Using Biblical Examples to Encourage and Strengthen Faith

The Bible provides numerous examples that can encourage and strengthen faith, illustrating various aspects of a life lived in trust and obedience to God. These examples range from specific individuals demonstrating particular virtues to broader themes of God's interaction with humanity.

One prominent area where biblical examples serve to strengthen faith is in the demonstration of boldness and trust in God. The life of Christ, for instance, is presented as an example of holy boldness (John 7:26) ^[1]. This boldness is understood to be a characteristic of saints, produced by trust in God (Isaiah 50:7) and the fear of God (Acts 4:19; 5:29) ^[1]. Believers are exhorted to express their trust in God with boldness (Hebrews 13:6) and to have boldness in prayer (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16) ^[1]. Figures like Joshua, who was exhorted to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:7), and ministers, who are called to exhibit boldness in preaching (Acts 4:31), further exemplify this quality ^[1].

Biblical narratives also highlight the importance of sincerity. Christ is again presented as the ultimate example of sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), and ministers are encouraged to follow this example (Titus 2:7) ^[2]. Sincerity is contrasted with "fleshly wisdom" (2 Corinthians 1:12) and is expected to characterize various aspects of a believer's life, including love for God and Christ (2 Corinthians 8:8,24; Ephesians 6:24), service to God (Joshua 24:14; John 4:23,24), and faith itself (1 Timothy 1:5) ^[2]. The preaching of the gospel should also be marked by sincerity (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5) ^[2].

The Bible also uses examples to show how afflictions can be beneficial, thereby strengthening faith during difficult times. Afflictions are depicted as promoting the glory of God (John 9:1-3; 11:3,4), exhibiting God's power and faithfulness (Psalm 34:19,20; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11), and teaching individuals God's will (Psalm 119:71; Isaiah 26:9) ^[3]. They can turn people back to God (Deuteronomy 4:30,31; Psalm 78:34), prevent further backsliding (Job 34:31,32), and lead to seeking God in prayer (Judges 4:3; Jonah 2:1) ^[3].

Communion with God is another theme exemplified throughout scripture. Christ's life provides an example of this (Luke 19:41,42) ^[4]. Believers are called to exercise communion with others, particularly the afflicted (Job 6:14; Hebrews 13:3), the chastened (Isaiah 22:4), enemies (Psalm 35:13), the poor (Proverbs 19:17), and fellow saints (1 Corinthians 12:25,26) ^[4]. This communion is intrinsically linked to love for God (1 John 3:17) ^[4].

Examples of self-denial are also presented as crucial for Christian living. Jesus himself exemplified self-denial (Matthew 4:8-10; John 6:38; Philippians 2:6-8) ^[6]. Self-denial is presented as a test of devotion to Christ (Matthew 10:37,38; Luke 9:23,24) and necessary for following Christ, engaging in spiritual warfare, and achieving spiritual triumph (Luke 14:27-33; 2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27) ^[6]. Ministers are particularly called to exercise self-denial (2 Corinthians 6:4,5) ^[6].

Beyond specific virtues, the Bible offers examples of diligence and devotion. Early rising, for instance, is exemplified by Christ (Mark 1:35) and numerous Old Testament figures such as Abraham (Genesis 19:27), Jacob (Genesis 28:18), and David (1 Samuel 17:20) ^[5]. This practice is linked to devotion, executing God's commands, and discharging daily duties ^[5].

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 4:12, exhorts Timothy to "set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" ^{[7, 9]}. This verse underscores the idea that the lives of believers, particularly leaders, serve as living examples for others. The "work of faith" is not merely an intellectual assent but a "realizing, working faith" that manifests in continuous action, as noted in the commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ^[11]. This active faith is meant to be mutually encouraging among believers (Romans 1:12) ^[10]. The fellowship of faith, as mentioned in Philemon 1:6, is intended to become effective through the knowledge of every good thing in believers for Christ ^[8].

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Hebrews 11, highlights that the chapter provides "illustrious examples" of faith from the Old Testament, some with detailed accounts and others with general descriptions of their "exploits of their faith" ^[12]. These examples serve as a rich resource for understanding and cultivating faith.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
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 ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
I Timothy “I Timothy 4:12 (BSB) — Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
Philemon “Philemon 1:6 (LEB) — I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing that is in us for Christ.”
King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 4:12 — Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Romans “Romans 1:12 (BSB) — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”

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