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[[Image:Matthew-henry.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Matthew Henry]]'''Matthew Henry''' (1662-1714) was a "nonconformist" [[Puritan]] [[minister]] in [[England]], and perhaps the most preeminent devotional Bible commentator. ''Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible'' as it is commonly called, was used by many who helped to bring about the  [[First Great Awakening]] in the 1700s.  Henry's commentary stands in enduring contrast to the ethos of [[liberal Christianity]] against the Bible - its author, its purity, its infallibility - and about the divinity of Jesus Christ, which even then was being promoted in certain educational institutions.   

[[Image:Matthew-henry.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Matthew Henry]]'''Matthew Henry''' (1662-1714) was a "nonconformist" [[Puritan]] [[minister]] in [[England]], and perhaps the most preeminent devotional Bible commentator. ''Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible'' as it is commonly called, was used by many who helped to bring about the  [[First Great Awakening]] in the 1700s.  Henry's commentary stands in enduring contrast to the ethos of [[liberal Christianity]] against the [[Bible]] - its author, its purity, its infallibility - and about the divinity of [[Jesus Christ]], which even then was being promoted in certain educational institutions.   

==Life==

==Life==

Matthew Henry was born in Broad Oak, near Bangor Iscoed, Flintshire, on October 18, 1662, being the second son of pastor Phillip Henry, and his wife Katherine. Just prior to Matthew's birth his father had been ejected from his pastorate in the Established Church. The Act of Uniformity had come into effect on August 24, 1662, which was in radical opposition to things which Puritans such as Philip Henry stood for. Along with nearly two thousand other ministers, Phillip could not in good conscience submit to such. Endeavoring to "Train up a child in the way he should go", Prov 22:6) Matthew was primarily [[homeschooled]] by his father, and for a time by a Mr. William Turner, and later at the Thomas Doolittle academy.  

Matthew Henry was born in Broad Oak, near Bangor Iscoed, Flintshire, [[England]], on October 18, 1662, being the second son of pastor Phillip Henry, and his wife Katherine. Just prior to Matthew's birth his father had been ejected from his pastorate in the Established Church. The Act of Uniformity had come into effect on August 24, 1662, which was in radical opposition to things which Puritans such as Philip Henry stood for. Along with nearly two thousand other ministers, Phillip could not in good conscience submit to such. Endeavoring to "Train up a child in the way he should go", Prov 22:6) Matthew was primarily [[homeschooled]] by his father, and for a time by a Mr. William Turner, and later at the Thomas Doolittle academy.  

Being born prematurely, during his childhood Matthew seems to have suffered from a weak constitution, but which was compensated for by spiritual vigor. It is reported that some credible evidence indicates that Matthew could read parts of the Bible at only three years old.

Being born prematurely, during his childhood Matthew seems to have suffered from a weak constitution, but which was compensated for by spiritual vigor. It is reported that some credible evidence indicates that Matthew could read parts of the Bible at only three years old.

The congregation over which Henry shepherded increased to more than 350 members. Other churches sought him to be as their minister, with Henry refusing calls during a nine year period (1699 to 1708) from four London congregations, as well as one in Manchester. However, a renewed call in 1710 by one church in Hackney, London which Henry refused in 1699, resulted in much prayerful consideration by Henry and meetings between him and church leadership. Henry ultimately was persuaded this call was God's perfect will, writing down in mid-July, 1711, eleven reasons he believed God was leading him to London.  

The congregation over which Henry shepherded increased to more than 350 members. Other churches sought him to be as their minister, with Henry refusing calls during a nine year period (1699 to 1708) from four London congregations, as well as one in Manchester. However, a renewed call in 1710 by one church in Hackney, London which Henry refused in 1699, resulted in much prayerful consideration by Henry and meetings between him and church leadership. Henry ultimately was persuaded this call was God's perfect will, writing down in mid-July, 1711, eleven reasons he believed God was leading him to London.  

A primary reason for this decision was that it enabled a much wider door opportunity to minister. (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9) In addition, Henry  was now working on his extensive commentary on the Word of God, and London provided superior access to printers and libraries.  

A primary reason for this decision was that it enabled a much wider door opportunity to minister. (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9) In addition, Henry  was now working on his extensive commentary on the [[Word of God]], and London provided superior access to printers and libraries.  

==Literary works==

==Literary works==

In addition to the many non-conformist ministers attending his funeral were others from  different denominations, with a universal respect being paid to him, even by those who were opposed to the "dissenters."  But the attempts to silence the pious non-conformists continued, as in the same year the British parliament elected to suppress the schools of the dissenters,<ref>http://www.history-perspective.com/matthew_henry.html</ref> those who in good consciousness would not submit to liberal views on the Bible, but overall sought "hold fast to the form of sound words" (1Tim. 1:13)  On which Henry commented,  

In addition to the many non-conformist ministers attending his funeral were others from  different denominations, with a universal respect being paid to him, even by those who were opposed to the "dissenters."  But the attempts to silence the pious non-conformists continued, as in the same year the British parliament elected to suppress the schools of the dissenters,<ref>http://www.history-perspective.com/matthew_henry.html</ref> those who in good consciousness would not submit to liberal views on the Bible, but overall sought "hold fast to the form of sound words" (1Tim. 1:13)  On which Henry commented,  

 

:Adhere to it in opposition to all heresies and false doctrine, which corrupt the Christian faith... But how must it be held fast? In faith and love; that is, we must assent to it as a faithful saying, and bid it welcome as worthy of all acceptation. Hold it fast in a good heart,.. Faith and love must go together; it is not enough to believe the sound words, and to give an assent to them, but we must love them, believe their truth and love their goodness, and we must propagate the form of sound words in love; speaking the truth in love, Eph_4:15.<ref>Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible</ref>

Adhere to it in opposition to all heresies and false doctrine, which corrupt the Christian faith... But how must it be held fast? In faith and love; that is, we must assent to it as a faithful saying, and bid it welcome as worthy of all acceptation. Hold it fast in a good heart,.. Faith and love must go together; it is not enough to believe the sound words, and to give an assent to them, but we must love them, believe their truth and love their goodness, and we must propagate the form of sound words in love; speaking the truth in love, Eph_4:15.<ref>Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible</ref>

</blockquote>

After Henry passed on, the rest of the New Testament was prepared by thirteen nonconformist preachers. George Burder and John Hughes edited the complete edition of 1811, 4 to 6 volumes, which provides more material from Henry's manuscripts.<ref>[http://www.eaec.org/faithhallfame/matthewhenry.htm Faith Hall of Fame; Matthew Henry] European-American Evangelistic Crusades</ref><ref>[http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bhenry2.html Matthew Henry: Minister and Bible Commentator] Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org from Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1891.</ref>  

After Henry passed on, the rest of the New Testament was prepared by thirteen nonconformist preachers. George Burder and John Hughes edited the complete edition of 1811, 4 to 6 volumes, which provides more material from Henry's manuscripts.<ref>[http://www.eaec.org/faithhallfame/matthewhenry.htm Faith Hall of Fame; Matthew Henry] European-American Evangelistic Crusades</ref><ref>[http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bhenry2.html Matthew Henry: Minister and Bible Commentator] Stephen Ross for WholesomeWords.org from Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1891.</ref>  

While not being a work of real technical analysis of texts, for which Henry recommended Poole's ''Synopsis,'' Henry's  "Exposition" is supremely devotional, and reveals an amazing richness of spiritual understanding and practical suggestion.  "The author betrays a remarkable fertility of practical suggestion and, although the work is diffuse, it contains rich stores of truths, which hold the attention by their quaint freshness and aptness, and feed the spiritual life by their Scriptural unction."  Out of a seeming obscure verse Henry can bring to light a deep truth and fitting application. Robert Hall, George Whitefield, and Charles Spurgeon all used and heartily commended the work, with Whitefield reading it through four times - the last time on his knees.<ref>http://www.tlogical.net/biohenry.htm</ref>  Spurgeon stated, " Every minister ought to read it entirely and carefully through once at least." (Commenting and Commentaries, p. 3).

While not being a work of real technical analysis of texts, for which Henry recommended Poole's ''Synopsis,'' Henry's  "Exposition" is supremely devotional, and reveals an amazing richness of spiritual understanding and practical suggestion.  "The author betrays a remarkable fertility of practical suggestion and, although the work is diffuse, it contains rich stores of truths, which hold the attention by their quaint freshness and aptness, and feed the spiritual life by their Scriptural unction."  Out of a seeming obscure verse Henry can bring to light a deep truth and fitting application. Robert Hall, George Whitefield, and Charles Spurgeon all used and heartily commended the work, with Whitefield reading it through four times - the last time on his knees.<ref>http://www.tlogical.net/biohenry.htm</ref>  Spurgeon stated, " Every minister ought to read it entirely and carefully through once at least." (Commenting and Commentaries, p. 3).

Henry held to a moderate  form of Calvinism, and his congregations found in him a mediating influence between extremes, which sometimes led to charges of compromise,<ref>By H. D. Roberts, ''Matthew Henry and His Chapel 1662-1900''</ref> while other wish he were liberal.

Henry held to a moderate  form of Calvinism, and his congregations found in him a mediating influence between extremes, which sometimes led to charges of compromise,<ref>By H. D. Roberts, ''Matthew Henry and His Chapel 1662-1900''</ref> while other wished he were liberal.

A study by the American scholar David Crump, revealed that Henry’s exposition provided a substantial influence for many of Whitefield’s sermons.

A study by the American scholar David Crump, revealed that Henry’s exposition provided a substantial influence for many of Whitefield’s sermons.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://books.google.com/books?id=tKoXAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA75&dq=Matthew+Henry+biography++early+life+and+entrance&num=50#v=onepage&q=&f=false The life of Matthew Henry]

*[http://books.google.com/books?id=tKoXAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA75&dq=Matthew+Henry+biography++early+life+and+entrance&num=50#v=onepage&q=&f=false The life of Matthew Henry]

[[Category:Clergy]]

[[Category:Clergy]]