Matthew Henry

Explore the life of Matthew Henry (1662–1714), English nonconformist minister and Bible commentator, his devotional approach to Scripture, key works, and powerful quotes that still inspire readers.

Introduction

Matthew Henry is one of the most beloved figures in Protestant devotional theology. Though he lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, his careful, pastoral, and devotional commentary on the Bible has remained in use for centuries. His commitment to applying Scripture to daily life, rather than merely to academic exegesis, has caused his works to be treasured by pastors, lay believers, and students of the Bible alike.

Early Life and Family

Matthew Henry was born on October 18, 1662, at Broad Oak, a farmhouse on the border of Flintshire and Shropshire (on the Wales–England fringe).

His father, Philip Henry, was a Church of England cleric who, in the same year of Matthew’s birth, had been ejected from his parish under the Act of Uniformity 1662 because he refused to conform to the required liturgy. Because of that, the Henry family lived somewhat on the margins religiously, which influenced Matthew’s later nonconformist stance.

From childhood, Matthew was frail in health but showed precocious learning. He was taught largely at home by his father and early tutors (one named William Turner), and by age nine he was already writing in Latin and reading parts of the Greek New Testament.

When he was 18, he went to London to be tutored by Thomas Doolittle (a nonconformist minister), and later studied at Gray’s Inn (a legal institution), though he eventually abandoned law in favor of theology.

Ministry and Work

Ordination & Ministry in Chester

In 1686, Matthew Henry was invited to establish a Nonconformist congregation in Chester, England. He was ordained on May 9, 1687 by a group of Nonconformist ministers and took up the pastoral charge there.

Under his leadership, the congregation grew, and by 1699 a new meeting house was built. He also traveled to surrounding towns, preaching and lecturing frequently. His reputation as a powerful and approachable preacher spread.

Move to Hackney & Later Years

In 1712, Henry accepted an invitation to serve a congregation in Hackney, London, relocating closer to publishing centers and to expand his preaching reach. There he continued preaching, writing, and lecturing in the environs (Rotherhithe, Wapping, etc.).

However, his health was strained by his demanding schedule. In June 1714, while traveling from Chester to London, he was thrown from his horse (though he insisted on continuing) and later died of apoplexy on 22 June 1714 at Nantwich.

Literary Work & Theology

Exposition of the Old and New Testaments

Matthew Henry’s magnum opus is his six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments (sometimes called Commentary on the Whole Bible).

He began publishing his commentary after 1704. At his death, the portions covering Romans to Revelation were completed by thirteen fellow ministers, relying partly on his sermon notes and manuscripts.

The commentary is devotional in tone, verse-by-verse, aiming not merely to explain but to exhort, to draw out spiritual application, and to feed the heart.

His approach favored the "plain and needful truths" over speculative or arcane theology.

Other Writings & Genres

Beyond his commentary, Henry authored various devotional, catechetical, and homiletic works:

• The Communicant’s Companion

• Directions for Daily Communion with God

• A Method for Prayer

• Scripture-Catechism and many sermons and lectures

His writings show a consistent concern with prayer, practical holiness, and helping believers live out the Scripture.

Historical & Religious Context

Matthew Henry lived in a time when the Church of England was trying to enforce uniformity, and nonconformists (those dissenting from the established church) faced legal and social pressures. His father’s ejection from ministry shaped the environment into which Matthew was born.

The rise of the Nonconformist movement, and the later Evangelical revivals, would draw heavily on figures like Henry, with preachers such as George Whitefield and Charles Wesley quoting him.

His devotional style made him a bridge between Puritan exegetical rigor and pastoral accessibility.

Legacy and Influence

• Longevity of Use: His commentary is still widely read, reprinted, and quoted by pastors, Bible students, and devotional readers.

• Influence on Revival Preachers: Spurgeon, Whitefield, and Wesley all held Henry’s works in esteem and recommended their study.

• Devotional Expository Model: His method of combining explanation + application set a standard for devotional commentaries.

• Ecumenical Reach: Although a “dissenting” minister, his works cross denominational lines, being used in many Protestant contexts.

• Popular Quotations: Some of his memorable lines on marriage, prayer, and holiness remain widely quoted in religious literature today.

Famous Quotes of Matthew Henry

Here are selected quotes attributed to Matthew Henry:

“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.”

“Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.”

“Prayer is the midwife of mercy, that helps to bring it forth.”

“He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave.”

“Whatever we have of this world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts, lest it come between us and Christ.”

“Hypocrites do the devil's drudgery in Christ's livery.”

“The Bible is a letter God has sent to us; prayer is a letter we send to him.”

Lessons from Matthew Henry

1. Biblical truth + daily life
   His example shows that theological depth need not be divorced from practical Christian living.

2. Devotion and consistency
   Henry’s disciplined habit of sermon preparation, reading, and application underscores the importance of spiritual disciplines.

3. Integrity in adversity
   Born into a marginalized family of dissenters, he did not recoil from difficulties but upheld consistency in conviction.

4. Serve through writing and speaking
   He combined pulpit ministry with careful writing so his influence would extend beyond his immediate congregation.

5. Humility & pastoral heart
   His style is not showy or esoteric, but grounded, warm, and intended to build up rather than merely to display erudition.

Conclusion

Matthew Henry stands as a luminous figure in Protestant spiritual literature: a pastor whose heart was for souls, a commentator whose pen made Scripture live, and a model of devotion that bridges centuries. His life reminds us that theological depth and pastoral warmth can go hand in hand, and that the truths of God, when applied with care and faith, continue to nourish generations.