Regarding the works of C.S. Lewis, I once heard someone say something like, “Always read the preface.” [1] This is certainly wise advice when reading Lewis, but it should also be the case when reading any book. I am convinced I’ve missed something vital in the many times I’ve skipped the preface.
Not long ago, I began the process of reading through Matthew Henry’s beloved commentary on the whole Bible in 18 months. Although I’ve consulted Henry’s tome many times before, I firmly believe this undertaking will culminate as one of the healthiest things I’ve engaged in to learn more about God’s Word. Therefore, I would like to document some of the highlights of my reading as I progress through his commentary. This post will serve as the introduction to the series.
However, a question remains: what does “always reading the preface” have to do with this post? As is the case for Lewis' works, so too is it true for Henry's; always read the preface. In his commentary, Henry provides a preface to each volume, and each preface is important for at least three reasons:
(1) - Henry provides a helpful hermeneutical summary of how he understands and engages the Scripture. More specifically, he provides a summary for how he understands and engages with each division of God’s Word (the books of Moses, Old Testament history, the wisdom literature, the prophets, the gospels, etc.) This helps his readers to understand him as an interpreter of Scripture but it also serves as a lesson for how to interpret the Bible as we read it.
(2) - I’ve always known Henry as a devotional commentator and I have benefitted from it immensely. Although true, each preface reveals that Henry is a more-than-capable interpreter of God’s Word who has the mental wherewithal to deal with critics. In other words, Henry provides substantial commentary on the Bible that can help readers to combat their own sin, the attacks of unbelievers, and the influence of the world.
(3) - It is evident in each preface that Henry loves God’s Word and Christ’s church. This is a wonderful disposition to see in a bible commentator at the outset. In our day, many commentaries tend to be overly academic and lacking in pastoral instruction and application. Thus, Henry is a prime example of a pastor-theologian who served the body of Christ well intellectually and pastorally.
With this introduction in mind, the following is for your consideration, and it comes from the preface to volume one:
“Though it is most my concern, that I be able to give a good account to God and my own conscience, yet, perhaps, it will be expected that I give the world also some account of this bold undertaking; which I shall endeavour to do with all plainness, and as one who believes, that if men must be reckoned with in the great day, for every vain and idle word they speak, much more for every vain and idle line they write.” [2]
With these words, Henry began the first preface to his commentary on the whole Bible. Henry was deeply concerned that what followed would be in agreement with God’s written revelation. He understood that commenting on the entirety of God's Word was no insignificant task. Thus, Henry expressed an important sense of humility and awe regarding this endeavor. This is the kind of commentary that we need today. A commentary in which the author has taken seriously the Word of God and its application to life, but began with the assumption that the Bible is in fact the inspired Word of God. This is a source of comfort to me as a reader who longs to look into the things the Triune God has revealed concerning man's salvation, and it ought to be a source of comfort to you as well.
Footnotes:
[1] - I believe this quote, or something similar to it, came from a podcast episode of Pints with Jack.
[2] - Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged. Peabody, Mass., Hendrickson Publishers, 1991. ix. Logos Edition.
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