Using the Example Principle to Teach Obedience in Everyday Life
Christ's obedience to the Father stands as the foundational pattern for Christian conduct. Scripture presents Him not merely as a moral teacher but as one who embodied perfect submission: He denied Himself in the wilderness, lived without earthly security, and subordinated His will to God's, culminating in His humiliation and death [2]. This example establishes a principle that extends beyond abstract theology into the texture of daily life.
The Biblical Framework
The New Testament explicitly commands believers to pattern their lives after Christ's example. Paul instructs the Philippians to adopt Christ's mindset of self-emptying obedience [2], and he later urges them to imitate him as he imitates Christ [6]. This is not optional discipleship but integral to the Christian calling: "It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord" [3]. The Great Commission itself concludes with the charge to teach new disciples "to observe all things whatever I have commanded you" [7], linking instruction to obedience rather than mere intellectual assent.
The principle operates through both verbal instruction and lived demonstration. Josephus observed that Moses's law integrated "instruction in words" with "practical exercises" [5], and Paul's ministry embodied this dual approach. He worked with his own hands while among the Thessalonians, providing a concrete pattern for believers to follow [9]. Teaching by example carried significant weight in the ancient world, and the apostolic writers leveraged this cultural value to reinforce Christian formation.
Application to Household and Social Relations
Peter applies Christ's example specifically to servants enduring unjust treatment from masters. He frames patient suffering under undeserved hardship as a calling, with Christ's innocent suffering as the supreme instance of "doing well" [10]. The household servant's submission, even to harsh masters, becomes a theater for Christlike obedience [8]. This is not passive resignation but active conformity to Christ's pattern, where the disciple's circumstances mirror the teacher's path.
The example principle also governs self-denial across various domains: controlling appetite, abstaining from fleshly desires, and mortifying sinful impulses [1]. These are not arbitrary restrictions but participation in Christ's own self-denial. Obedience to God encompasses submission to governing authorities [2], demonstrating that the principle scales from personal discipline to civic life. The commandments themselves function as "a lamp" and "light" [4], guiding believers through the practical decisions of everyday existence, with Christ's life illuminating the path.
Sources
- 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 ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
- Matthew “It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! -- Matthew 10:25”
- Proverbs “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, -- Proverbs 6:23”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, BOOK II, section 27: of the community with one another; for all our actions and studies, and all our words, [in Moses's settlement,] have a reference to piety towards God; for he hath left none of these in suspense, or undetermined. For there are two ways of coming at any sort of learning and a moral conduct of life; the one is by instruction in words, the other by practical exercises. Now other lawgivers have separated these two ways in their opinions, and choosing one of those ways of instruction, or that which best pleased every one of them, neglected the ot”
- Philippians “Philippians 3:17 (BBE) — Brothers, take me as your example, and take note of those who are walking after the example we have given.”
- Matthew “Matthew 28:20 (Webster) — Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the world. Amen.”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:18: Servants--Greek, "household servants": not here the Greek for "slaves." Probably including freedmen still remaining in their master's house. Masters were not commonly Christians: he therefore mentions only the duties of the servants. These were then often persecuted by their unbelieving masters. Peter's special object seems to be to teach them submission, whatever the character of the masters might be. Paul not having this as his prominent design, includes masters in his monitions. be subject--Greek, "being subject": the participle expresses a parti”
- 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).”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”