Matthew Henry (18 October 1662 – 22 June 1714) was an English commentator on the Bible, who published his works in 1706, (six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments (1708–1710) or Complete Commentary), provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the Bible, covering the whole of the Old Testament, and the Gospels and Acts in the New Testament.
The Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible provides an exhaustive and in-depth verse-by-verse study of all 66 books of the Bible. Henry’s work is regarded as one of the best overall commentaries an ordinary Bible reader can have alongside their Bible.
Here is an overview of who Matthew Henry was and what his commentary offers:
Who Was Matthew Henry?
Matthew Henry was a non-conformist Presbyterian minister and author who lived in England in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. A few key facts about his life and ministry:
- He was born on October 18, 1662 in Broad Oak, Flintshire, Wales. His father, Philip Henry, was a minister and his mother was Katherine Matthews.
- He studied briefly at Gray’s Inn in London before pursuing theology and entering the ministry.
- In 1687, he became minister of a Presbyterian church in Chester, England. He stayed there until 1712.
- Henry was a prominent leader among non-conformists, who refused to conform to certain practices of the Church of England. He faced persecution for his dissident views but remained steadfast.
- He wrote numerous theological works, including a biography of his father and a catechism for children. But his most lasting work is his commentary on the Bible.
- Henry died on June 22, 1714 at the age of 52 after being ill for some time.
So in summary, Matthew Henry was a Presbyterian pastor and author who lived in England in the late 1600s and early 1700s. He is most remembered for his comprehensive verse-by-verse commentary on the entire Bible.
Overview of the Matthew Henry Commentary
The Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible was published in 1706, after over 7 years of work by Henry. Here is an overview of this monumental accomplishment:
- It provides an exhaustive, verse-by-verse examination of every passage in the Bible over six large volumes. It covers the complete text of the Old Testament and the Gospels and Acts from the New Testament.
- The commentary reflects a staunch Protestant and non-conformist perspective. Henry focused on the plain and literal meaning of Scripture.
- It is written in an engaging, eloquent, and easy-to-understand style. Henry wanted to make solid biblical scholarship accessible to every Bible reader.
- The commentary examines the text from every angle – theological, devotional, ethical, historical, and more. Henry leaves no stone unturned in his analysis.
- It provides a fusion of exegesis and practical application. Henry extracts doctrinal truths and moral lessons from every passage.
- Quotes from church fathers, theologians, and other commentators are interspersed throughout the text to supplement Henry’s own analysis.
- The commentary was enormously popular from the outset. It remains one of the most widely read and reprinted commentaries 250+ years after its completion.
In summary, the Matthew Henry Commentary provides exhaustive examination of every verse coupled with practical spiritual insights. It aims to help ordinary Christians interpret and apply the wisdom of Scripture in their lives.
What the Commentary Offers on Various Sections of Scripture
Here is a brief overview of how the Matthew Henry Commentary analyzes some key sections of the Bible:
The Pentateuch
Henry provides extensive examination of the books of the Law. He looks in depth at the creation story, fall of man, Noah’s flood, the covenants, and Law of Moses. He highlights God’s sovereignty, justice, mercy, and holiness throughout Israel’s early history. Practical lessons for obedience and godly living are drawn from each passage.
The Wisdom Literature and Poetic Books
On books like Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, Henry offers rich devotional and ethical insights. He unpacks the broad spectrum of wisdom offered on themes like suffering, God’s will, human nature, upright living, and divine justice.
The Major and Minor Prophets
The commentary unpacks the historical context, metaphors, literary forms, and doctrinal significance of each prophetic book. Henry extracts exemplars of godliness and ungodliness from the prophets’ lives. He highlights the messianic prophecies and Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness.
The Gospels and Acts
Henry provides profound meditation on Jesus’ teachings, miracles, character, death, and resurrection. He celebrates Christ’s compassion, submissiveness, and perfectly righteous life. On Acts, Henry celebrates the apostles’ boldness and draws many practical lessons from the early church.
The Epistles
With the New Testament letters, Henry expounds on Christian doctrine and practice. He unpacks teaching on salvation, sanctification, ethics, church governance, mission, end times, and more. Application for wise Christian living is emphasized throughout.
So in short, Henry scrutinizes every passage across every genre to extract doctrinal truths and practical lessons for godly living. His commentary is saturated with insights to help ordinary Christians interpret, understand and apply the Bible.
Distinctive Features of the Matthew Henry Commentary
Here are some of the unique strengths that have made this work an invaluable Bible commentary for over 250 years:
- Comprehensiveness – It covers the complete text of the Old Testament and Gospels/Acts with extraordinary thoroughness.
- Accessibility – Henry writes in a clear and simple style so lay Christians can understand his insights.
- Practical Focus – The emphasis is on extracting doctrinal and ethical lessons from each passage that Christians can apply in daily life.
- Well-Organized Structure – The analysis follows the biblical text in order word-by-word and verse-by-verse for easy reference.
- Experienced Scholarship – Henry brought decades of ministry experience studying and preaching the Bible when writing the commentary.
- Skillful Blend – He masterfully blends exegetical interpretation with practical exhortation and pastoral insight.
- Encyclopedic Knowledge – Henry draws from exhaustive knowledge of biblical commentaries that came before him.
In summary, the commentary’s unparalleled comprehensiveness, Biblicism, practical focus, and clear communicative style make it an invaluable resource for any student of the Bible.
How the Commentary Has Been Used Over the Centuries
For over 250 years, the Matthew Henry Commentary has been a go-to resource for pastors, theologians, and everyday Christians:
- Preachers have used it for sermon preparation and getting insight into Scripture.
- It has provided supplemental material for Bible scholars and academics studying Scripture.
- Lay Christians use it as a guide for daily Bible reading and meditation.
- It has been one of the most widely published commentaries, reprinted in many languages around the world.
- Leading evangelists like Billy Graham and John Wesley studied and praised the commentary.
- It continues to be appreciated for its practical focus and clarity for the ordinary reader.
So for centuries, the Matthew Henry Commentary has served as an invaluable supplemental resource alongside the Bible itself to aid interpretation and application of Scripture.
Critiques and Concerns With the Commentary
While enormously popular and useful, the Matthew Henry Commentary has received some critiques over the years:
- Its language and style reflects 17th century English. Some find it outdated, though most appreciate its eloquence.
- Given its publication in 1706, it does not interact with modern archaeological discoveries relating to biblical backgrounds.
- Some critics believe Henry relies too heavily on quoting other sources rather than giving solely his own interpretation.
- Others argue the analysis is imbalanced, focused more on devotional insights versus technical exegesis.
- As a product of its time, it communicates certain perspectives that may seem ethnocentric or culturally insensitive today.
- Some modern readers desire more insight into the original context and languages of biblical texts.
Overall though, its enduring popularity and widespread use among scholars and laity alike demonstrate the commentary’s immense value as a supplement to diligent Bible study.
How to Make the Best Use of Matthew Henry’s Commentary
Here are some tips for utilizing the Matthew Henry Commentary most effectively in your own Bible reading and study:
- Use it as a supplement to your own direct study of the Bible’s text. Don’t make it your only source.
- Look for Henry’s practical insights into Christian living more than technical exegesis.
- Pay attention to his experiential and pastoral wisdom gained from decades of ministry.
- Appreciate the commentary’s scope and comprehensiveness.
- Try reading Henry’s comments alongside the biblical text to get the complete picture.
- Use his insights to spark your own meditation, reflection, and application.
- Consider his analysis but ultimately interpret and apply passages in light of your context today.
The Matthew Henry Commentary has endured as one of the most helpful resources for biblical interpretation and Christian discipleship. Used properly, it can augment your own direct Scripture study and help you glean doctrinal truths and practical lessons from its pages.
Conclusion
For over three centuries, the monumental six-volume Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible has equipped countless Christians to better understand, interpret, and apply the riches of Scripture. Its exhaustive verse-by-verse analysis over every book of the Bible and eloquent communicative style make it one of the most useful resources ever composed to supplement personal Bible reading. Though dated in some ways, Christians continue to benefit from the commentary’s practical focus, experiential wisdom, and skill in extracting spiritual insights from biblical texts. Studied carefully and used properly alongside Scripture itself, the Matthew Henry Commentary remains an invaluable aid to interpreting God’s Word and nurturing Christian discipleship across generations.