60+ Biblical metaphors for the Church and it’s membership of believers

Throughout the Bible many metaphors are used to refer to God’s people. Whether the Old or New Testament, there are several opportunities to see the names given to those God calls His own and those who come to believe. 

In this article, we will quickly overview some of these metaphors. But first, let’s understand what a metaphor is. 

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing by comparing it to another. 

However, instead of using the words as or like to state the comparison, you call one thing the name of the other.

For example, if I want to describe someone who is particularly rude and often says very cutting words, I could say, “Her tongue is as sharp as a knife”. This would be a simile. 

But, if I wanted to make this a metaphor, I would say, “She has a sharp tongue”. Metaphors are not meant to be taken literally. 

Metaphors in the Bible 

One purpose of metaphors in Scripture is to paint a colorful and vivid images of God and how He considers us.

These images are painted by God, Jesus, the prophets and the apostles. 

They referred to both individual believers as well as to the collective body of believers. In the Old Testament, they referred to the nation of God’s people (Israel) and to the Church in the New Testament. 

To make this list a little easier to digest and more fun to study, I have put them metaphors into categories.

Here is the list of categories:

• Everyday objects
• Family relationships
• People
• Animals 
• Agriculture and plants 
• Architecture and buildings 
• Athletics, sports and physical activities  

Let’s jump in!

Everyday objects and thingS METAPHORs

These metaphors draw on everyday life. Let this list remind you that the people in the Bible were real and regular lives just like we do.

1. Clay –  Jeremiah 18:1-6; Isaiah 64:8.  
2. Clay jars – 2 Corinthians 4:7
3. Vessels  – Timothy 2:20-21
4. Salt – Matthew 5:13
5. Unleavened bread  – 1 Corinthians 5:6-7
6. Light – Matthew 5:14
7. Letter – 2 Corinthians 3:3
8. Crown of Beauty – Isaiah 62:3
9. Royal Diadem – Isaiah 62:3
10. Aroma  – 2 Corinthians 2:15
11. Masterpiece – Ephesians 2:10
12. Body – Ephesians 4:12, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians 12:13-18, 1 Cor. 12:27, Rom. 12:4-5

Family relationships metaphors 

Family relationships metaphors are easy to grasp because we are all a part of families, even if that family is all broken down and smashed up.

These metaphors draw on relationships by birth, blood, marriage and adoption. 

1. Heir  – Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7
2. Children – 1 John 3:2, John 1:12, Jeremiah 3:14, Mat 11:25; Luke 10:21
3. Sons – Galatians 4:6
4. Daughters  – 2 Corinthians 6:18
5. Brothers and sisters – Matthew 12:49-50
6. Brother – Hebrews 2:11-12, 17
7. Adopted sons – Galatians 4:4-5
8. Bride – John 3:29, Rev. 19:7-8, Ephesians 5:25-26
9. Wife – Rev. 21:9
10. Family – Matthew 12:49-50
11. Household -, Ephesians 2:19, Gal. 6:10, 1 Tim. 3:14-15, 1 Pet. 4:17

People metaphors 

These metaphors are based on people who interacted together in society. They span social relationships to professionals to regular citizens.

1. Servant – Job 1:8, Joshua 1:2, 24:29, Psalm 89:20, Genesis 26:24, John 12:26 
2. Friends – John 15:15
3. Ambassadors – 2 Corinthians 5:18
4. Royal Priests – 1 Peter 2:5, 9, Exodus 19:5–6
5. Race – 1 Peter 2:9
6. Holy Nation – – 1 Peter 2:9
7. Citizen  – Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:20
8. Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
9. Lady – 1 John 1:1
10. Exiles  – Hebrews 11:13
11. Soldiers  – 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Ephesians 6:10-20

Animals Metaphors 

These metaphors draw from the livestock that people had during Bible times. This was a major part life for them. They relied on animals for food, clothing, and transportation. 

1. Sheep – John 21:16-17, Matthew 25:32-33, John 10:27
2. Lambs – John 21:15, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:11-16
3. Ox – Exodus 33:3; Deuteronomy 9:13; Nehemiah 9:16; Acts 7:51
4. Flock – Luke 12:32, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Acts 20:28, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Isaiah 40:11
5. Baby chickens – Matthew 23:37-39, Luke 13:34-35.

Agriculture and plants metaphors

These metaphors draw on the farming lifestyle of Bible times. Planting and reaping crops was a part of daily living.

1. Apple of His eye – Deuteronomy 32:10
2. Vine  – Psalm 80:8–16; Jeremiah 2:21 
3. Vineyard – Isaiah 5:1–7, Matthew 21:33–41
4. Trees – Psalm 1:3
5. Olive tree – Jeremiah 11:16; Hosea 14:6, Romans 11:16-17
6. Palm trees – Psalm 92:12
7. Cedar tree – Psalm 92:12
8. Oak tree – Isaiah 61:3
9. Fig tree – Luke 13:6-9
10. Branches – John 15:5
11. First fruits – James 1:18, Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:15
12. Wheat – Matthew 13:30
13. Field – 1 Corinthians 3:9
14. Seeds – Matthew 13:38

Architecture and building s metaphors 

These metaphors draw from the buildings seen in towns and residential areas.

1. Temple – 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19 Ephesians 2:21, 2 Corinthians 6:16
2. Building  – Ephesians 2:22, 1 Cor. 3:6-9
3. Stones – 1 Peter 2:5
4. Pillar and buttress – 1 Timothy 3:15
5. House – Hebrews 3:6

Athletics, Sports and physical activities metaphors 

These metaphors draw on the Athletics and sporting events in the social life of Bible times.

1. Athletics competition – 2 Timothy 2:5
2. Running -1 Corinthians 9:24-26, Hebrews 12:1, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Philippians 3:12-14
3. Boxing  – 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 9:25-26
4. Wrestling  – Ephesians 6:12
5. Training – 1 Corinthians 9:27

H2 Final words on metaphors in the Bible 

All the metaphors listed here have powerful images that would make an incredible, faith-building study. You can do some scripture writing with the Scriptures or use a structured Bible study method to delve into the verses.