Chapter 1 of 180

BS543.H44 1993 220.3—dc20 92-23984

Cover Photo: Art Jacobs Cover Design: Alan G. Hartman

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714.

[Bible themes from Matthew] Great themes of the Bible / by Matthew Henry. p. cm. Originally published: Bible themes from Matthew Henry. Wheaton, IL: Van Kampen Press, 1953.

1. Bible—Theology. I. Title. BS543.H44 1993 220.3—dc20 92-23984 CIP ISBN 0-8254-2838-6 (paperback)

Printed in the United States of America

sveagie Memorial Library

The Salvation Army School for Officers' Traletae

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CONTENTS

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ASCEDSIONSRs s RIC OT,. athe A AVNER ee fom. fy oi vetet 7 Atonement Stee Sagan centres Ok te GRE PS eee. 2 16 Borns pain ait sae Geter W atten Ma cont ohhh tne Zo

CHISUYM: Semin ner ee Sane, Che ee Tae rele ee, tin 34 CTUECH Warten tee tere eee | ace men eee Lee IW 50 DISCIDIeSIIDEe ers per ee Cn me Tene ee 64 Eminancliee heretic eee ee ack ee oe 72 BV ee ee ee tcc canes con ferent tee ae 19 Pat aetna ce ee tie ett mc ge tas et eR Ts BU 88 LES Ae CRE ere ST Cee eee Sateen, Sena 99 HOD CMe Ais rusk sae Bie cl oh See, NAT ae Os ead ses 108 FOL AE yaa satiety Reena aie las OP phi ne cet ia cued 114 JO Vigan eels ere ge ers. hie a 3 JUGoMENnt Renae tee a eee ee ee, ee 132 KingdonnolGodaeiceeerc nee eile. te ens ne 140

Dighteieeeerr aw: Skee eee pre utre re > yeas 152 MCI VR ree ee nr ee ee rns ae 162 INCIQTIDCH Bere eee eroer eer mcr etcetera, me weet 2 CODCCICTICG wren emeree tite ence na nals cans eR rece 179 Preachersand: Preachitivee.s otaor wave thera th oot 188 R@SUTCC CON mr wee rete it Wee uel a, Sets 3's oe ees 198 SACU CAUONS atk Caren hee en ics Cnt Schorr. 210 CANS OULA OO meinen ne Oia gs se are + eerie 218 Uneleanncss; qaieerecy seu: 0 arora ies Svar O27 Vision creer ee ee okie ea ate ees 239 Wordind: Wisdorn se ie ee we cr 2 ee 247 gt .0¢ i =n

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FOREWORD

he brilliant Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry was first published between 1708 and 1710 and more recently in an abridged one-volume edition by Zondervan Publishing House. The excerpts published in this book were selected by Selwynn Gummer, and a sermon outline on each subject was prepared by Frank Colquhoun (based on the text by Matthew Hen-

Ty).

As Dr. Cyril Barber says in The Minister's Library, "Matthew Henry lived at a time when little emphasis was placed on the history and geography of the Holy land. However, he was skilled in applying the truths of Scripture to the needs of those to whom he preached. His commentary, first published in 1708-10, may still be consulted with profit today."

Dr. Peter Masters in his book, The Preacher's Library, said of Matthew Henry's monumental work: "Here (in the Commentary) is an unflagging emphasis on applying the Word in an experimental way to the real problems and needs of the soul. Here we can learn such skills from a master of his craft."

In The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church, Dr. A. Morgan Derham wrote: "Greatly influenced by the Puritans, he made exposition of Scripture the central concern of his ministry. Beginning work at four or five o'clock each day, he aimed to use time to the fullest. In 1704 he began the seven-volume Commentary on the Bible for which he is remembered. He finished up to the end of Acts; ministerial friends completed the New Testament from his notes and writings. It set a style in detailed, often highly spiritualized, exposition of Scripture which has shaped evangelical ministry ever since; C.H. Spurgeon acknowledged his debt to Henry; many others have neglected this courtesy."

It is both a pleasure and a privilege for Kregel Publications to reissue this concise collection of Matthew Henry's comments on the great Bible themes and make them available to a new generation of Bible students.

PREFACE

M2 HENRY'S COMMENTARY has for me, since student days, been a monumental source of inspiration. I have revelled in the brilliant and original expositions and the often homely and picturesque comments. This book is an effort to express something of my indebtedness to the larger work, as I have endeavoured to bring together some of the choicest material in a form which will be useful to the busy preacher and student of to-day. It is my hope that a new generation of readers will be attracted to the great work which has meant so much to preachers of each generation ever since it first appeared over two hundred and fifty years ago.

My method has been to select from the original material, using almost entirely the author's own words, relevant passages, and collate them under subject headings, and present the result in easily accessible form. The Scripture texts are given in italics where the particular theme is discussed more fully in the Commentary itself, and it may be that where the themes are not dealt with adequately the reader will find this book a useful starting point in his own researches in the full Commentary.

It should be remembered that these are devotional studies, for Matthew Henry's Commentary is itself the fruit of devotional readings, first in his father's home, then in his own home, and in the houses of his fellow-worshippers during his ministry in Chester. Only so can the best results be derived.

The Sermon Outlines will, I hope, stimulate thought and make useful suggestions, for to some extent they summarise what has been said in the chapters concerning the subjects which are of major importance in these days.

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