Using Non-Scriptural Examples in Teaching God's Word Effectively

The effective teaching of God's Word often involves the use of non-scriptural examples to illustrate biblical truths, a practice that finds precedent in biblical teaching methods and is supported by theological understanding of communication. While the Scriptures themselves are given by inspiration of God and are the ultimate source of divine truth ^[1], the manner of their communication can vary.

The Bible frequently employs illustrative language and narrative forms to convey spiritual concepts. For instance, parables, which are comparisons or similitudes, are a prominent teaching method used by Jesus ^[4]. These parables often draw on everyday life and common experiences to explain profound spiritual realities. Similarly, the Old Testament contains numerous prophetic utterances, enigmatic maxims, and expanded metaphors that serve to illustrate divine messages ^[4]. This suggests that using relatable, non-scriptural examples aligns with a long-standing biblical tradition of making abstract truths accessible through concrete illustrations.

The Apostle Paul, in his ministry, emphasized that his preaching was not based on "persuasive words of human wisdom" but on "a demonstration of the Spirit’s power" ^{[2, 5]}. This does not, however, preclude the use of understandable language or illustrative examples. Instead, it highlights that the power of the message comes from God, not from human rhetorical skill alone. Paul's own approach to teaching involved adapting his message to his audience, becoming "all things to all people" to win some for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22). This adaptability can include employing examples that resonate with the cultural and experiential background of the listeners, even if those examples are not directly from Scripture.

The goal of teaching is to communicate God's truth effectively, leading to understanding and transformation. The Scriptures are called the "Word of God," the "Word of Christ," and the "Word of truth" ^[1]. To ensure this Word is received, teachers may draw upon various means to clarify its meaning. For example, when discussing concepts like sincerity, biblical texts provide examples such as Christ's own sincerity and the sincerity ministers should exhibit ^[3]. However, a teacher might also use contemporary examples of sincerity or its lack to help an audience grasp the concept more fully. Similarly, when teaching about meekness, Christ is presented as the ultimate example ^[6], but a teacher could supplement this with modern-day illustrations of meekness in action.

The use of non-scriptural examples can be particularly helpful when addressing complex theological doctrines. For instance, the doctrine of universal sinfulness is taught in Romans 1:18–3:20, where Paul explains that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin’s power" ^[9]. While the Bible clearly states that "all human beings are born sinners" (Psalm 58:3) ^[7] and that "he that committeth sin is of the devil" (1 John 3:8) ^[8], a teacher might use a contemporary scenario or a historical event to illustrate the pervasive nature of sin and its consequences, thereby making the biblical teaching more tangible. Augustine, for example, noted that while the devil does not "beget" in the same way God does, whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil through imitation, not birth ^[8]. This kind of explanatory analogy, though theological, functions similarly to a non-scriptural example in clarifying a concept.

Sources

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”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:4 (BSB) — My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,”
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; ”
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”
1 Corinthians “My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, -- 1 Corinthians 2:4”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
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).”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”

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