Quotations Regarding J. B. Lightfoot and His Work
Quotations Regarding J. B. Lightfoot and His Work
“His editions and commentaries . . . as well as his critical dissertations have an imperishable value, and even where it is impossible to agree with his results, his grounds are never to be neglected. The respect for his opponent which distinguishes him . . . has brought him the highest respect of all parties. . . . There never has been an apologist who was less an advocate than Lightfoot. . . . He [was] an independent, free scholar . . . in the absolute sense of the words. He has never defended a tradition for the tradition’s sake. But how many times, when the tradition was previously defended inadequately and so threatened to lose its reputation, has he saved the tradition with sweeping reasons!”
Adolf von Harnack
“In the great bulk of his literary work Bishop Lightfoot depended entirely on his own labours. He never employed an amanuensis; he rarely allowed anyone else even to verify his references. The only relief which he would accept was the almost mechanical correction of the proof/sheets of the new editions, as they were called for, of his Epistles of St Paul.”
H. E. Savage
“His lectures on the Greek New Testament were distinguished not only by their ability but also by their spiritual power. A pupil who attended one of the earliest courses remarks: ‘I remember well how much the class was impressed, when, after giving us the usual introductory matter, Lightfoot closed the book and said, “After all is said and done, the only way to know the Greek Testament properly is by prayer” and dwelt further on this thought.’ ”
The Cambridge Review
“We are glad to be able to hope, from hints which have from time to time reached the public ear, that a large portion of the whole field was covered by Dr. Lightfoot’s labours, and that some of the MSS. which are in the care of his literary executors will in due course be published; for even if they are only posthumous fragments, the student . . . will thankfully welcome them.”
Anonymous obituary to Lightfoot in the Contemporary Review, 1890