Philippians: Parallel Bible Commentaries from Matthew Henry, John Wesley, and Robert Jamieson: Study God’s Word Chapter by Chapter Alongside Great Theologians (Essential Bible Commentary)

We invite you to study Philippians with us! Matthew Henry (1662–1714) was a Nonconformist minister and author who was born in Wales, but spent much of his life in England. Henry's commentaries are primarily exegetical, dealing with the scripture text as presented, with his prime intention being explanation, for practical and devotional purposes. Henry's Exposition gives the result of a critical account of the original as of his time, with practical application. It was considered sensible and stylish, a commentary for devotional purposes. Famous evangelical Protestant preachers such as George Whitefield and Charles Spurgeon used and heartily commended the work, with Whitefield reading it through four times – the last time on his knees. Spurgeon said that "[e]very minister ought to read it entirely and carefully through once at least.”
John Wesley (1703–1791) was an Anglican cleric and theologian who, with his brother Charles and fellow cleric George Whitefield, founded Methodism. Wesley wrote, edited or abridged some 400 publications. As well as theology he wrote about music, marriage, medicine, abolitionism and politics. Wesley was a logical thinker and expressed himself clearly, concisely and forcefully in writing. His written sermons are characterized by spiritual earnestness and simplicity. They are doctrinal but not dogmatic. His Forty-Four Sermons and the Notes on the New Testament are Methodist doctrinal standards. Wesley was a fluent, powerful and effective preacher; he usually preached spontaneously and briefly, though occasionally at great length.
Robert Jamieson (1802–1880) was a minister at St. Paul’s Church, Provanmill in Glasgow. Andrew Fausset (1821–1910) was rector of St. Cuthbert’s Church in York. David Brown (1803–1897) was a Free Church of Scotland minister at St. James, Glasgow, and professor of theology at Free Church College of the University of Aberdeen. The writers described their work as a “humble effort to make Scripture expound itself” and prayed:
May the Blessed Lord who has caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, bless this ... effort ... and make it an instrument towards the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints, to the glory of His great name and the hastening of His kingdom! Amen.