The brief life of Matthew Henry

 

 Matthew Henry was born into the family of godly home of Philip and Katharine Henry at Broad-Oat, in October 18, 1662. He was brought up with all the advantages of a Christian home and family. He showed such an aptitude for learning that he was able to read the bible at the age of three. At age eleven, he became converted after listening to his father speaking on the text, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalms 51:17). He could not be admitted into the conventional schools because the co-conformists were excluded from Oxford and Cambridge in his days. So, he did most of his studies at home. He learned Latin, Greek, Hebrew and French languages.

He preached his first sermon at a local meeting in Broad-Oat; there he quickly recognized that preached the gospel was the call of God upon

his life. He prepared himself with great thoroughness for the work of the gospel.

He soon began to receive invitations to preach in towns such as Chester and Nantwich. In May1687, he agreed to become the pastor of a congregation in Chester.

For twenty-five years, Matthew Henry devoted himself to proclaiming the gospel in Chester at every opportunity. In addition to conducting two services on Sunday and two meetings during the week, he frequently preached in the neighboring villages and to the prisoners in Chester Castle. His faithful exposition of the scriptures was richly blessed during these years as God opened a wider region for his ministry. He was invited to hold monthly meetings at Wrexham and Beeston, and to preach in many towns and cities including London. He suffered several severe adversities, but did not allow any of that to deter his zeal and service to the Lord.

Towards the end of 1704, at forty two years old, he began to gather together the vast amount of notes and writings which he had made on the Bible during his ministry. These form his Commentary on the Bible

In June 174, while on his way to Chester and Nantwich on a preaching tour, he fall from his horseback at Tarporley and was taken to the house of a neighboring minister where he died the following day.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on the Bible is still an indispensable work of reference for preachers and Christians today.

CHALLENGE:

More than 200 years after his death, Matthew Henry’s works are still as valuable as they were when he was alive. You will only be remembered by what you have done.