How to Interpret the Bible Lesson #3 - Examples
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Introduction. Since God “desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1Tim. 2:3-4), it follows necessarily that God would write His word so that men could come to a “knowledge of the truth.” If we believe “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16), it should be obvious that the “faith that comes by hearing the word of God” (Rom 10:17) is available to all who want to hear and believe. Thus the reason for any controversy among disciples over convictions is not from what God wrote, but how people choose to understand and interpret it.
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In a previous article, we explored the methods God gave us to find truth when there is controversy. As the disciples came together to “consider the matter” in Acts 15, Peter gave his example, Paul and Barnabas used logic and deduction, and James cited direct instructions from God. Since God has given us such a precious gift, it is important for us to use it. When we stand before God in judgment, it will be important that we left no stone unturned in our quest for truth.
Since Peter started the discussion with his example, how many of us begin the same way? As we consider a controversial topic like baptism or the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, have we explored what light the examples of the apostles and prophets would shed on them? If we begin by searching how many times the term example is used in the Scriptures, we will become more and more convinced that this is a critical tool for separating truth from error.
Paul spoke many times of the importance of his example in his inspired writings. In speaking of the work ethics of Christians, Paul told the Thessalonians, “you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example” and then concluded that they had done this “in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.” (2Th. 3:7-9 NAS). Thus through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul called himself an example and a model exhorting them (and us) to follow that example.
He told the Corinthians, “I exhort you, be imitators of me,” and then said that this was the “reason I have sent Timothy to you, ... who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” It was not enough for the Corinthians to read the words of this letter, but also to remember and follow his own example in living the things he was teaching. Just as Timothy was to remind them of all his ways (paths), we too should be reminding ourselves and those we teach about his ways which he also “taught” in every church. Then as we find the true examples of his own inspired teaching we must “be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (1Cor. 4:16-17; 11:1).
To the brethren at Philippi, as he described his zeal for growing and strengthening himself as a Christian, he said: “brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Phil 3:17). Again, we can’t minimize the importance of His inspiration as he wrote these things. These are not simply his words, but the commandments of the Lord: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1Cor. 14:37). Hence if we see ourselves as spiritually minded people, we must “follow his example” and see “him as a pattern,” as a direct “commandment of the Lord” Himself. Many of the controversies in existence today would end with agreement if those who call themselves disciples of Jesus would admit that all Paul’s writings are the commands of the Lord and that his life is a pattern and an example to all believers.
The most powerful passage on the importance, not only of their writings, but also the examples of the apostles is summed up when Paul told them: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 3:17; 4:9). How much more do we need than this? If we truly want “the God of peace to be with” us, then the path forward is clear. First, because his writings are “the commands of the Lord,” if we “do” the things we learned and received from him in his epistles, “the God of peace will be with” us! This is God’s solemn promise to us through the Holy Spirit.
Yet equally important are the things they “heard” and “saw” in him. Again, if we want the God of peace to be with us, then the example of what “they heard and saw” must be done! Paul commended Timothy as an evangelist when he did this. “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured” (2Tim. 3:10-11). Carefully following his doctrine can still be done by learning and obeying his epistles.
Carefully following his manner of life is gleaned from the book of Acts and also all through his letters. What he told the Corinthians is still true today. “For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.” (2Cor. 10:10-11).
The false teachers of Paul’s day were saying that his letters were powerful, but his bodily presence is weak. The false teachers today say his letters are powerful, but his examples are weak. Both are shown to be wrong when he said, “as we are in words when absent” such “we will also be when present.” Whether absent or present, Paul’s conduct and letters were identical. There was perfect harmony in the examples in his bodily presence and the inspired words of his letters. Again, we must remember, these are not just his words. They are his words as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion. God still wants all men to be saved and to a knowledge of the truth. Following the examples of the apostles and prophets are just as much a part of God being with us as the letters they wrote. When we follow their examples as closely as possible, we will be nearer to the truth and many disagreements among disciples will come to an end. We have a “great cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 11 who will testify to us that if we follow their example of faith, God will bear witness to our lives as He did for theirs.
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Further information on Examples:
The Full Scope of Examples in the Scriptures.
Added to the examples of the inspired men who wrote are the multitudes of other examples cited by the Holy Spirit. The great chapter of faith (Heb 11:1-40) can do as much as the entire book of Romans to reveal the power and success of faith. We do have a “great cloud of witnesses” urging us to adopt their example and “lay aside every weight. Run with patience the race set before us.” (Heb 12:1)
The Holy Spirit spoke of Israel’s failure in the wilderness after leaving Egypt so that among us, “no man fall after the same example of disobedience.” (Heb 4:11) He used the same example in Corinthians: “with most of them God was not well pleased,” ‘they were overthrown in the wilderness.’ “These things were our examples, to the intent we should not...” He concluded: “these things happened unto them by way of example,” and “were written for our admonition.” (1Cor 10:5-6, 11) All that was written about Israel leaving Egypt was an example and the reason it was written was to admonish and warn us.
The Holy Spirit used the examples of Abraham (Rom. 4:1-25); Cain, Balaam, Korah (Jude 11) and Balaam’s talking donkey (2Pet. 2:15-16) to comfort and warn us. The fall of Sodom and Gomorrah “made them an example unto those that should live ungodly” (2Pet. 2:6). Jesus used the examples of Jonah and the queen of Sheba (Lk. 11:30-32) along with Zerephath & Elijah, Naaman & Elisha (Lk. 4:25-27), and Solomon in all his glory (Mt. 6:29). Paul used Adam (Rom. 5:12-21), and Eve (1Tim. 2:9-15) to teach deep and important biblical truths. James spoke of the example of all the prophets: “Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.” (Jas. 5:10)
It is evident that since “every scripture inspired of God is profitable" and “whatsoever things written aforetime were written for our learning” (2Tim. 3:16 Rom. 15:4), all examples were intended to be used. Cain and Abel, Nadab and Abihu, Saul, David and Uzzah, Solomon, Jeroboam, were written for our learning as an example to admonish.
This is all true because life is the same for all from the beginning until now. What they faced we face. What destroyed them can destroy us and what led to their victories will also lead to ours:
For additional study material from our archives, see the following:
Since Peter started the discussion with his example, how many of us begin the same way? As we consider a controversial topic like baptism or the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, have we explored what light the examples of the apostles and prophets would shed on them? If we begin by searching how many times the term example is used in the Scriptures, we will become more and more convinced that this is a critical tool for separating truth from error.
Paul spoke many times of the importance of his example in his inspired writings. In speaking of the work ethics of Christians, Paul told the Thessalonians, “you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example” and then concluded that they had done this “in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.” (2Th. 3:7-9 NAS). Thus through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul called himself an example and a model exhorting them (and us) to follow that example.
He told the Corinthians, “I exhort you, be imitators of me,” and then said that this was the “reason I have sent Timothy to you, ... who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.” It was not enough for the Corinthians to read the words of this letter, but also to remember and follow his own example in living the things he was teaching. Just as Timothy was to remind them of all his ways (paths), we too should be reminding ourselves and those we teach about his ways which he also “taught” in every church. Then as we find the true examples of his own inspired teaching we must “be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (1Cor. 4:16-17; 11:1).
To the brethren at Philippi, as he described his zeal for growing and strengthening himself as a Christian, he said: “brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Phil 3:17). Again, we can’t minimize the importance of His inspiration as he wrote these things. These are not simply his words, but the commandments of the Lord: “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” (1Cor. 14:37). Hence if we see ourselves as spiritually minded people, we must “follow his example” and see “him as a pattern,” as a direct “commandment of the Lord” Himself. Many of the controversies in existence today would end with agreement if those who call themselves disciples of Jesus would admit that all Paul’s writings are the commands of the Lord and that his life is a pattern and an example to all believers.
The most powerful passage on the importance, not only of their writings, but also the examples of the apostles is summed up when Paul told them: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 3:17; 4:9). How much more do we need than this? If we truly want “the God of peace to be with” us, then the path forward is clear. First, because his writings are “the commands of the Lord,” if we “do” the things we learned and received from him in his epistles, “the God of peace will be with” us! This is God’s solemn promise to us through the Holy Spirit.
Yet equally important are the things they “heard” and “saw” in him. Again, if we want the God of peace to be with us, then the example of what “they heard and saw” must be done! Paul commended Timothy as an evangelist when he did this. “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured” (2Tim. 3:10-11). Carefully following his doctrine can still be done by learning and obeying his epistles.
Carefully following his manner of life is gleaned from the book of Acts and also all through his letters. What he told the Corinthians is still true today. “For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.” (2Cor. 10:10-11).
The false teachers of Paul’s day were saying that his letters were powerful, but his bodily presence is weak. The false teachers today say his letters are powerful, but his examples are weak. Both are shown to be wrong when he said, “as we are in words when absent” such “we will also be when present.” Whether absent or present, Paul’s conduct and letters were identical. There was perfect harmony in the examples in his bodily presence and the inspired words of his letters. Again, we must remember, these are not just his words. They are his words as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion. God still wants all men to be saved and to a knowledge of the truth. Following the examples of the apostles and prophets are just as much a part of God being with us as the letters they wrote. When we follow their examples as closely as possible, we will be nearer to the truth and many disagreements among disciples will come to an end. We have a “great cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 11 who will testify to us that if we follow their example of faith, God will bear witness to our lives as He did for theirs.
____________________________________________
Further information on Examples:
The Full Scope of Examples in the Scriptures.
Added to the examples of the inspired men who wrote are the multitudes of other examples cited by the Holy Spirit. The great chapter of faith (Heb 11:1-40) can do as much as the entire book of Romans to reveal the power and success of faith. We do have a “great cloud of witnesses” urging us to adopt their example and “lay aside every weight. Run with patience the race set before us.” (Heb 12:1)
The Holy Spirit spoke of Israel’s failure in the wilderness after leaving Egypt so that among us, “no man fall after the same example of disobedience.” (Heb 4:11) He used the same example in Corinthians: “with most of them God was not well pleased,” ‘they were overthrown in the wilderness.’ “These things were our examples, to the intent we should not...” He concluded: “these things happened unto them by way of example,” and “were written for our admonition.” (1Cor 10:5-6, 11) All that was written about Israel leaving Egypt was an example and the reason it was written was to admonish and warn us.
The Holy Spirit used the examples of Abraham (Rom. 4:1-25); Cain, Balaam, Korah (Jude 11) and Balaam’s talking donkey (2Pet. 2:15-16) to comfort and warn us. The fall of Sodom and Gomorrah “made them an example unto those that should live ungodly” (2Pet. 2:6). Jesus used the examples of Jonah and the queen of Sheba (Lk. 11:30-32) along with Zerephath & Elijah, Naaman & Elisha (Lk. 4:25-27), and Solomon in all his glory (Mt. 6:29). Paul used Adam (Rom. 5:12-21), and Eve (1Tim. 2:9-15) to teach deep and important biblical truths. James spoke of the example of all the prophets: “Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.” (Jas. 5:10)
It is evident that since “every scripture inspired of God is profitable" and “whatsoever things written aforetime were written for our learning” (2Tim. 3:16 Rom. 15:4), all examples were intended to be used. Cain and Abel, Nadab and Abihu, Saul, David and Uzzah, Solomon, Jeroboam, were written for our learning as an example to admonish.
This is all true because life is the same for all from the beginning until now. What they faced we face. What destroyed them can destroy us and what led to their victories will also lead to ours:
- "That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after." (Eccl. 1:9-11)
For additional study material from our archives, see the following:
- "A" for "Authority", especially the articles entitled "When is an example binding?" and "Examples in Acts, How Viewed?"
- "A" for "Apostles"