Practically Testing Analogies and Examples Against Scripture

The use of analogies and examples is a crucial aspect of Christian teaching and preaching, as it helps to illustrate complex theological concepts and make them more relatable to everyday life. However, it is essential to test these analogies and examples against Scripture to ensure they accurately convey biblical truth.

The Bible itself provides guidance on the importance of testing and examining one's understanding and actions. In Psalms 26:2, the psalmist asks God to "Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart" ^[5]. This verse highlights the need for self-examination and testing against God's standards.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against putting God to the test, citing Deuteronomy 6:16 ^[7]. This caution emphasizes the importance of approaching Scripture with humility and a willingness to be taught, rather than trying to manipulate or test God's will.

When using analogies and examples, it is crucial to ensure they are grounded in Scripture. For instance, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides numerous cross-references for various biblical passages, demonstrating how different parts of Scripture relate to one another ^{[1, 2, 3]}. By examining these cross-references, one can develop a more comprehensive understanding of biblical teachings and ensure that analogies and examples are consistent with Scripture.

John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and meaning of Scripture. In his homilies on Matthew, he notes that the Greek text provides valuable insights into the meaning of the passage ^[8]. Similarly, when using analogies and examples, it is essential to consider the original context and meaning of the biblical text.

The use of analogies and examples can be seen in various biblical passages. For example, in Matthew 6:13, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" ^[10]. This passage highlights the importance of relying on God's power to resist temptation. James 4:7 also encourages believers to "submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" ^[4]. These passages demonstrate how biblical teachings can be illustrated through analogies and examples.

To practically test analogies and examples against Scripture, one should:

Ground analogies and examples in Scripture, ensuring they are consistent with biblical teachings.
Examine the original context and meaning of the biblical text.
Consider the cross-references and connections between different parts of Scripture.
Approach Scripture with humility and a willingness to be taught.

By following these steps, Christians can develop a deeper understanding of biblical teachings and ensure that their use of analogies and examples is faithful to Scripture. As John Gill notes, the word of God is the standard of faith and practice, and it is essential to examine one's understanding and actions against this standard ^[5].

The early Christian fathers, such as John Chrysostom, provide valuable insights into the interpretation and application of Scripture. Their writings demonstrate the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of the biblical text ^{[6, 8, 9]}. By considering the perspectives of these early interpreters, Christians can gain a richer understanding of biblical teachings and develop more effective analogies and examples.

Sources

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:17 cross-references: Genesis 41:38, 1 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 24:7, Psalms 24:10, Psalms 29:3, Proverbs 2:5, Isaiah 11:2, Jeremiah 2:11, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 5:11, Daniel 10:1, Matthew 6:13, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 11:27, Matthew 16:17, Matthew 20:33, Luke 2:14, Luke 12:12, Luke 21:15, John 8:54, John 14:17, John 14:26, John 16:3, John 17:3, John 17:25, John 20:17, Acts 6:10, Acts 7:2, Romans 1:28, Romans 15:6, 1 Corinthians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 14:6, 2 Corinthians 12:1, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 3:5,”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:3 cross-references: Genesis 5:3, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21, Job 14:4, Job 15:14, Job 25:4, Psalms 51:5, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6, Daniel 9:5, Mark 4:19, Mark 7:21, John 1:13, John 3:1, John 8:44, Acts 14:16, Acts 17:30, Romans 1:24, Romans 3:9, Romans 3:22, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:12, Romans 7:18, Romans 8:7, Romans 9:22, Romans 11:30, Romans 13:14, 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 2:15, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 4:17, Ephesians 4:22, 1 Timothy 6:9, Titus 3:3, James 4:1, 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 2:10, 1 Peter 4:2, 2 Peter ”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:7 cross-references: Exodus 34:7, Job 33:24, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 130:4, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 9:9, Daniel 9:19, Daniel 9:24, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 9:11, Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 1:77, Luke 7:40, Luke 7:47, Luke 24:47, John 20:23, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 20:28, Romans 2:4, Romans 3:24, Romans 4:6, Romans 9:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “James 4:7 cross-references: 1 Samuel 3:18, 2 Samuel 15:26, 2 Kings 1:13, 2 Chronicles 30:8, 2 Chronicles 33:12, Job 1:21, Job 40:3, Job 42:1, Psalms 32:3, Psalms 66:3, Psalms 68:30, Jeremiah 13:18, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 4:34, Matthew 4:3, Matthew 11:29, Luke 4:2, Acts 9:6, Acts 16:29, Acts 26:19, Romans 10:3, Romans 14:11, Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 5:21, Ephesians 6:11, Hebrews 12:9, 1 Peter 2:13, 1 Peter 5:6, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:2: Examine me, O Lord,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; and prove me; or "tempt me" (r); as Abraham was tempted by the Lord; and his faith in him, and fear of him, and love to him, were proved to be true and genuine; try my reins and my heart; the thoughts, desires, and affections of it, as gold and silver are tried in the furnace; and so God sometimes tries the faith and patience of his people by afflictive providences; and this examin”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: particular words and constructions, as of the general cast, both of the phraseology and the structure of the sentences; but that this similarity arises, not from the identity of the writers, but from the fact that both wrote in somewhat better Greek than is found in the rest of the New Testament. The grammars of the New Testament Greek continually refer to the fact, that certain classical constructions are found only, or at least more frequently, in these writers than elsewhere. But this does not prove more than that the author of this Epistle, as m”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:9: 10:9 Nor . . . put Christ to the test: See Deut 6:16; Ps 78:18-20; Matt 4:7. • Christ: Some manuscripts read the Lord, which probably represents a scribe’s attempt to harmonize with the Old Testament context.”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew: Owing to his ignorance of Hebrew, Chrysostom was not properly equipped for the work of expounding the Old Testament. He treats the LXX. as though it were of final authority, save in a few instances where the variations of other Greek versions have occasioned discussion. Frequently he makes use of verbal suggestions of the Greek that have no warrant in the Hebrew text. Yet, where he is not thus misled, his comments on the Old Testament present the same characteristics as those on the New. The most marked peculiarity of Chrysostom as an exegete is his compar”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: not tempt Providence, ib. ; as the Pilot of the ship, i.e. of the Church, still with us, 318 ; did not prophecy nor work miracles for display, 319 ; affected as man by the sight of the brethren, 320 ; twice prisoner at Rome--his history after the first imprisonment, why not related in the Acts, 326 ; refutes his enemies by the Law and the Prophets, 326 ; his desire to see Rome, 327 ; said to have converted Nero's concubine, 281 ; came to Rome again a prisoner, 327 ; eulogy of, ib. ; his purity and depth, ib. ; to understand him and his writings, a pu”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:13: 6:13 And don’t let us yield to temptation: Just as Jesus was tested (4:1-11), temptation will test the disciple’s character. Jesus urges prayer for God’s enabling to stand the test (see 26:41; Ps 141:4). • from the evil one: Or from evil. The alternate reading refers to sin in general; the NLT reading refers to Satan, the tempter (see Jas 1:13). • The doxology appended to some manuscripts was added later (probably based on 1 Chr 29:11-13) to tailor the prayer to the liturgy.”

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