Scripture's Role in Evaluating Examples and Analogies

The Bible, understood as divinely inspired, serves as the ultimate standard for evaluating all examples and analogies, including those found within its own pages ^[2]. This principle stems from the belief that "Every Scripture" is "given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16), making it authoritative and true ^[8]. Therefore, any illustration or comparison, whether from common experience or from the biblical text itself, must align with the broader teachings and truths revealed in Scripture.

The New Testament uses the Greek word parabole (parable), which signifies "placing beside or together, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another" ^[1]. This broad definition means that parables can range from short proverbs to dark prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, or expanded metaphors ^[1]. While these forms of communication are illustrative, their interpretation and application are always subject to the overarching truth of God's Word.

Biblical examples and analogies are not self-interpreting in isolation; they are part of a larger, coherent revelation. John Calvin, in his commentaries, frequently refers to specific Scripture passages to support his interpretations, demonstrating a reliance on the interconnectedness of the biblical text ^{[5, 6, 10, 11, 12]}. For instance, when discussing the wisdom of the world, John Gill cross-references a passage from Psalms (Psalm 94:11) to confirm and illustrate the point that "the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain" ^[9]. This practice highlights how one part of Scripture can illuminate and validate another, ensuring that interpretations remain consistent with the divine message.

The authority of Scripture is foundational to this evaluative process. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them, as seen in passages like Matthew 4:4, Mark 12:10, and John 7:42 ^[2]. He also taught out of them, as recorded in Luke 24:27 ^[2]. This demonstrates that even the Son of God submitted to and upheld the authority of the written Word. The Bible is referred to as "the Word," "Word of God," "Word of Christ," "Word of truth," "Holy Scriptures," and "Scripture of truth," emphasizing its divine origin and reliability ^[2].

When encountering examples or analogies, whether within or outside the biblical text, one must assess their congruence with the explicit teachings of Scripture. For example, if an analogy is drawn to explain a theological concept, its validity depends on whether it accurately reflects what the Bible teaches about that concept. If an analogy suggests a contradiction with a clear biblical doctrine, it must be rejected or re-evaluated. This is not merely about finding proof texts but about understanding the overall theological framework presented in the Bible.

The careful study of Scripture involves understanding its context and original meaning. John Chrysostom, for instance, paid close attention to "particular words and constructions, as of the general cast, both of the phraseology and the structure of the sentences" when interpreting biblical texts ^[4]. He also noted differences between the Septuagint and Hebrew numbering of Psalms, indicating a scholarly approach to the text ^[7]. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that interpretations of examples and analogies are grounded in the actual words of Scripture rather than speculative readings.

The role of Scripture in evaluating examples and analogies extends to understanding the nature of God, humanity, salvation, and ethics. For instance, the concept of redemption, illustrated by numerous Old Testament types and New Testament events, is consistently defined by passages such as Exodus 34:7, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 43:25, and Ephesians 1:7, among many others ^[3]. Any analogy attempting to explain redemption must align with these scriptural definitions, emphasizing God's mercy, forgiveness, and the atoning work of Christ.

Furthermore, the Bible provides examples of both positive and negative conduct, serving as warnings and models. These narratives, while illustrative, are not to be taken as absolute moral guides without careful consideration of their context and the broader ethical teachings of Scripture. For instance, while certain actions of biblical figures might be described, their moral rectitude is always judged against God's revealed law.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
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”
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”
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”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.5: more recently been subjected. Still his verbal criticisms are neither few nor unimportant, though he lays comparatively little stress upon them himself. 5 5 The reader is referred, for full information on this subject, to a small volume entitled, “The Merits of Calvin as an Interpreter of the Holy Scriptures,” by Professor Tholuck of Halle. To which are added, “Opinions and Testimonies of Foreign and British Divines and Scholars as to the Importance of the Writings of John Calvin.” With a Preface by the Revelation William Pringle. ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: sections are numbered throughout: where the division seemed to be inconvenient, the number is given in the margin. In the earlier Homilies a second series of numbers is employed to mark the sections in the translation; this was discontinued as unnecessary, and the Benedictine only retained. In some of the references to the Psalms, where the Septuagint differs much from the Hebrew, the numbers given are those of the Greek. Care will be taken in the Index of Texts to give always the reference to the Psalm and Verse according to the Hebrew reckoning fo”
2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture--Greek, "Every Scripture," that is, Scripture in its every part. However, English Version is sustained, though the Greek article be wanting, by the technical use of the term "Scripture" being so well known as not to need the article (compare Greek, Eph 3:15; Eph 2:21). The Greek is never used of writings in general, but only of the sacred Scriptures. The position of the two Greek adjectives closely united by "and," forbids our taking the one as an epithet, the other as predicated and translated as ALFORD and ELLICOTT. "Every Scripture ”
1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2 (Gen 24-50), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 9:21 11:1 11:1 11:31 15:13 15:13 16:1 17:1 17:1-22 21 21:5 21:22 22:18 23:9 24:1-67 24:2 24:40 24:49 24:60 24:60 25:1-34 25:20 26:1 26:1-35 26:24 27:1-46 28:1-22 29:1 29:1-35 29:4 30:1-43 30:33 31:1 31:1-55 31:15 32:1-32 32:18 33:1-20 33:19 34:1-31 34:12 35:1-29 36:1 36:1-43 37:1-36 37:3 37:20 37:36 38:1-30 38:7 39:1 39:1-23 40:1-23 40:3 41:1-57 41:45 41:46 42:1-38 43:1-34 44:1 44:1-34 44:7 44:16 45:1 45:1-28 45:10 46:1-34 46:28 47:1-31 47:4 47:29 48:1 48:1-22 49:1 49:1-33 49:19 50:1-26 Exodu”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 23.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 1:30 3:5 3:22 10:14 11:31 12:3 12:17 13:15 13:16 17:7 17:8 18:20 18:21 19:5 19:23 19:24 19:37 20:3 20:16 20:17 22:17 22:17 25:25-26 31:19 31:30 32:28 34:7 36:1 36:8 36:9 41:50-52 48:16 Exodus 1:12 1:14 3:6 4:22 8:15 9:34 10:21 10:23 12:23 12:51 12:51 12:51 13:21 13:21-22 14:21 14:27-28 14:29 15:1 19:6 19:20 20:5 20:5 21:8 21:8 21:8 22:22-24 22:23 23:8 23:8 23:19 23:32 25:21-22 29:42 32:32 33:9 34:6 34:7 34:26 Leviticus 1:11 10:1 19:18 23:40 26 26:18 26:18 26:21 26:21 26:24 26:26 26:28 26:31 26:36 26:”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 29.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 1:30 3:5 3:22 10:14 11:31 12:3 12:17 13:15 13:16 17:7 17:8 18:20 18:21 19:5 19:23 19:24 19:37 20:3 20:16 20:17 22:17 22:17 25:25-26 31:19 31:30 32:28 34:7 36:1 36:8 36:9 41:50-52 48:16 Exodus 1:12 1:14 3:6 4:22 8:15 9:34 10:21 10:23 12:23 12:51 12:51 12:51 13:21 13:21-22 14:21 14:27-28 14:29 15:1 19:6 19:20 20:5 20:5 21:8 21:8 21:8 22:22-24 22:23 23:8 23:8 23:19 23:32 25:21-22 29:42 32:32 33:9 34:6 34:7 34:26 Leviticus 1:11 10:1 19:18 23:40 26 26:18 26:18 26:21 26:21 26:24 26:26 26:28 26:31 26:36 26:”

Ask Your Own Question