The Doctrine of Accommodation in Biblical Human Examples
The doctrine of accommodation, in the context of biblical human examples, refers to God's method of revealing divine truths through the lives and experiences of human beings, often in ways that resonate with human understanding and cultural contexts. This is evident in numerous biblical narratives where individuals serve as models or illustrations of spiritual principles.
One prominent example is the concept of hospitality. Ancient cultures, including the Jewish people, highly valued hospitality [1]. The Old Testament laws frequently emphasized compassion toward strangers, reminding the Israelites that they themselves were once strangers in Egypt (Leviticus 19:34) [1]. Figures like Abraham and Lot are presented as exemplars of this virtue, entertaining angels unawares (Genesis 18:1, 19:1) [1]. John Chrysostom highlights Abraham as a "pattern of hospitality" and an example of the good use of riches [6, 7, 9]. The New Testament continues to command hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9) and even lists it as a requirement for ministers (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8) [2]. The encouragement to show hospitality to strangers is reinforced by the promise that some have "entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2) [2].
Another area where human examples serve as accommodation is in demonstrating faith and righteousness. The Psalms describe those who are fit for communion with God as conforming to His law, illustrating this through various important particulars (Psalm 15:1-5) [10]. Abraham's faith is frequently cited as a model, particularly in his justification by faith (Romans 4) [7, 9]. His willingness to offer Isaac is seen as a type of Christ's death and an example of prioritizing God above all else [6].
The human nature of Christ itself is the ultimate example of divine accommodation. His incarnation was necessary for His mediatorial office (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17) [3]. Christ's life demonstrated human experiences such as conception, birth, growth in wisdom and stature, weeping, hungering, thirsting, sleeping, and weariness, all of which prove His full humanity (Matthew 1:18, Luke 2:52, John 11:35, John 4:6) [3]. This human experience allows Him to sympathize with human temptations, "sin only excepted" (Hebrews 4:15) [8].
Even negative examples serve an accommodative purpose, providing warnings. The Jews are presented as a warning in Hebrews 4:11, and the prophets are examples of enduring affliction (James 5:10) [4]. Josephus notes that the apostles cited historical events like the Flood and the destruction of Sodom as signs against impenitence [5]. These human examples, both positive and negative, serve to make divine principles tangible and relatable to humanity.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hospitality — Hospitality was regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues. The Jewish laws respecting strangers (Leviticus 19:33,34) and the poor, (Leviticus 23:14) seq. Deuteronomy 15:7 And concerning redemption (Leviticus 25:23) seq., etc. are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality. In the law compassion to strangers is constantly enforced by the words "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34) And before the law, Abraham's entertainment of the angels, (Genesis 18:1) seq., and Lot's, (Genesis 19:1) are ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 8, section 31: the apostles, or their amanuensis Clement, gave this reason for the necessity of the coming of Christ, that "men had formerly perverted both the positive law, and that of nature; and had cast out of their mind the memory of the Flood, the burning of Sodom, the plagues of the Egyptians, and the slaughter of the inhabitants of Palestine," as signs of the most amazing impenitence and insensibility, under the punishments of horrid wickedness.] 15 (return) [ Josephus here, in this one sentence, sums up his notion of Moses's very long”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: HOMILIES ON PHILIPPIANS, COLOSSIANS, AND THESSALONIANS. Aaron, why he was not smitten with leprosy as Miriam, 274 . Abel, suffered through love, 342 ; shall meet Christ, 356 . Abraham, example of good use of riches, 240 ; his offering Isaac a type of our Lord's death, 283 ; bid sacrifice Isaac, that he might be rewarded, 331 ; an example to bereaved parents, 336 ; prayed for Sodom, 342 ; preferred God to all things, 350 ; heard even his wife for God's sake, 350 ; blessed in his family for this, 350 ; not heard for Sodom, 358 ; hi”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 567 INDEX OF SUBJECTS. Abraham , his history a reproof to Jewish pride, 97 ; a pattern of hospitality, 276 ; his faith, 349 , 385 , 391 , 395 ; his justification, 388 ; why circumcised, 389 ; his true children, 389 , 391 ; his hospitality, 504 ; zeal for truth, 504 ; prayer for Sodom, 546 . Abuse, the best answer to, 242 ; disgraceful, 244 ; its reaction, 510 ; see Reviling . Acts of the Apostles, little known in Chrysostom's time, 1 ; how profitable as sequel to the Gospels, 1 ; an inspired book, 2 ; important for doctrine, 3 ; written by St. Luke, ”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:15: For--the motive to "holding our profession" (Heb 4:14), namely the sympathy and help we may expect from our High Priest. Though "great" (Heb 4:14), He is not above caring for us; nay, as being in all points one with us as to manhood, sin only excepted, He sympathizes with us in every temptation. Though exalted to the highest heavens, He has changed His place, not His nature and office in relation to us, His condition, but not His affection. Compare Mat 26:38, "watch with me": showing His desire in the days of His flesh for the sympathy of those whom H”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: HOMILIES ON GALATIANS AND EPHESIANS. Abraham, justified by faith, 25 ; his household a pattern of harmony and good government, 148 ; his hospitality and contempt of riches, 156 . Absalom, 122 . Achan, his sin brought calamities upon all, 79 . Adam, the parent stock of mankind, 143 . Adultery, an instance of the willfulness of sin, 57 . Agar, interpretation of, 34 (note) . Allegory, what, 34 . Almsgiving, duty of, 45 ; the danger of omitting the duty, 69 ; enforced, 172 . Altar, Christian, 64 . Amattari, the family of, mentioned 1”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 15 (introduction): Those who are fit for communion with God may be known by a conformity to His law, which is illustrated in various important particulars. (Psa 15:1-5) abide--or, "sojourn" (compare Psa 5:4), where it means under God's protection here, as (Psa 23:6, Psa 27:4, Psa 27:6) communion. tabernacle--seat of the ark (Sa2 6:17), the symbol of God's presence. holy hill--(Compare Psa 2:6).”