Through the Bible with Matthew Henry

This year, along with the ESV site's prescribed Through the Bible in a Year program (which has worked well so far; you read a passage from the Old Testament and New Testament every day, and there is even an option to listen to the passage), I'm also reading Matthew Henry's Commentaries, which I recevied as a six-volume box set for Christmas. So far I have thoroughly enjoyed every page of the commentaries.



Some complain of Matthew Henry's language being too stitled (after all, the commentaries were written over 300 years ago). And though certainly he doesn't speak twenty-first century English, I don't find the commentaries hard to read at all. The commentaries are not meant to be at too advanced of a level (and thus there is not a lot of discussion of the Greek text), but they provide much rich theological insight, as well as practical application, which make this an ideal commentary set for the layman. You can find Matthew Henry's commentaries online for free; however, if you find you like it online, you'll probably like it even more in the form of a book. Reading from a printed book is much easier than from an online webpage, and it allows me to highlight and make notes on certain passages that I've found helpful. MonergismBooks.com have the commentary set for sale at $50 -- a very good deal, since its original price is $120 and the set comes with a CD containing several versions of the Bible, Bible dictionaries, Topical Bibles, and other helpful information.

Anyway, I've talked up the commentaries enough. I'll leave you with a few things I've highlighted.

(On Genesis 2:21-25). "Observe that Adam was first formed, then Eve (1 Tim. 2:13), and she was made of the man, and for the man (1 Cor. 11:8,9), all which are urged there as reasons for the humility, modesty, silence, and submissiveness, of that sex in general, and particularly the subjection and reverence which wives owe to their husbands. Yet man being made last of the creatures, as the best and most excellent of all, Eve's being made after Adam, and out of him, puts an honor upon that sex, as the glory of the man, 1 Cor 11:7. If man is the head, she is the crown. ... Observe also that the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam, not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved."

(On Genesis 4:9). "Note, A charitable concern for our brethren, as their keepers, is a great duty, which is strictly required of us, but is generally neglected by us. Those who are unconcerned in the affairs of their brethren, and take no care, when they have opportunity, to prevent their hurt in their bodies, goods, or good name, especially in their souls, do, in effect, speak Cain's language."

(On Genesis 5:24). "To walk with God is to set God always before us, as to act as those that are always under his eye. It is to live a life of communion with God both in ordinances and providences. It is to make God's word our rule and his glory our end in all our actions. It is to make it our constant care and endeavour in every thing to please God, and nothing to offend him. It is to comply with his will, to concur with his designs, and to be workers together with him. It is to be followers of him as dear children."