Interpreting the Bible: A Study on Similes, Metaphors, and Similitudes

The Sum of God’s Word Is Truth
The Bible says, "The sum of your word is truth" (Psalm 119:160). Truth is not found in a single verse but in the harmony of all that God has revealed. The world often pulls a verse out of context and builds entire doctrines upon it. But a faithful student of Scripture must study all God has said on any topic before forming conclusions. That method is called inductive reasoning — gathering all available information, then interpreting rightly. Jesus Himself used this approach. On the road to Emmaus, He explained to the disciples all that the Scriptures said about Him, beginning with Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:27). That example must guide us today.

Elders, Bishops, and Shepherds: One Group, Different Terms
Acts 20 offers a helpful study in context. In verse 17, Paul calls for the elders of the church at Ephesus. But in verse 28, he calls them overseers and tells them to shepherd the church. These are not three different offices but three different descriptions of the same group of men. Other passages confirm this: 1 Peter 5, Titus 1, and 1 Timothy 3 all use overlapping terms. A careful word study reveals that elder, bishop, overseer, and shepherd are different functions or titles of the same role. This prevents false distinctions often made in religious traditions today.

Romans 7: A Case Study in Context
Romans 7 is another example of why we must read thoroughly. Some claim this chapter proves Christians are no longer under any law whatsoever. But reading the full context refutes that. Paul speaks of the law as binding like a marriage (simile – vv. 1–3), and says we are now dead to the law to be married to Christ (v. 4). What law? Verse 7 answers: “I would not have known sin except through the Law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the Law had said, 'You shall not covet.'” That’s one of the Ten Commandments. Paul is speaking about the Law of Moses, not law in general. A partial reading leads to error. Full context restores clarity.

Baptism: How and Why?
Acts 8 describes the Ethiopian eunuch’s conversion. After hearing the gospel, he said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” (v. 36). They both went down into the water, and came up out of the water. That alone shows baptism involves immersion. Romans 6:4 says we are buried with Christ in baptism (metaphor). Colossians 2:12 agrees: we are “buried with Him in baptism.” Sprinkling and pouring do not match the biblical description of burial. Only immersion does.

As for why we are baptized, Scripture is equally clear. Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Saved from what? Acts 2:38 says baptism is “for the forgiveness of sins.” Acts 22:16 says, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” 1 Peter 3:21 adds, “Baptism now saves us—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but the appeal to God for a good conscience.” When we let the whole Bible speak, baptism is revealed as the moment of salvation, not something done after one is saved.

What Is the Church?
The church is described in many ways in Scripture. Colossians 1:18 says Christ is the head of the body, the church (metaphor). 1 Timothy 3:15 calls it the house (or family) of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (metaphors). Acts 2 shows that those who repented and were baptized were added to the church (v. 41, 47). Colossians 1:13 says those saved have been conveyed into the kingdom of God’s Son. The church is also called the kingdom (Matthew 16:18–19). These are not separate groups but different descriptions of the same people—the saved. The church is not a denomination or a part of something larger. It is the body of Christ, composed of those saved by obedience to the gospel.

Figurative Language: Using God's Word as He Intended
To rightly divide Scripture, we must recognize when God uses figurative language.

• Jesus said the Pharisees were like “whitewashed tombs”—beautiful on the outside, full of death within (Matthew 23:27) (simile). That teaches about hypocrisy.
• In 1 Peter 1:24, “All flesh is as grass” (simile)—a vivid image of life’s brevity.
• Jesus is called “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29) (metaphor)—rich with sacrificial imagery.
• Jesus said “This is My body” and “This is My blood” (Matthew 26:26–28) (metaphors). Failure to see the figurative meaning here has led to doctrinal error.
• Herod is called “that fox” (Luke 13:32) (metaphor)—a vivid picture of cunning and deceit.
• “You are the temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16) (metaphor)—emphasizing holiness and God’s indwelling presence.
• The Spirit descending “like a dove” (Matthew 3:16) (simile) illustrates gentle presence.
• Matthew 7:24–27 offers a similitude (extended simile) contrasting those who build on rock vs. sand—wise vs. foolish—based on whether they do Christ’s words.

Recognizing these figures protects us from twisting Scripture and allows us to grasp God's message more fully.

Conclusion: Let the Bible Interpret Itself
The Bible makes sense when we let it speak for itself. Pulling verses out of context leads to confusion. But studying all God has said on a subject—and recognizing when He speaks figuratively—brings unity, truth, and clarity. God never contradicts Himself. The sum of His word is truth. Let us search it, study it, and obey it.

Sermon Outline: Let the Whole Word Speak – A Study in Similes, Metaphors, and Similitudes

I. Introduction: Why Figurative Language Matters

• Figurative language in Scripture brings vividness, memorability, and depth.
• Like Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we must reason inductively: take the whole Word to understand the truth (Luke 24:27).
• Psalm 119:160: “The sum of Your word is truth.”

II. Principles for Interpreting Figurative Language

• Always interpret difficult passages by what is plain (Revelation 20 vs. rest of Scripture).
• Never make the figurative override the literal.
• Harmonize scripture instead of isolating verses.

III. Similes in Scripture

• 1 Peter 1:24 – “All flesh is as grass” – Life is short and temporary.
• Matthew 23:27 – Pharisees “like whitewashed tombs” – Outwardly clean, inwardly corrupt.
• Matthew 3:16 – Spirit descending “like a dove” – Gentle, graceful arrival.
• Matthew 7:24–27 – Wise vs. foolish builders – Similitude showing that obedience is wise.

IV. Metaphors in Scripture

• John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God” – Christ as our sacrifice.
• Luke 13:32 – Herod as “that fox” – Cunning and deceitful.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 – “You are the temple of God” – We are God's dwelling place.
• Matthew 26:26–28 – “This is My body… this is My blood” – Powerful memorial symbols of Jesus’ sacrifice.

V. The Danger of Misinterpreting Figurative Language

• Roman Catholic transubstantiation comes from misreading metaphors as literal.
• Premillennialism reads symbolic texts like Revelation 20 literally and builds whole doctrines from them.

VI. Inductive Reasoning in Scripture

• Acts 20 shows that elders, bishops, and shepherds are the same group – revealed by multiple terms across verses.
• Romans 7 uses marriage as a simile to explain how we are no longer bound to the Old Law.
• Baptism: buried with Christ (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12) – metaphor that teaches how baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21).

Call to Action: Let the Bible Speak and Let It Change You

God’s Word is powerful, rich, and understandable—when we let it explain itself. Don’t let the world, tradition, or speculation shape your doctrine. Let the sum of God’s Word be your truth.

• Study with humility.
• Interpret carefully.
• Obey sincerely.

Be the wise builder who hears and does the will of God (Matthew 7:24). Let your foundation be firm. Let your faith be active. Let the Word shape your life.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).