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Scriptural Background of the Example and Authorial Intent

The concept of an "example" in biblical literature often refers to a pattern of behavior or a life that serves as a model for others, either to emulate or to avoid. This idea is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, with Christ himself being presented as the ultimate example for believers [11].

The Old Testament provides numerous figures whose lives are held up as examples. Abraham, for instance, is noted for his early rising in executing God's commands [2]. Other figures like Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David are also cited for their diligence, often demonstrated through practices like early rising [2]. These examples illustrate spiritual diligence and obedience to God's will [2]. The book of Ezekiel, for example, illustrates God's impartiality through a series of hypothetical cases, highlighting how a "just man" distinguishes himself by guarding against the specific temptations and defilements of his age [9]. This suggests that the lives of biblical figures serve as practical illustrations of righteousness in specific contexts.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is consistently presented as the supreme example for believers in various aspects of life. His actions and attitudes are frequently cited as models to follow. For instance, Christ set an example of early rising, demonstrating its importance for devotion [2]. He also exemplified resignation to God's will, particularly in moments of intense suffering and the prospect of death, as seen in Gethsemane and his acceptance of the cross [3]. His intercessory prayer for others, including his disciples and even his persecutors, is another example believers are commanded to follow [4]. Furthermore, Christ's forgiveness of injuries, even from the cross, serves as the ultimate pattern for believers to forgive others without limit [5]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy, presents himself as a "pattern" of God's mercy and long-suffering, particularly given his past as a persecutor, to assure others of God's grace [8].

The authorial intent behind presenting these examples is multifaceted. One primary purpose is didactic, providing clear models for ethical and spiritual conduct. The examples of Christ's patience under undeserved suffering, for instance, are presented as acceptable to God and something believers are "called" to [11]. The command to forgive injuries is directly linked to Christ's example and God's mercy towards believers [5].

Another aspect of authorial intent is to demonstrate God's consistent character and his dealings with humanity. The "forewritten" judgments against apostate angels, disobedient Israelites, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah serve as examples of God's character as the punisher of sin [7]. Similarly, the prophetic conception of the Messiah's work, as shown in the Old Testament, was intended to demonstrate that salvation would extend to the Gentiles, not just the Jews, allowing them to "glorify God for his mercy" [10]. This foresight in Scripture, as noted in the commentary on Galatians, addresses potential controversies with "prescient wisdom," deciding matters in the most appropriate language [6].

The concept of "offence" or "stumbling block" also highlights the importance of example, albeit in a negative sense. The Bible warns against causing others to stumble, forbidding actions that lead to offense [1]. Christ himself became a stumbling block to some due to his low station, his identity as the cornerstone, and his teachings [1]. This underscores the careful consideration of how one's actions might be perceived and impact others, reinforcing the idea that one's life serves as an example, whether positive or negative.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Offence — Occasions of, must arrive -- Mt 18:7. Occasions of, forbidden -- 1Co 10:32; 2Co 6:3. Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors -- Mt 13:21; 24:10; 26:31. The wicked take, at The low station of Christ. -- Isa 53:1-3; Mt 13:54-57. Christ, as the corner-stone. -- Isa 8:14; Ro 9:33; 1Pe 2:8. Christ, as the bread of life. -- Joh 6:58-61. Christ crucified. -- 1Co 1:23; Ga 5:11. The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 9:32. The necessity of inward purity. -- Mt 15:11,12. Blessedness of not taking, at Christ -- Mt 11:6. Saints warned against taking -- Joh 16:1. Saints ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
  6. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 3:8: And--Greek, "Moreover." foreseeing--One great excellency of Scripture is, that in it all points liable ever to be controverted, are, with prescient wisdom, decided in the most appropriate language. would justify--rather, "justifieth." Present indicative. It is now, and at all times, God's one way of justification. the heathen--rather, "the Gentiles"; or "the nations," as the same Greek is translated at the end of the verse. God justifieth the Jews, too, "by faith, not by works." But he specifies the Gentiles in particular here, as it was their ”
  7. Jude (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jude 1:4: certain men--implying disparagement. crept in unawares--stealthily and unlawfully. See on Pe2 2:1, "privily shall bring in damnable heresies." before . . . ordained--Greek, "forewritten," namely, in Peter's prophecy Jde 1:17-18; and in Paul's before that, Ti1 4:1; Ti2 3:1; and by implication in the judgments which overtook the apostate angels. The disobedient Israelites, Sodom and Gomorrah, Balaam and Core, and which are written "for an example" (Jde 1:7, and Jde 1:5-6, Jde 1:11). God's eternal character as the Punisher of sin, as set forth in Scriptu”
  8. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 1:16: Howbeit--Greek, "But"; contrasting his own conscious sinfulness with God's gracious visitation of him in mercy. for this cause--for this very purpose. that in me--in my case. first--"foremost." As I was "foremost" (Greek for chief, Ti1 1:15) in sin, so God has made me the "foremost" sample of mercy. show--to His own glory (the middle Greek, voice), Eph 2:7. all long-suffering--Greek, "the whole (of His) long-suffering," namely, in bearing so long with me while I was a persecutor. a pattern--a sample (Co1 10:6, Co1 10:11) to assure the gr”
  9. Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 18:5: Here begins the illustration of God's impartiality in a series of supposed cases. The first case is given in Eze 18:5-9, the just man. The excellencies are selected in reference to the prevailing sins of the age, from which such a one stood aloof; hence arises the omission of some features of righteousness, which, under different circumstances, would have been desirable to be enumerated. Each age has its own besetting temptations, and the just man will be distinguished by his guarding against the peculiar defilements, inward and outward, of his age. ”
  10. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: against” a person, same word as “alienation” just before. 1633 The quotations in the passage on which this homily is based are all taken from the LXX. with a few trifling verbal changes. They are designed to show that the prophetic conception of the Messiah’s work contemplated salvation for the Gentiles, so that Christ was not to be merely a “minister of the circumcision,” but that he is to bring through the Jews salvation to the Gentiles so that they shall “glorify God for his mercy” ( 9 ). The passages in the O.T. relate primarily either to the Psa”
  11. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
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