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Using Historical Examples to Illustrate Biblical Principles

The Bible frequently employs historical examples to illustrate spiritual principles, providing concrete instances of faith, obedience, and their consequences. This method of teaching was highly regarded in the ancient world [15].

One prominent example is the use of Abraham's life to demonstrate justification by faith. The events of Abraham's life were recorded not merely as historical facts, but as illustrations of God's method of justification for all time [14]. Similarly, the Old Testament provides numerous figures who exemplify specific virtues or actions. For instance, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David are all cited as examples of early rising, often in connection with devotion, executing God's commands, or discharging daily duties [1]. Mary is also noted for early rising [1].

The concept of "parable" in the New Testament, derived from the Greek parabole, signifies a comparison or illustration of one subject by another [2]. While often referring to narrative stories, the term also applied to proverbs, prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, or expanded metaphors [2]. This broad application underscores the biblical tradition of using concrete examples to convey deeper truths.

Christ himself set examples for believers in various aspects of life. He demonstrated early rising (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) [1]. He also provided an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9), intercessory prayer (Luke 22:32; 23:34; John 17:9-24), and self-denial (Matthew 4:8-10; 8:20; John 6:38; Romans 15:3; Philippians 2:6-8) [3, 5, 6]. Self-denial, in particular, is presented as a test of devotion to Christ and necessary for following him and for the spiritual warfare and triumph of saints [6].

The New Testament also draws on Old Testament figures to illustrate faith. The Epistle to the Hebrews, for example, presents a "cloud of witnesses" from the Old Testament, whose faith is detailed as an encouragement to believers [13]. This includes figures whose names are mentioned with specific acts of faith, and others whose exploits of faith are generally recounted [13].

Conversely, biblical narratives also illustrate negative examples. The sin of the first pair, Adam and Eve, is described not merely as eating an apple, but as a profound act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience, demonstrating a preference for the creature over the Creator [10]. The concept of sin itself is frequently illustrated through human actions. All human beings are born sinners, and while the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly strive against it [9]. Deliberate sins are characterized by an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God [11]. The Apostle John distinguishes between having "no sin" (referring to the corrupt old nature) and having "not sinned" (referring to the commission of actual sins) [12]. To claim one has not sinned is to make God a liar [12].

The Bible also uses historical examples to teach about God's character and actions. The doctrine of the resurrection, for instance, is presented as an Old Testament belief (Job 19:26; Psalm 16:10; Daniel 12:2; Hosea 13:14) and a foundational principle of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:13-14; Hebrews 6:1-2) [4]. It was expected by Jews (John 11:24) and affirmed by Christ, even though denied by groups like the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23; Luke 20:27) [4].

The practice of teaching by example extends to the transmission of divine instruction. God established a "testimony in Jacob" and "teaching in Israel," commanding fathers to make these known to their children (Psalm 78:5) [8]. This highlights the importance of passing down both principles and their historical demonstrations through generations. The prophet Isaiah also speaks of binding up the testimony and sealing the law among disciples (Isaiah 8:16) [7].

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. 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”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
  5. 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 ”
  6. 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 ”
  7. Isaiah “Isaiah 8:16 (Geneva1599) — Binde vp the testimonie: seale vp the Law among my disciples.”
  8. Psalms “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; -- Psalms 78:5”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  10. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  12. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  13. 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”
  14. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 4:23: Now, &c.--Here is the application of this whole argument about Abraham: These things were not recorded as mere historical facts, but as illustrations for all time of God's method of justification by faith.”
  15. 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:7: 3:7 Teaching by example was highly regarded in the ancient world. Paul himself provided an example by working for his own food (3:8; 1 Thes 2:9).”
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