Companion Bible Verses: How Scripture Establishes Biblical Doctrine

It is commonly recognized that during the course of our lives, we humans all need companionship.

No person is an island unto themselves (Romans 14:7). God made each one of us with an innate nature that requires fellowship with others in order to be emotionally fit and healthy.

As the writer in Genesis has noted, “it is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).

It is not only human beings who need the camaraderie of others. In a unique way, verses in Scripture also need the companionship of other verses found within God’s Word.

This is necessary to establish Biblical doctrinal truths, for God has ordained that truth needs to be established from the testimony of more than one witness. In his second letter to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (II Cor. 13:1).

This verse fittingly finds its own validation in two companion verses from the Old Testament. These required more than one witness for a person to be found guilty of a capital offense (Numbers 35:30, Deuteronomy 17:6).

We also find Jesus Himself confirming this principle in the Book of John. He stated, “It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me” (John 8:17,18).

Can I Get a Witness?

Many music lovers are familiar with the 1970’s musical group Grand Funk Railroad, and of their popular hit song “Some Kind of Wonderful”. What most are not aware of is the fact that the lyrical hook line from that song is derived from this Biblical concept of truth needing to be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses.

Within the song, we find the singer making a plea for corroboration. He asks someone to testify that his girlfriend was indeed “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

Hence the song finds its culmination in the repetition of the refrain, “Can I get a witness?”.

God’s Word employs companion verses, or what we might call “witnesses,” throughout Scripture. They are used to establish Biblical Doctrines.

No verse from Scripture can qualify as Biblical Doctrine in and of itself. It requires the validating concordance of at least one companion verse.

How Companion Verses Establish Biblical Doctrine

The following are some examples of how Scripture utilizes companion verses. One theological principle is that “God often allows sin to come to its full fruition before He judges it.” We first find this idea stated in the Book of Genesis:

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the

Amorites is not yet full.” Genesis 15:16

Then, to establish this principle as Biblical Doctrine, the Word of God later employs not just one, but two companion verses:

“Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full,

the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.” Joel 3:13

The concept is again verified later in the Book of Revelation:

“And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried

with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in the sharp sickle, and

gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.” Revelation 14:18

Companion Verses From the Old and New Testaments

Another example of companion verses can be found in the Apostle Paul’s validation of David’s statement in the Book of Psalms. The principle is that “Everything that occurs in the Universe is ultimately done for the sake of the believer

In Psalm 57, David wrote:

“I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.” Psalm 57:2

Paul confirms that David’s proclamation is indeed an eternal truth in his second letter to the Church at Corinth, where he writes:

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the

thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 4:15

These two companion verses from the Old and New Testaments firmly establish this truth. All aspects of God’s Creation are ultimately done for the sake of those who will come to believe in Him.

20 Biblical Principles Established Through Companion Verses

The following is a list of 20 Biblical Principles established through companion verses. In this way, “Every thought would be established in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses” (II Corinthians 13:1).

1. The Biblical truism that “History does indeed repeat itself” is confirmed in Ecclesiastes. Solomon states that there is “No new thing done under the sun.” Solomon makes note that “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Later, we find the Prophet Isaiah affirming Solomon’s prior declaration: “… Let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come” Isaiah 41:22).
2. “God can be found by man, if man seeks Him with his whole heart.” (Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13).
3. The principle that “believers are not to neglect the attending of church services or fellowship with other believers” is not unique to the New Testament (Hebrews 10:25). It is also stated within the Old Testament record (Deuteronomy 12:5).
4. In God’s assessment of our lives, it can be said that “God is more concerned with the motivations of the heart of believers than He is by their overt actions” (I Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 4:23, Isaiah 10:12).
5. “God expresses His love and concern for His children by not only blessing them, but also by correcting and chastening them” (Job 5:17,18, Psalm 119:75, Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6).
6. “God often uses the ungodly to discipline believers” (Psalm 17:3, Proverbs 16:7, Isaiah 10:5,6).
7. “Believers are admonished to show kindness to their enemies” (Proverbs 25:21, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:20).
8. “There are not many people who are wise after the flesh who become a part of God’s family of believers” (Job 32:9, I Corinthians 1:26).
9. “God reserves His Wrath in this world for the ungodly” (Nahum 1:2, I Thessalonians 5:9).
10. “Parents should seek to leave an inheritance for their children” (Proverbs 13:22, II Corinthians 12:14).
11. “There are aspects of the Word of God that are of more importance than others.” One of these aspects is what Jesus termed “the weightier matters of the law”: judgment, mercy, and faith. It can be argued that these constitute the framework of the “normal Christian life” (Matthew 23:23, Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:9-11).
12. “The believer is to walk not by sight, but rather by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38).
13. “God the Father has committed the Judgment of mankind to God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Psalm 98:9, Isaiah 2:4, John 5:22,27, Acts 17:31, 10:42, Romans 2:16, Romans 2:16).
14. “It is possible for believers to attain the love of Christ in one’s spiritual growth while still on earth”. This was evidenced in the lives of Moses and Paul. Both were willing to go to an eternal hell for the sake of their brethren (Exodus 32:32, Romans 9:3).
15. Although it is true that Scripture teaches that Satan blinds the hearts of unbelievers (II Corinthians 4:4), “In the outworking of His Sovereign plan, God is also said to blind the minds of unbelievers.” (Job 17:4, Matthew 11:25, Romans 11:8).
16. “It was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ who had met with Moses at the burning bush, as Scripture refers uniquely to both Personages by the name of, “I Am.” (Exodus 3:2,14, John 8:58).
17. “Jesus Christ, as the 2nd Person of the Trinity, openly led Israel during the Exodus. He continued to do so throughout the Old Testament record.” This is evidenced by the fact that Jesus continued the same one to one relationship with Joshua that He had originally had with Moses. This is shown by Jesus’ command to both Moses and Joshua to remove their sandals. The ground upon which they were standing was sacred (Exodus 3:2,5, Joshua 5:15).
18. “Jesus as the 2nd Person of the Trinity maintains a consistency of character throughout Scripture.”This is evidenced by His promise to remain forever with Joshua, the Psalmist, and New Testament believers (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 73:23,24, Matthew 28:20).
    These verses are also in themselves companion verses to the Biblical reality that “Jesus Christ never changes.” “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
19. “God the Father functions as the actual planner of Creation.” (Jeremiah 32:17, I Corinthians 8:6).
20. “God the Son functions as the actual Creator of the Universe.” (II Kings 19:15, John 1:10, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2).

Why Companion Bible Verses Matter

The preceding list is by no means exhaustive.

It simply serves as an example of how God establishes sound doctrine through companion verses. The careful student of God’s Word should therefore be on the “constant lookout” for them while studying Scripture.

Through “companion verses,” God not only establishes truth. He also subtly points out the more important aspects of His Word.

Companion verses should also serve as a testimonial to an important point. Although numerous human agents were involved in writing God’s Holy Word, the thoughts expressed all came from one mind, the “mind of God.”

To this the author cheekily asks, “Can I get a witness?” God’s Word emphatically replies, “Yes you most certainly can.”

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for

correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

II Timothy 3:16, 17

“Knowing this first, that is no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as

they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” II Peter 1:20,21

Related Studies from Paradigms Tossed

Continue exploring companion verses, biblical doctrine, and the consistency of God’s Word through these related studies:

Does God Ever Raise His Voice?
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The Foundation of Christian Theology: Understanding Judgment, Mercy, Faith, and God’s Purpose for Man
Explore the “weightier matters of the Law”—judgment, mercy, and faith—and how these foundational principles appear throughout Scripture.

Is Jesus Jehovah of the Old Testament?
Examine the biblical evidence connecting Jesus Christ with Jehovah of the Old Testament, including His pre-incarnate appearances and role throughout Scripture.

Free Will vs. God’s Sovereignty: Can Christians Handle the Truth?
Consider how Scripture presents God’s sovereignty alongside human choice and why biblical teaching should be tested against the full testimony of God’s Word.

2030 Prophetic Time Table 5 – The Examination of the Passover Lamb
Explore Old and New Testament connections concerning Jesus Christ, His identity as Jehovah, and the prophetic patterns found throughout Scripture.