Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Back in November of 1983, a couple of members of the first church I pastored, brothers Arnold Smith and Jerry Smith, gave me a six-volume set of the commentary of Matthew Henry (1662–1714).

I have used, enjoyed, and cherished this generous gift. It is devotional, experiential, and practical – quite distinct in this regard from most modern commentaries. When I quote from it, I always quote “Matthew Henry.” However, I have known for many years that Henry died before he completed this work – voluminous as the work he completed is! Recently I decided to check into just exactly what part of the work is his, and what was completed after his death. Long story short, Matthew Henry completed commentary from the book of Genesis through the book of Acts. Friends of Henry completed the rest of the New Testament, Romans through Revelation.

From the Preface to Volume VI, p. iii:

After much expectation, and many enquiries, the last volume of the late reverend Mr. Henry’s Exposition now appears in the world. The common disadvantages that attend posthumous productions will doubtless be discerned in this; but we hope, though there are diversities of gifts, there will be found to be the same spirit. Some of the relations and hearers of that excellent person have been at the pains of transcribing the notes they took in short-hand of this part of the holy scripture, when expounded by him in his family or in the congregation; they have furnished us with very good materials for the finishing of this great work, and we doubt not but that the ministers who have been concerned in it have made that use of those assistances which may entitle this composure to the honour of Mr. Henry’s name; and, if so, they can very willingly conceal their own.

Matthew Henry was a preacher and writer. Six Nonconformist or Dissenting ministers ordained him on May 9, 1687. He founded the Presbyterian Chapel in Trinity Street, Chester, Cheshire, England. A cenotaph in his honour is on a roundabout opposite the entrance to Chester Castle.

The list below is taken from “The Commentators. No. I, Matthew Henry,” by William Lindsay Alexander, in The Journal of Sacred Literature (Vol. I, No. IV, October 1848), pp. 222-233 (specifically p. 223). It names the men who finished the Matthew Henry Commentary.

The notes on Romans “were so complete as to need only to be epitomized and arranged, which was done by Dr. John Evans.” For the rest, Henry’s “friends and admirers...took each one of the remaining books of the New Testament, and endeavoured to write a commentary on it in Henry’s style and method, and in some cases with the help of notes which he had left behind or which had been taken down in short-hand from his pulpit expositions.”

• Romans - John Evans.
• 1 Corinthians - Simon Browne.
• 2 Corinthians - Daniel Mayo.
• Galatians - Joshua Bayes.
• Ephesians - Samuel Rosewell.
• Philippians and Colossians - William Harris.
• 1 & 2 Thessalonians - Daniel Mayo.
• 1 & 2 Timothy - Benjamin Andrews Atkinson.
• Titus & Philemon - Jeremiah Smith.
• Hebrews - William Tong.
• James - S. Wright.
• 1 Peter - Zech. Merrill.
• 2 Peter - Joseph Hill.
• 1, 2, & 3 John - Mr. John Reynolds.
• Jude - John Billingsby (or Billingsley).
• Revelation - William Tong.

These names are also listed on page 7 in later printings of Volume VI. Fleming H. Revell Company of Old Tappan, New Jersey printed the undated edition Arnold and Jerry gave me. It is described as “Carefully Revised and Corrected,” and may be the edition of the commentary described as edited by George Burder and John Hughes in 1811.

Charles H. Spurgeon wrote:

You are aware, perhaps, that the latter part of the New Testament was completed by other hands, the good man having gone the way of all flesh. The writers were Messrs, Evans, Brown, Mayo, Bays, Rosewell, Harriss, Atkinson, Smith, Tong, Wright, Merrell, Hill, Reynolds, and Billingsley--all Dissenting ministers. They have executed their work exceedingly well, have worked in much of the matter which Henry had collected, and have done their best to follow his methods, but their combined production is far inferior to Matthew Henry himself, and any reader will soon detect the difference.

In addition to print sets of the Henry Commentary, it can be found online in various places:

• Bible Gateway
• Blue Letter Bible
• Christian Classics Ethereal Library
• Study Light