thus the Cross removed the curse, Faith brought in righteousness, righteousness drew on the grace of the Spirit. Ver. 15 . “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet ”
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