Non-Scriptural Examples Illuminating Biblical Concepts and Principles
Scripture itself employs non-scriptural examples to illuminate divine truth. When the author of Hebrews writes that "by faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible" [1], he invites readers to consider the visible creation as evidence of invisible realities. This pattern—drawing on observable phenomena to clarify spiritual principles—appears throughout the biblical text and the interpretive tradition that follows.
The Biblical Precedent
The Scriptures regularly use natural phenomena as teaching instruments. Light, for instance, serves both as a physical reality and a theological metaphor. God created light and separated it from darkness [2], yet Scripture also employs light as an emblem of the Holy Spirit's work—illuminating, searching, and purifying [3]. The physical properties of light (its brightness, diffusiveness, and utility) become vehicles for understanding spiritual illumination. Similarly, water functions as both a created element and an emblem of the Spirit's cleansing, fertilizing, and refreshing work [3].
The interpretive tradition recognizes this method as divinely sanctioned. One commentary notes that "the entrance of God's word gives light" and serves "as a light in a dark place," using the metaphor of physical illumination to explain how Scripture enlightens the understanding [6]. This approach mirrors the biblical pattern of comparing spiritual realities with observable phenomena.
Pedagogical Function
Non-scriptural examples serve to make abstract doctrines concrete. The formation of things "which had no previous existence" [4] becomes comprehensible when we consider that God spoke creation into being "by the command of God" [4], a concept reinforced by observing that visible things point to an invisible Creator [1]. The tradition of comparing spiritual things with spiritual—"expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel" [5]—extends naturally to comparing spiritual truths with created realities.
Job's counsel applies here: "Instead of arraigning, let it be thy fixed principle to magnify God in His works," for "these, which all may 'see,' may convince us that what we do not see is altogether wise and good" [7]. The visible order testifies to invisible wisdom, making non-scriptural examples not merely permissible but pedagogically necessary for grasping truths that transcend immediate experience.
Sources
- Hebrews “By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. -- Hebrews 11:3”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Light — God the only source of -- Jas 1:17. Created by God -- Ge 1:3; Isa 45:7. Separated from darkness -- Ge 1:4. Sun, moon, and stars appointed to communicate to the earth -- Ge 1:14-17; Jer 31:35. Divided into Natural. -- Job 24:14; Isa 5:30. Extraordinary or miraculous. -- Ex 14:20; Ps 78:14; Ac 9:3; 12:7. Artificial. -- Jer 25:10; Ac 16:29. Communicated to the body through the eye -- Pr 15:30; Mt 6:22. Described as White and pure. -- Mt 17:2. Bright. -- Job 37:21. Shining. -- 2Sa 23:4; Job 41:18. Diffusive. -- Job 25:3; 36:30. Useful and precious. -- Ec 2:13. Ag”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Emblems of the Holy Spirit, The — Water -- Joh 3:5; 7:38,39. Cleansing. -- Eze 16:9; 36:25; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22. Fertilising. -- Ps 1:3; Isa 27:3,6; 44:3,4; 58:11. Refreshing. -- Ps 46:4; Isa 41:17,18. Abundant. -- Joh 7:37,38. Freely given. -- Isa 55:1; Joh 4:14; Re 22:17. Fire Purifying. -- Isa 4:4; Mal 3:2,3. Illuminating. -- Ex 13:21; Ps 78:14. Searching. -- Zep 1:12; 1Co 2:10. Wind Independent. -- Joh 3:8; 1Co 12:11. Powerful. -- 1Ki 19:11; Ac 2:2. Sensible in its effects. -- Joh 3:8. Reviving. -- Eze 37:9,10,14. Oil -- Ps 45:7. Healing. -- Lu 10:34; Re 3:18. Co”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- 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:”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:130: Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begi”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 36:24: Instead of arraigning, let it be thy fixed principle to magnify God in His works (Psa 111:2-8; Rev 15:3); these, which all may "see," may convince us that what we do not see is altogether wise and good (Rom 1:20). behold--As "see" (Job 36:25), shows; not, as MAURER, "sing," laud (see on Job 33:27).”