Matthew is most famous for his extensive verse by verse study of the entire Bible’s Old Testament, the Complete Commentary. His main purpose of writing this commentary was for devotional purposes. Many of the best known ministers across the world have read this and believe it to be one of the best works of its kind. Matthew was also a Presbyterian minister for many years and frequently visited his local prison to minister.
82
The flower of youth never appears more beautiful than when it bends toward the sun of righteousness.
- Matthew Henry
81
What we count the ills of life are often blessings in disguise, resulting in good to us in the end. Though for the present not joyous but grievous, yet, if received in a right spirit, they work out fruits of righteousness for us at last.
- Matthew Henry
79
The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks.
- Matthew Henry
78
Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ's wounds are thy healings, His agonies thy repose, His conflicts thy conquests, His groans thy songs, His pains thine ease, His shame thy glory, His death thy life, His sufferings thy salvation.
- Matthew Henry
77
Christ died He left a will in which He gave His soul to His Father, His body to Joseph of Arimathea, His clothes to the soldiers, and His mother to John. But to His disciples, who had left all to follow Him, He left not silver or gold, but something far better - His PEACE!
- Matthew Henry
76
It is common for those that are farthest from God, to boast themselves most of their being near to the Church.
- Matthew Henry
75
Seducers are more dangerous enemies to the church than persecutors.
- Matthew Henry
74
The devil visits idle men with his temptations. God visits industrious men with His favors.
- Matthew Henry
73
Woman was taken out of man; not out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled underfoot; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.
- Matthew Henry
72
Those that boast most of the religion may be suspected of partiality and hypocrisy in it.
- Matthew Henry
71
By the light of nature we see God as a God above us, by the light of the law we see Him as a God against us, but by the light of the gospel we see Him as Emmanuel, God with us.
- Matthew Henry
69
An active faith can give thanks for a promise, though it be not as yet performed; knowing that God's bonds are as good as ready money.
- Matthew Henry
68
The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved by him.
- Matthew Henry
67
Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth.
- Matthew Henry
66
All the grace contained in [the Bible] is owing to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; and, unless we consent to Him as our Lord we cannot expect any benefit by Him as our Savior.
- Matthew Henry
64
That which is won ill, will never wear well, for there is a curse attends it which will waste it. The same corrupt dispositions which incline men to sinful ways of getting, will incline them to the like sinful ways of spending.
- Matthew Henry
63
If men's religion prevails not to conquer and cure the wickedness of their hearts, it shall not always serve for a cloak. The day is coming when hypocrites will be stripped of their fig-leaves.
- Matthew Henry
62
None can know their election but by their conformity to Christ; for all who are chosen are chosen to sanctification.
- Matthew Henry
61
If we would be angry and not sin (says one), we must be angry at nothing but sin; and we should be more jealous for the glory of God than for any interest or reputation of our own.
- Matthew Henry
60
When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence.
- Matthew Henry
59
Idleness gives great advantage to the tempter. Standing waters gather filth.
- Matthew Henry
58
God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event.
- Matthew Henry
57
If the solemnities of our fasting, though frequent, long, and severe, do not serve to put an edge upon devout affections, to quicken prayer, to increase Godly sorrow, and to alter the temper of our minds, and the course of our lives, for the better, they do not at all answer the intention, and God will not accept them as performed to Him.
- Matthew Henry
55
If therefore our houses be houses of the Lord, we shall for that reason love home, reckoning our daily devotion the sweetest of our daily delights; and our family-worship the most valuable of our family-comforts... A church in the house will be a good legacy, nay, it will be a good inheritance, to be left to your children after you.
- Matthew Henry
54
The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity.
- Matthew Henry
52
He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave.
- Matthew Henry
51
Goodness makes greatness truly valuable, and greatness make goodness much more serviceable.
- Matthew Henry
50
The more we accommodate ourselves to plain things, and the less we indulge in those artificial delights which gratify pride and luxury, the nearer we approach to a state of innocency.
- Matthew Henry
49
We are too apt to rest in a bare profession of faith, and to think that this will save us; it is a cheap and easy religion to say, "We believe in the articles of the Christian faith;" but it is a great delusion to imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven.
- Matthew Henry
48
Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life, or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.
- Matthew Henry
47
I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life; third, although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed.
- Matthew Henry
46
We read of preaching the Word out of season, but we do not read of praying out of season, for that is never out of season.
- Matthew Henry
45
The frequent requiring and using of oaths, is a poor reflection on Christians, who should be of such acknowledged fidelity, as that their sober words should be as sacred as their solemn oaths.
- Matthew Henry
42
It is more to the honor of a Christian by faith to overcome the world, than by monastical vows to retreat from it; more for the honor of Christ to serve him in the city, than to serve him in the cell.
- Matthew Henry
41
Absalom, who was a fool, wished himself a judge; Solomon, who was a wise man, trembles at the undertaking, and suspects his own fitness for it. The more knowing and considerate men are, the better they are acquainted with their own weakness, and the more jealous of themselves.
- Matthew Henry
40
The Scriptures were written, not to make us astronomers, but to make us saints.
- Matthew Henry
39
Though we cannot by our prayers give God any information, yet we must by our prayers give him honor.
- Matthew Henry
38
You may as soon find a living man who does not breathe, as a living Christian who does not pray.
- Matthew Henry
37
The saints are God's jewels, highly esteemed by and dear to him; they are a royal diadem in his hand.
- Matthew Henry
36
To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.
- Matthew Henry
33
The worse men are, the less they are bound by oaths; the better they are, the less there is need for them. Our Lord does not enjoin the precise terms wherein we are to affirm or deny, but such a constant regard to truth as would render oaths unnecessary.
- Matthew Henry