Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament: Matthew to Acts/Romans to Revelation (2 Volumes)

Description

Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament: Matthew to Revelation by John Wesley is a seminal 18th-century biblical commentary and translation. First published in 1755, it emerged during Wesley’s convalescence from severe illness in 1753–1754, a period that halted his itinerant preaching and allowed focused scholarly work.

Translation Approach
Wesley’s New Testament translation modernized the King James Version (KJV), making over 12,000 minor revisions to update archaic language. He prioritized clarity for lay readers, often replacing “shall” with “will” to align with Methodist theology’s emphasis on free will over predestination. His work drew from Greek manuscripts, particularly Johann Albrecht Bengel’s critical texts, and influenced later translations like the Revised Version.

Commentary Structure and Sources
The commentary aimed to be accessible and ecumenical, avoiding sectarian bias. Wesley synthesized insights from four Calvinist authors—Bengel, Philip Doddridge, John Guyse, and John Heylyn—while omitting their predestination arguments to reflect his Arminian views. Key features include:

Historical context: Explanations of Jewish institutions (e.g., the Sanhedrin) and religious groups like the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Exegetical restraint: Avoidance of Wesley’s hallmark doctrine of Christian perfection, focusing instead on practical spirituality.

Influence and Legacy
Wesley’s Notes became foundational for Methodism, offering a bridge between academic theology and lay understanding. The commentary’s structure—grouping books into thematic sections (e.g., Revelation’s seven churches, seals, and trumpets)—emphasized eschatological hope and Christ’s ultimate victory. Later editions (1759, 1787) refined the text, and a standalone translation was published in 1790.

Though initially a New Testament work, Wesley’s Explanatory Notes later expanded into a “Complete Bible Commentary” by incorporating abridged Old Testament insights from Matthew Henry and Matthew Poole. Its enduring readability and theological balance cement its status as a classic of Protestant exegesis.